Book signing tips for authors

Organizing book signings, readings and public appearances is a vital element of an author s marketing campaign as well as an influencer on the author s level of success. Now think of your target audience your niche and where the most relevant location is to reach this audience. I am having my first book signing, what should i do. Here are some tips for setting up bookstore signings and. Posted 12122017, by judith briles the book shepherd. For a book nerd, an author book signing is no small prospect. However, you cant expect the venue to do all the promotional work. Inperson appearances by authors can be among the essential elements of book marketing. Keep it brief you cant go wrong with something concise, but still meaningful. You may pick up top tips and inspiration by seeing an experienced master in action or equally be given a clear lesson in what not to do, as the following example conveys. Book signings, especially in your local market, create awareness about your book, let you, as an author, interact with fans, and enhance your book publicity efforts.

Get 20 effective book marketing tips and tactics that will help you sell more books and make more money as a selfpublishing author. Author signing basics how to plan and run a successful. But thinking through what pen to use, what to write, and how to interact with readers can made the experience more successful sales and more fun. To help you hone your signing process as your selfpublishing career advances, attend other authors book signing events whenever you can. I should add that i write the date all the way out, which is in keeping with the style of the book, so it did make a. Book signings are rare facetoface moments where you contact with your readers to help build a lasting relationship. You can have the shop laminate the poster and put them on a poster board. But as everyone the store, the publisher, you the author benefits from a successful book signing, it behooves you to help spread the word by letting your own networks know about the appearance. Book signings take time, especially if the author has a large audience attending the event.

Here are some tips and suggestions that have helped me increase the number of books sold at a book signing. But you can solve such problem by following these tips for a successful book signing. Half or more of published books are now selfpublished. After all, you want to respect the time of the author, all the other readers in line, and the people who are working the event. Here are some simple tips to help you prepare to autograph your books. Over the past month, ive received emails from two newlypublished authors who have upcoming book signing events. Whats more is that we may find planning a book signing event intimidating. Youll be happy to know that we use your book signing tips page extensively. Success depends on attending carefully to every detail related to the event from the timing. I lost my book signing virginity in a room with two hundred other authors. Authors often ask me for book signing event advice. Book signing tips for new authors eliteonlinepublishing best selling author, blog, self publishing october 2, 2017 1 comment.

Book signings are rare facetoface moments where you contact with. For my next post, ill switch hats and talk about what the bookseller can do. Bookstores appeal to a broad segment of the public and allow you to build relationships with local bookstore owners. This could include banners, posterseven a billboard if you had the budget for it. By far the most common place to sign a book is on the title page. I thought she would talk about something behind the scenes, or tell us something we would like to know but didnt know we.

Top tips on how selfpublished authors can build better relationships with. Return to public speaking printmobilefriendly version. The book signing, like so many other elements of the publishing industry, is evolving into something new, different, and better. Each book store has its own distinctive personality. Most authors write a second book and wouldnt it be great to contact the buyers of the first book.

Put the signing on your author website, promote it on your facebook page, tweet it to your followers. For book authors, readings any event or appearance where youll also be signing books can be an important part of your book marketing campaign. Ten tips for tackling book signingsand other helpful. A few weeks ago there was a book signing event i was incredibly excited to attend.

Attending your first group of authors book signing. So no matter what, make sure that moment you have talking to them personally, signing their book or taking that picture, is a good. You should be coordinating with the store to actively promote your book signing. I like to sign my books on the title page, which is where most books are autographed, though you can also sign the inside cover. The indie authors guide to organizing author events. Author kathy joyce positively enjoys signing books for her fans. This article is for authors, about how to autograph your book, something that seems so simple yet is fraught with many questions, like what do i write. Kamb eschewed a typical book signing for a light saber battle on the lawn of austins capitol building, even getting a state congressman. Recently a new author asked me how she should handle. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Book signing checklist infographic page 1 see more.

Waiting in your seat before the event begins is a given. Here is a look at irs guidelines for book authors for hobbyist vs. She insisted i do my first book signing in her store. Book signings give readers the chance to ask authors questions and get their favorite books signed. Experienced authors chimed in with several pointers that vociferously churn. Make sure to click through to get tips on what to do after your book signing. Tips to ensure your book signing is a success author marketing.

