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Gloria Marlow
Unity Member
Post Number:
1551
Registered: 04-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 24, 2005 - 09:44 pm: |   |
For all of you who have done booksignings:
What do you wear? What do you have on your table? What do you say? What do you write in the books? Do you give away candy or anything?
Do you put up flyers or somehow announce it?
I'm having one in August --- not at a bookstore. It's at a local gift shop. It was announced in the paper but I want to remind people. I don't want them to get sick of hearing about me, though.
It's the first one I've ever done and I'm feeling a little like a doofus already.
Thanks,
Gloria
Gloria
The Butterfly Game
Shades of Silence
Flowers for Megan (soon)
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Claudia Turner VanLydegraf
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
2250
Registered: 06-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, July 25, 2005 - 12:24 am: | |
when I had my signings, my situation was a bit different, as I did all six of them through the Borders chain in Calif and Reno, and they did the advertising for it. However, I did get an article in the local paper, sort of a weekly magazine that caters to the artsy and off beat stuff going on in the area, so they gave me a write-up, and I had the two local newspapers do a feature article on me and the book, and it was announced on one of the talk show radio stations, after I contacted them about what was going on, why and where.
As far as how to handle the signings, I mostly went dressed in good jeans (cause no one dresses up out here), pretty blouse or shirt, depending on where it was, heels or flats, according to preference on the day, hair fixed nicely, makeup done extra carefully. When I supplied my table, I used a oak TV tray, like for dinner in the living room, covered with a deep forest green lace and I had a pot of pretty pink silk flowers (mixed garden variety stuff) with my poster and pic stuck into it like leaves and a review or two enlarged, so people could read it from a few feet away. Had bookmarks that I made, business cards that I made, (all on my puter). I had all that stuff with me in the truck, even when the table was supplied, so in case I needed extra space, I could use the tv tray. In all but two places, they supplied a table and chair for me. I took cookies once, but the store didn't want me to give them out, and then I took little wrapped individual candies, like Brach's from the store, and gave them out of a dish that I took with me. Check with the store for what they think you should or shouldn't do, cause if they sell food there, they might not want you to bring anything in, or they might not want you to bring anything in cause of sticky/greasy fingers touching the other things that they sell. So check first and tell them what you are planning on doing to see if they approve or not.
As far as what to write, just depends on whether or not you talk to the person for any length of time and with my book, it was about a specific thing, so most of the people who bought it were friends who had seen the articles or school friends when I was down in the central valley, that hadn't seen me in a very long time and saw the articles in the papers, or people who had had some experience with adoption, so if we talked about adoption, then I wrote something like "I hope you find what you are searching for and needing" or
something like that, and my name and the date of the signing, so that they would have that as a reference, and sometimes I put the name of the store in there.
Don't just sit and be quiet, you have to talk up the book or the reason you are there, and get people interested in the story, you have to bring the people to your table, by your friendliness, as most people are rather reluctant to approach a table with an author sitting there. You may have to openly invite them to come talk to you. And above all, SMILE the biggest, friendliest smile you have ever smiled. It will come through and you will have made a friend. Don't be intimidated by the situation, because the fear will show through, if you are. Most of that is old hat to you, but remember it when you are there in the store, because that will take away the fear. Todd told us that he always/sometimes walks around the store and corrals people to come to his area and then he talks to them, but sometimes you can't walk around, because you have people scattered about and asking questions, or the store doesn't want you to. In the stores I was in (Borders) they announced over the loudspeaker that I was there and invited people over to my table. Some bookstore will place you at the front of the store, by the entrance, or a stack of newest books. Your gift shop may want you in a special area, so go to where they place you.
If you have a busy store, it is a lot of fun and you can talk to a lot of people and they will tell others about you and maybe send their friends to you. But there again, that is old hat to you and you will more than likely know some of the people coming to see/meet you.
Other than all the above, the best thing I can tell you is just to have fun with it and be as nice and natural as I know you are. And don't stress out over it, it is not that big a deal to worry about it. Just think of it as a fun afternoon sitting in a shop/mall/lunch place, talking to friends over a coke or something.
Good luck and you know you can write to me about anything that is scaring you. You will do great, have no fear.
