~Sign that Book! ~

I held my first big book signing party for Beneath the Skin yesterday. It was a lot of work and a lot of fun and a great success!

When I first planned my book signing, I did a lot of research and discovered that there is a great difference of opinion about the best way to launch a book. If you are thinking of hosting a book signing party for a new release, here are five things to consider.

ONE Where should you hold your book signing?

• Bookstore: The obvious place is a bookstore. But numerous writers described sitting for hours waiting for the odd customer to arrive. At the same time, people to visit bookstores are readers who are just waiting to discover you.
• Library: A library can also work, but again may not have a surfeit of customers.
• A Foodery: The next place is a coffee shop or friendly food venue. The problem here is not interfering with the venue’s business. At the same time, if food features at all in your book or especially if that particular business does, it may be the perfect tie in.
• A venue related to your book theme: Not interfering in a person’s livelihood is also true for a place that ties into your book. For example, since my book is about tattoo artists, I considered hosting in a tattoo shop or having a tattoo artist present something about their art. A horse riding stable might work for a western. A tea shop for a Regency. A planetarium for a sci fi. A local haunted house for a paranormal. If you have a good relationship with the owner, then these may be good choices.
• Your home: You can also hold the book signing at your home or a community center. The problem with this is you will need a lot help with food and entertainment if you are to concentrate on signing books. Advantages are that you have lots of time for pre-set up and you don’t have to lug your books around. You can also serve theme-related food more easily.
• Traffic: Wherever you hold your book signing, make sure you are in a high traffic area not in the back in the shadows. For mine, I set up right at the entrance to my house.

TWO Who will you invite?

• Friends: People who know you are a writer and who have heard about your trials and errors writing the book are you best supporters. Be sure to include them and encourage them to talk about your book with other visitors.
• Family: If you have supportive family members be sure to include them.
• Fellow writers: If you belong to a writing group or have friends who have published books. Invite them and then be sure to go to their events in turn.
• People who have already read your book (or previous books): If you have friends or relatives who have actually read the book and love it, make sure they share their enthusiasm in the crowd.
• The Press: If you personally know a reporter, then start there. If not send out press releases and hope for media coverage. Have a Press Kit made up and available on your website.
• Readers: Send announcements to local readers’ clubs and post notices in libraries and colleges. use Facebook, Twitter and any other social media venues you frequent.

THREE Once everyone arrives, what will happen?

• Book Reading followed by a question and answer period: This is a tried and true method, but is appealing only to die hard readers and writers.
• Video or Slide Show: If you have photos or video related to your book you may want to show these or have them running on a computer or screen during your signing.
• Panel Talk: Bring together experts who can talk about topics related to your book.
• Games: If the venue allows, consider simple book-themed party games such as BINGO, scavenger hunts, trivia, and I spy.
• Music: Consider having a musician play or play a recording of music that inspired you as you wrote the book.
• Food: Are there special dishes or foods in your book? Consider offering a sampling if the venue allows.
• A Book-Related Activity: Use your imagination and come up with an audience-participation event that will provide fun and relaxation. If your book is set in a particular historical period, you and your friends can dress up in clothing of that period. Guests might be given some inexpensive item like a paper hat, for example. (Oriental Trading is a good source for themed items. Novelties is another) Since graffiti played a role in my romantic suspense, my guests added their “tag” to our graffiti mural as they arrived.

FOUR How will you present your books?

• Appearance: Select a thematic color that goes with your book and get a tablecloth in that color. A large plastic tablecloth works wonders and can be reused many times. If possible, be sure it is long enough so you can hide your boxes and paraphernalia underneath. Add color coordinated accessories and signs. (Hint: Make up a book signing box or bag and store all your necessities ready to go at a moment’s notice. To make signs and books stand up easily use cheap metal book ends.)
• Dress your books: I ordered gold “signed by” stickers to put on the books. I think they were well worth the cost. They gave a nice finishing touch. (I ordered mine from Ninth Moon. They provided very personalized and quick service)
• Swag: Reward your visitors whether or not they buy a book with some special swag item such as a bookmark. In my case, I offered a custom temporary tattoo with the title of my book. To one side, I set up a table where they could cut it out and dip a little water on it to affix it. It’s great to have people wearing ads for your book.
• Buyers: When somebody buys your book, make sure they get an additional swag item such as an attractive pen.
• Super Buyers: Have something for people who buy multiple copies. In my case, I gave people who bought more than one copy a Mardi Gras type beaded necklace to wear which fit with the festive atmosphere and marked them as special. Buttons, wristbands, a cleverly-worded sticker, or even a live flower can also work.
• Door Prizes: Reward attendees by offering a few special door prizes. This is a good way to collect names and e-mails.
• Be Ready: Have yourself a comfortable chair and everything you need to sign your books (This is the voice of experience talking – I did craft fairs for many, many years). You may want to set aside a pen in a special color or ink and have a phrase or saying that you will use. Make sure to get the exact spelling of the person’s name. If needed, write it down before signing the actual book.

FIVE Don’t forget to market your book

• Make Contact: Live book signings are ideal for making direct contact with your potential readers. Take time to talk with each person. Tell interesting stories about yourself and how you came to write the book. Ask your buyers about themselves and what they like to read and store that information for possible follow up books.
• Collect Readers: Have a sign up sheet or some other way to collect names and e-mails and get people to subscribe to your newsletter. At my signing, I used the door prizes as a way to encourage people to sign up for my Readers Club.
• Encourage Reviews: Mention to buyers that if they love the book, would they consider posting a review online. In my case, I inserted a flyer with directions on how to actually post a review on Amazon. Most people had never posted one so they appreciated the directions.
• Record: Take photos to post on your website and in social media. Write down things that went well and things to improve for your next book signing party!

Have you given a book signing party?

How did it go?

What suggestions do you have?

Your comments are always appreciated.