by Guest Blogger, Shannon Cherry
When you get your book published, the next question most people ask is when will you be doing a book signing. Who wouldn’t want to increase their credibility and visibility by autographing books for a bunch of fans?
If it only were that easy.
For a publicity seeker, a book signing often is a lack-luster event. It focuses on the author, not person buying the book. It’s boring. And I hate to say it but you really need to know this: no one really cares, except for the author – and maybe the author’s mother.
But this doesn’t have to be the case. The answer is to generate this non-event into a real event. Use the following to help you create a sizzling book signing:
1. Put the customer first. You know who you wrote the book for – the target market for the book , now take advantage of it. So go where they are most likely to be. Make sure your event is in the section of the bookstore someplace your market shops.
2. Get away from a desk. Move about and have a discussion to your prospects. Discover out their needs and wants and offer particular ideas to help.
3. Give a short workshop – not a long lecture. Offer quick 20-minute workshops (which you can publicize in the media) based on your skill and use the book as a reference.
4. Make use of postcards to advertise. Postcards are a hot commodity when promoting a book. But again, think about the customer. Include a number of ideas or advice to the postcard to get them interested, after that inform them about the book signing.
5. Develop your own celebration. Pick any day and make it your own that relates to your book. For example, the authors of “Become Your Own Great & Powerful: A Woman’s Guide to Living Your Real, Big Life” (including me), got collectively and produced International Tiara Day, which celebrates every woman’s leadership capabilities to find her own path to success. Don’t forget to share this with the audience and journalists.
6. Give away some of your books. During every speech and every event, give at least one autographed copy of your book to a lucky participant. It creates good will, and who doesn’t want the chance to win something? By getting everyone’s contact details as part of the giveaway, you can use the information to build your list.
7. Don’t forget the book store employees. Books do not sell themselves. People sell books. It’s equally important to spend some of your time at your signing to schmooze with the people who take the money from the customers who buy your books. Get to know the staff at the bookstore. They can help you continue to promote your books long after you have gone.
About the Author:
Shannon Cherry is known as The Power Publicist. She helps small business owners, coaches, consultants and entrepreneurs create a powerful presence using low-cost, high impact publicity methods. To get Shannon’s Be Heard! free publicity power pack visit http://www.beheardsolutions.com