Claudia
MINDSIGHT MODERATOR
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Todd Hunter
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
2649
Registered: 02-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, July 25, 2005 - 03:38 pm: | |
"What do you wear?"
Whatever you feel comfortable in...depending on the arrangements, you might have to stand around for quite a while (and that leads into a tip -- don't simply sit behind a table)
"What do you have on your table?"
Copies of the book, any assorted materials to give away (cards, bookmarks, etc.), and any articles or reviews the book (or in your case, what any of your books) has received.
"What do you say?"
This is tricky, since it depends on the situation. While at a art and book fair (Nancy and Laurel may recall), I would simply ask passers-by if they liked to read, and once they slowed to give an answer, I would follow up with asking what kind of books they liked to read (which would then tell you whether they would be interested in the book). If they would mention one of the genres we were selling, it was a good way to get them to come over to the table ("oh, well, if you like mysteries, you should really try out this book by Nancy Mehl")...
"What do you write in the books?"
I used to try and come up with little witty sayings, but that got really old, really quick. Now, I just use one phrase over and over (and actually borrowed it from Kathy's review she posted around the various book sites)... ;-)
"Do you give away candy or anything?"
I generally do, simply because it's a good way to redirect traffic over to your table. Individually wrapped candies are generally acceptable (I think stores may frown upon unwrapped or homemade items for the potential liability issues).
"Do you put up flyers or somehow announce it?"
Ask the store if you could put up some flyers in the window, if they haven't done so already. If the store is in, say, a strip mall, ask some of the other stores if they would allow you to do the same in their windows.
My personal opinion, after doing a few signings, is that pre-emptive marketing really doesn't work all that well. But having signs around the store may encourage people who frequent the store (or stores around the gift shop) to stop in on that day.
Most of your sales will probably be to people who just walk into the store...
"I'm having one in August --- not at a bookstore. It's at a local gift shop. It was announced in the paper but I want to remind people. I don't want them to get sick of hearing about me, though."
Repetition helps, but odds are that either not everyone saw the paper announcement, or will have forgotten about it before the signing. Flyers in windows is a good way to avoid the "sick of hearing" problem.
You might also see if the store would be willing to toss a flyer to advertise your signing in each bag...
"It's the first one I've ever done and I'm feeling a little like a doofus already."
I think you'll do just fine...
"Todd told us that he always/sometimes walks around the store and corrals people to come to his area and then he talks to them, but sometimes you can't walk around, because you have people scattered about and asking questions, or the store doesn't want you to."
Actually, I don't believe I ever strayed far from my table (though sometimes people with me would go into other areas of the store to drum up business), but I do tend to corral people as they walk by...or did, back in the day when I used to do booksignings. That's why I prefer being positioned near the front door, because then you're assured of meeting each person as they come in (when positioned in the middle of the store, people may make a point to avoid walking past, depending on the store layout).
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Laurel Johnson
Unity Member
Post Number:
3985
Registered: 01-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, July 25, 2005 - 05:27 pm: | |
Good luck, Gloria. I am the world's worst doofus in every way, especially at book signings, so won't try to give you any of my helpful tips. 
Laurel Johnson
Author: The Grass Dance
The Alley of Wishes
Color of Laughter, Color of Tears
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Mary Erickson
Wandering Member
Post Number:
216
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, July 26, 2005 - 06:50 pm: | |
I have a large 30 X 36 Poster of my book cover that I display on an easel, which costs about 30 bucks. Since this one wore out fast I'm now going for the $60 laminated sign, which I should be able to pass down to my children. I have a removable sign I tape on the bottom that says "Author signing - presentation and the date of the signing, which I take to the store a weeka before the signing. In addition, since my book is about investigation I bought a bunch of handcuffs and magnifying glasses at a dollar store that I give out to those who purchase a book. I have these prominently displayed, which brings curious people to the table. So far only one person chose the handcuffs (and I don't thin that was for her kid). Since I'm now out of magnifying glasses I'll push the handcuffs for the next signing. I also have postcards with the bookcover and a blurb about the book that I give out. Good luck on your signings.
www.merickson.org
www.behlerpublications.com |
Stacy Anderson
Wandering Member
Post Number:
175
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, July 27, 2005 - 12:05 am: | |
Gloria I've never done a booksigning but I think I can give tips since I've read a lot about them and I have been to some.