You wrote a great book, now it is time to market the hell out of it. Author essential tips how to autograph books book shepherd. Fiction authors sometimes use free short stories or free novels. Lead magnets are incentives you offer readers in exchange for signing up to your mailing list. Book signing is the affixing of a signature to the title page or flyleaf of a book by its author. Author book signing tips by sandra beckwith download full pdf nearly every aspect of the book publishing industry including the traditional book signing and reading is evolving into something different and more interactive. Its like throwing a party and being certain no one will come. This is one of the ways that an author connects to the reader is by making the book signing a unique and an enjoyable experience. Your position when planning an event is to sell to the public that you are the author, this is the book and here is where you can find it. When you have only a minute or less to talk to someone you admire, every word counts. Signage for example, to announce your book signing and display costs. Waiting on a line for your book to be signed will also occur. Tips and tools for bookselling success hoenig, carol on. While stores and publishers can help set up book signing events, authors typically need to take the lead.

You probably have no clue what happens at a book signing event. My signing was at a bookstore in palo alto, california on a thursday evening in june of 1981. Book promotion resources and youll also receive the free weekly build book buzz newsletter loaded with book marketing tips and advice. Its understandable why most authors fail at marketing their books though, in the end, they are. Over the years, ive learned a few book signing conversation tips.

How to host a successful book signing westbow press. There are, however, a few tried and true tips to ensure the success of your signing and readingleading ultimately to added success for your career. As a new published author, i had no idea how i should handle autographing my books at my first books signing. While i do not attempt to do all of the suggested tips at every signing, it is important to adapt as many. Being able to offer a book plate on the spot has pleased folks. I still get nervous about the facetoface meetings, but over the years, ive learned a few book signing conversation tips. In some cases, you may want to sign the front cover. If you can, write your name on a postit note and stick it on the title page of your book for authors to know who to sign the book to. Ill never forget my debut appearance as a blushing newbie author.

Book signing tips part 4 of 4 authors and speakers network. While there are no hardandfast industry standards for these events, we at selfpublishing relief have put together a practical checklist to maximize the fan base appeal and marketing potential of your next selfpublished book signing event. That still works for sarah palin, but not the rest of us. Tips to ensure your book signing is a success author. Here are some helpful tips to make autographing and book signings more enjoyable and productive. A book signing is a great way to connect with your readers and promote your latest book. Even if the signing is in an unfamiliar place, friends of friends might help spread the word. Set your stage use creativity when exploring your options for the venue of your book signing. Book signing tips and how tos for beginners book riot.

We have a department solely dedicated to helping authors promote their books, and we always refer your page to authors whenever they have questions about what they can do to make their book signing better. In this blog post, well discuss what you can do to ensure that your book signing is a success. Provide tips for brilliant social media marketing that. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading author signing basics how to plan and run a successful book. Many are my own, and some were suggested by other author friends. Book signings are events, usually at a bookstore or library, where an. Theres nothing more exciting than getting the chance to attend a book signing and meet an author you love. Since im an author who also owns a bookstore, ive been on both sides of the book signing game. While on the road, ive been jotting down more ideas that arent in my 14 book signing tips for authors, and ive already done one blog post from the road.

Book signings allow authors to make personal connections with readers, which is what makes them worth doing. Author signing basics how to plan and run a successful book event at a library, festival, fair, or con author s essentials series 7 kindle edition by shea, lisa. Make enlargements of your book cover at a local copy shop. Today, id like to talk about what an author can do to make book signings more successful. Adventures in trying to find a simple answer to my question. Gone are the days when authors can sit at a bookstore table and sign book after book. Established and emerging authors, nevertheless, are still actively engaged in promoting and selling their work by reading, signing, and speaking at bookstores, libraries, seminars, and all manner of creative locations, like theaters, clubs, restaurants, retail shops, and private homes. So youd think theyd have plenty to say about the book. Authors can even do them virtually, using webinars to address large audiences and authorgraph to sign their ebooks. I spent years signing posters after elementary school shows.

It seems like ive been writing a lot about book signings lately, most likely because my minibook tour has made me think about events more. For that i had to have a legible signature because it frustrated the kids, for whom reading was new, to be unable to read what id written. Preparing for a book signing sounds like a nobrainer. Author essential tips how to autograph books the book shepherd. They both wanted to know, where should i sign the book. You would think as an author of four books that i would have of plenty ideas. Dont be fooled by the smaller number, penny takes it back to whats truly important when marketing a book, starting with my alltime favourite tip, be consistent. Be sure to eat before the event begins to avoid getting hangry. Helpful tax deduction tips for writers the balance. At a traditional book publisher, when a book is sold in, the sales department is given information about the author s availability to booksellers. Essential book signing tips for authors to start out.