How to Set Up For Your Book Signing

The most important thing to remember in a book signing is that you aren't only selling the books; you are also selling yourself. Although book publishers publicize and market a book, there are things you can do to improve the sales of the book and garner interest in you as a writer that can help sell future books. Book signings are a partnership with the bookstore, so it is best to work with them as equals rather than acting the egotistical writer.

Things You'll Need

• Copies of the book
• Table
• Chair
• Pens
• Bottled water

Instructions

1. Contact bookstores in the area and arrange meetings with store owners and managers. Inquire about sales of books like yours and how your appearance can help sell both your book and others like it. Look at both large and small stores, and areas with high traffic sales. Discuss date and time options that coincide with times of high business or increased traffic like festivals or street fairs.

2. Promote the appearance everywhere you can think of. Arrange for the bookstore to display signs, posters and an advance selection of your book noting your upcoming appearance. Include small fliers in bags with every purchase.

3. Post information about the signing on the bookstore website, in customer authorized emails, and on your own blog. Arrange for an interview with a local newspaper or news program to discuss the book and mention the signing.

4. Arrange for the bookstore to have ample copies of the book, along with any other books you have written. If the bookstore won't order a very large amount, ask if you may sell your own copies as well in return for helping promote some other writer's books during the visit that the bookstore has on hand.

5. Create a signing location in the store close to the door to increase visibility as people enter, but away enough that you can have people around you without getting in the way of regular store business. Arrange the table with several copies of the book, but leave enough room for you to not look cluttered or surrounded. Get a comfortable chair, several signing pens and a few bottles of water to drink.

6. Walk the store at times when there is not much interest in the signing. This gives you an opportunity to go up to readers, see what they are reading and start up a potential sale.

Tips & Warnings

• Engage with everyone who comes to the table. Don't only push your book; inquire about their tastes to foster a relaxed dialogue.

• Avoid the hard sell. No one wants to feel forced to buy the book. If people come to talk and choose not to buy, give them the same attention and kindness you would an actual buyer.

References

• "Publicize Your Book: An Insider's Guide to Getting Your Book the Attention It Deserves"; Jacqueline Deval; 2008
• "1001 Ways to Market Your Books"; John Kremer; 2006