You said you don't want people to get sick of you? WRONG! Gloria you want them sick to death of you because it means they are hearing about you! Go with that exposure and ride it to the hilt! Think of Britney Spears, promotional hound. Look where it's gotten her right?
Gloria my number one complaint when I go to authors' booksignings is how they sit behind the tables and not even try to get your attention. You have to be exciting and do more than sit down. You need to run up to the people who come in, shake their hand and guide them over to your area. If you're sitting down it makes you look lazy and unconcerned. Gloria I have been in a bookstore where there was a signing and didn't know it. That's how much effort the author or store cared to put time into it. If the store has a speaker, make them announce your signing once every thirty minutes or an hour for the people in the store. This is your day. You are the star of the show. Demand the respect it takes to get things done. I'm not saying go in there with an attitude, LOL, but let the people who are handling things know how you want things set up. If you can play a little music in the background, do it! If you can think of any giveaways, do it. I would give fruit instead of candy personally. It shows that you are concerned about people's health, plus if they have children with them it's better to give fruit. You can also get a stack of autographed pictures of yourself and give them out with each book you sign. Have postcards and business cards ready to shove at them by the handful, LOL.
Gloria you should have your advertisement circulating more than once or people will forget about it. Put your flyers up where your audience hangs out. Good places are malls, bookstores, places that can catch a vast audience. If you can, see if your local radio host might shout out about your booksigning over the radio. A lot of them like to help out authors. They may even ask you for an interview before hand. Gloria you WANT people to be sick of you. Overexposure doesn't kill writers. It kills actors and singers but believe me it helps authors. Think of promotion as a lemon and drain it dry. Tell everyone you know about the signing, relatives, friends. Let them come. Some people say no to inviting relatives but if they pretend to not know you it works out well because other people will see them at your table and assume you're very popular. They will pop up to your table like a root before you know it just to be nosey. I would even greet the people in FRONT of the store. In fact, why not see if you can have your signing outside if you'll be in a place with nice weather. You can have it in front of the store under a nice little tent or with a little booth. You could have your flyers hanging up, some posters of your book and some blown-up photos of yourself. Something about being outside automatically makes people relax and they'll be very interested. If you have connections, use them. Some authors give away coupons to restaurants or clothing stores. They work out something with the store people and there you go. If you know someone who could hook you up with special rates for say, a gift certificate for customers, by all means do it! Pull out all the stops. If you can hire a clown, hire him. He can wave people off the street to where you are. Gloria, nothing is too much.
Now for clothes. You need to walk A LOT or else your signing will get stale. I would suggest nice flat shoes, no heels because you will regret it at the end of the day. No tight outfits. It not only sends off a bad image but you won't be comfortable if your skirt is so tight you can't sit down, LOL. Try some nice loose pants or a nice flimsy dress or skirt, depends on your style. Dump the overbearing jewelry. People don't want to hear you jingling all around the place, LOL. It's a distraction and if you're sitting up there with jewelry like Mr. T. it will look tacky. Tone down the perfume or don't wear it at all. You don't want to offend people with bad allergies. Wear flattering, soft make-up. You don't want to look like you're in J.Lo's latest video or doing a photo shoot for Playboy. I've seen some trashy dressed authors, Gloria. Besides you're already very pretty. You don't need a lot of make-up. Okay, I love to show cleavage, if you do too and plan to show some, keep it tasteful with just a little bit. Keep those boobs in. In other words, look professional but you can still look good.
Keep your table tidy, but have your promotional things in little neat stacks so that people can easily grab them off the table. I suggest sitting a picture of yourself up there too, besides just the ones you may autograph to give away. Have your photos autographed beforehand. You'll be busy autographing books. Have the photos where people can get them quickly. Have your drink handy. I suggest a straw in case you're nervous. You might tremble and spill something else. Have a mint or some gum to pop in your mouth in case you feel like your breath's getting crusty, LOL. If you're the type that gets really hungry then have some chips or something that won't make your breath stink or give you a stomach ache. Running to the toilet in the middle of a signing will be hard to explain. I suggest eat a heavy breakfast so you won't get hungry, depending on what time of day your signing is. Stay away from foods that give you gas. I wouldn't eat beans or chili before I go to a signing if I were you. I have heard embarrassing but funny stories about authors who ate something they shouldn't have and paid for it during the signing, LOL. Yep, there are a lot that goes into booksignings.
" What do you write in the books? "
Gloria the people will suggest what they want you to write. If what they say is too long just sign their name and yours. They'll understand. Some people expect you to write an entire page of dialogue. Just scribble a quick saying and that will have to be enough. If you don't have a lot of people at one time you can be lenient with people's suggestions but if you got a line you need to move quickly.
I hope this helps. I gave my tips not only as an author but as a person who's been to booksignings myself. All the ones I've been to were boring. I've also been in Borders when authors were there. Some of them were pathetic. They just sat at their table looking at the people who came in. They did absolutely nothing to bring interest. The store people ignored them too. A big waste of time. Make it the best it can be, Gloria.
Sorry about the long post but you needed the help right?
P.S. I suggest you schedule some online chats before you begin your signing. You can pass the word out during the sessions. It's great promotion and who knows, the chatters who interview you may go to your signing to get a book!
Stacy
http://www.stacy-deanne.net |
Todd Hunter
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
2654
Registered: 02-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, July 27, 2005 - 05:31 am: | |
"If the store has a speaker, make them announce your signing once every thirty minutes or an hour for the people in the store. This is your day. You are the star of the show. Demand the respect it takes to get things done. I'm not saying go in there with an attitude, LOL, but let the people who are handling things know how you want things set up."
Most stores will do some sort of announcement.
You may need to remind them to do so, but generally, if they've allowed you to do a signing, they'll want to promote it too...
"I would give fruit instead of candy personally. It shows that you are concerned about people's health, plus if they have children with them it's better to give fruit."
Except for the liability issues I mentioned earlier (unless you can find individually packaged fruit somewhere)...
"You can also get a stack of autographed pictures of yourself and give them out with each book you sign. Have postcards and business cards ready to shove at them by the handful, LOL."
Interesting...I've never thought of autographed pictures.
Of course, around these parts, people would probably give you funny looks if you handed them out... :-)
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LaurieAnne
Unity Member
Post Number:
2001
Registered: 12-2001
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, July 27, 2005 - 07:57 am: | |
Stacy,
That's a lot of great advice. I'm copying that information into my promo file for future reference.
LaurieAnne
www.authorsinkbooks.com
Available now:
THE BUTTERFLY GAME, Gloria Davidson Marlow ISBN 0-9722385-4-9
SHADES OF SILENCE, Gloria Davidson Marlow ISBN 0-9722385-6-5 |
Stacy Anderson
Wandering Member
Post Number:
176
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, July 27, 2005 - 12:56 pm: | |
Hi Gloria,
Because of health issues, just skip food altogether. I would go with other nice little trinkets you can give that will last a long time. I have my own Stacy-Deanne merchandise that I give fans who win my contest. I have my own baseball caps designed with my logo. I also give out autographed photos a lot. People will love an autograph photo, especially if they are already a fan and not just someone stopping by the signing. I get asked for photos all the time.
Stacy
http://www.stacy-deanne.net |
Todd Hunter
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
2660
Registered: 02-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, July 27, 2005 - 03:36 pm: | |
I'm just not photogenic...haha... ;-)
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Alphabeter
Wandering Member
Post Number:
173
Registered: 07-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, July 28, 2005 - 12:13 pm: | |
Make one of your characters look like Brad Pitt or some such and tweak the image just enough that you can put them on all the merchandise.
Joy*
Internal Memo: "You'd better learn proper grammar. You'll need it when you apply for parole." |
Stacy Anderson
Wandering Member
Post Number:
177
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 29, 2005 - 09:01 pm: | |
" Make one of your characters look like Brad Pitt or some such and tweak the image just enough that you can put them on all the merchandise. "
Is that supposed to HELP Gloria sell books? LOL! Have you taken a look at Brad Pitt lately, he LOOKS like the pits  . I guess that's what happens when you're a natural born womanizer. I wouldn't put that man's picture on anything unless it was to warn women away from being heartbroken. Now Matt Damon...that's something I can work with. He's a fox and such a gentleman!
Stacy
http://www.stacy-deanne.net |
LA
Unity Member
Post Number:
2020
Registered: 12-2001
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 29, 2005 - 09:34 pm: | |
I don't know about Matt Damon, but Johnny Damon isn't too bad there. (Boston Red Sox for you non-sports enthusiasts.) Or Patrick Swayze. Or Sean Connery. Or Sam Elliott....hey, we have a thread around here about all these fellas...somewhere....LOL
Available now:
THE BUTTERFLY GAME, Gloria Davidson Marlow ISBN 0-9722385-4-9
SHADES OF SILENCE, Gloria Davidson Marlow ISBN 0-9722385-6-5 |
Fred Dungan
Unity Member
Post Number:
1145
Registered: 10-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 30, 2005 - 11:34 am: | |
Was that last post made by you, Laurie Anne? The acronym, LA, threw me for a loop. Please remember that old codgers such as myself are easily befuddled. A guy knows he's old when he can't keep the names of the women in his life straight.
http://www.fdungan.com/vigilantes.htm |
Steven Shrewsbury
Unity Member
Post Number:
1291
Registered: 04-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 30, 2005 - 06:39 pm: | |
Never done a solo signing yet (hope to soon), but was a part of the mass signing at World Horror Con in NYC last April. Had a but over a dozen books to start with. Here is a shot when I had 4 books left. It helps to be seated beside Brian Keene, the guy standing beside me...
http://www.stevenshrewsbury.com/gallery/whc05/Shrews%20&%20Brian%20Keene,%20WHC-05.jpg
www.stevenshrewsbury.com
GODFORSAKEN
Behler Publications |
Gloria Marlow
Unity Member
Post Number:
1558
Registered: 04-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 02, 2005 - 07:58 pm: | |
Thanks for all the GREAT advice. I'm definitely copying it all and using it.
I'll try to remember to keep my boobs inside my shirt, Stacey. Although, I'd probably appear much friendlier if I didn't. 
Gloria
The Butterfly Game
Shades of Silence
Flowers for Megan (soon)
|
LA
Unity Member
Post Number:
2025
Registered: 12-2001
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 03, 2005 - 08:47 am: | |
*feigned shock, gasp* Gloria, for shame! LOL
Fred, yes, that was me. I had an "identity crisis", so to speak. Threw Todd for a loop, too. Gotta be like the 4th time I've changed my display name. Tends to happen when I have an attitude shift. Over the last week, I've had a major one. But that's for another topic. Especially when I find that it's bad luck to get too excited over something that is currently only a possibility. *sigh*
Back to Gloria, an email is on it's way as soon as I get to my lunch hour. I've used up my break time already.
LA-ter
Available now:
THE BUTTERFLY GAME, Gloria Davidson Marlow ISBN 0-9722385-4-9
SHADES OF SILENCE, Gloria Davidson Marlow ISBN 0-9722385-6-5 |
Ervin E. Harmon
Awareness Member
Post Number:
12
Registered: 10-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, February 26, 2006 - 03:18 pm: | |
A Book Signing
I have been to all of C. Gale Perkins book signings and depending where the book signing is will dictate how you dress and conduct the book signing. Some book signings you might talk in front of the people that attend for about a half hour to 45 minutes and some book signings you might just be there and talk to people in the store. If you talk up in front of a group of people and it is at a book store at the start time someone from the book store will usually introduce you.
It is a good idea to go to a book signing at the place you will be doing the book signing so you will have more of an idea on what to expect plus you will see possible problems someone else has before you do it. You will be able to tell if you will need a microphone or not but most book stores have them so you can check that out ahead of time.
Nobody knows what your book is about better than you so that should not be a problem
but you will need to know how long you will talk and make an outline for however long you talk. The biggest reason for being prepared is that you will find it easier to relax and make this moment a time you will enjoy and be very proud of.
This is an audio MP3 of a book signing C. Gale Perkins author of "The Baby's Cross" did at Stonehedge Mobile Home Park in Tarpon Springs. Florida on 10 January 2004.
This particular mp3 is one of three she did on her book "The Baby's Cross"
and this is the book signing
http://snaxtc.tripod.com/authorcgaleperkinsbooksigningatstonehedgemp3/
}
This link also has an mp3 of a 1hour radio show she did in an effort to promote her book
plus a audio mp3 on her first Television Interview |
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