I had generally put off doing anything with my book until school got out. However, I had a weekend where I had nothing to do, and I had already mentioned to my ward that I had written a book. There were many people who do not like to buy on line who were wanting to buy my book from an actual store. Needless to say I had more push than I needed to get over to the local bookseller and try to get my work on their shelf.
I chose Little Professor because I knew they had a wall of local talent. It was a good sign that I had a chance. I really wasn't even prepared to go in. I had a copy of my book intended for the Library of Congress sitting on the seat next to me. Good thing too, because the owner asked for a copy of the book. Without blinking I passed the hardcover over and told him that I would contact him in a week.
A week later I talked to him. His wife had read the book and really liked it. His daughter hadn't started it and he claimed he had read it at the time. I later found out that he read it after this point, but I won't quibble. His next question caught me off guard and it was a learning lesson that you only get through experience. He asked me when he could have some books. To my credit I had thought this was going to happen, so I had purchased some books from Createspace; however they weren't due to arrive for another week or so. When I told him this he wasn't visibly upset. He simply shrugged. I told him I would bring them in shortly after. Again there was no visible response from the man.
Now here is where I go (of course not.) You are aware of this even as the person is talking to you, but it never does seem fit to register. Of course he is not going to be upset. You are local talent, his store will probably sell a few books and you will fade. In this respect no store owner is going to be upset with you about late books. I suppose we are all too ingrained by school, but not having books when asks feels very much the same as not turning in an assignment on time.
So... where did the book signing come from? Well, I went home and ordered more books. It was a good thing too I ended up selling them all. To continue, I went home feeling pretty good, but I was worried about not having enough books. So, I called back and extended the date I was going to bring them in. That's when that little voice in the back of your head chimes... and I could do a book signing that day if you like. The store owner said sure, and I added another dent in my wall.
There are two emotions connected to doing a book signing. The first is pride. There is a part of you that now feels like a true author because you are doing a book signing. It is almost like saying see I am a real author because I am in a brick and mortar store and I've got a pen. The second emotion is fear. There is no confusing that one. Fear of what do you do at a book signing other than sign books? What if I only sell three books? What do I put on the table? Do you actually hand a book to a complete stranger and say, "Please buy my book?" (The answer to that one is yes, and it surprisingly works.) So when I was finished denting my wall, I got to work...
I realized that I needed to do marketing now. I had already created a poster shown above as a poster for the bookstore. It worked well but I made it too big. (Chuckle) I got to work making bookmarks, fliers, press releases, and I spent some money on magnets with the poster on the front. I contacted the radio programs and had them do PSA's and put me on the community calendar. I contacted the newspapers, and I did get on their online calendar, though I'm not sure how many people actually look at that. I made sure to give the bookstore a slew of bookmarks to put near the register that had information pertaining to the book signing. I did everything I could think to do to pull people into my signing.
I also did research. I prowled the internet looking for any advice on signings. I planned my table, I bought candy, and I practiced selling my book. I must have looked like a mad woman as I drove down the street. I perfected answers to such questions as: "What is your book about?" and "How did you get it published?" (One of my rules was never to admit that I was a self published author.) While there are a great many really respected authors who started in self publishing no one thinks of them that way. In general self-published authors are regarded as bad authors, so I determined to keep the focus on the book and not the publishing. It did help that I bought the published by me function because I could use the Rosewood Press label as my publisher and not lulu.
When the day of my book signing approached I got more and more nervous. It didn't really help that Graduation was the day before. There was a lot of stress in my life last week. Anyway, I got up Friday morning ready to sign. I gave myself a facial, put on fake nails, and tried on every piece of clothing in my closet until I found an outfit that conveyed the right message. (I'm a serious author, yet I'm fun.) It was also an outfit that I hoped didn't make me look like a store employee.
I showed up to the signing a half hour early. Now to their credit, Little Professor had already set up the table and decorated it in their style. I quickly and quietly rearranged the table and put out my own decorations. I actually had someone come in before I finished. They were a couple of ladies that I worked with at SkyWest Airlines. I had run into the first while going into a store and put a bookmark in her hand. She had come along with my other friend and were the first to buy my book. It continued that way for about two hours. Off and on people I knew would enter the store and buy my book. I still haven't heard feedback-- I'm a little nervous about that right now. :)
When friends weren't arriving, I talked regular patrons into my book. Some bought my book outright others had to be convinced. Needless to say I couldn't be a wall flower when it came to my story. My mother was impressed with my selling power. It wasn't until she commented on it that I realized how forward I was being. In the end it worked. I sold out my complete box of soft cover books and a good portion of my hardcovers. In the end I sold thirty books. That is an extremely good selling for a book signing I am told.
Here's the thing.... I am now dealing with the after effects of the signing. :) This is the point where you wait for feedback. Given that I had seven or so friends come to the signing I'm sure I will receive some feedback from this event. Again the fear emerges... but it's odd. Somewhere beneath all of your fears you begin to think, I want to do another one of these. They are addictive...
In summary:
- Don't be afraid of a book signing they won't kill you.
- Be upfront and forward with your marketing strategy. Try to get the word out in every available place.
- Use promotions wisely. If you make bookmarks, hand them out to everyone you come in contact with. You never know how many will come to your signing or buy your book.
- Negotiate hard cover and soft cover sales separately. You will most likely sell fewer hard cover books thus bring the percentage given to the store down.
- At the book signing, stand and talk to customers. Put a book in their hand if you can and smile.
- Don't be afraid to tell people that your book is great and wonderful. It feels like you are bragging, but in the publishing world it's just marketing. If you want to sell you need to do this.
- Have fun. Book signings are a blast and can be a great deal of fun. Don't get caught behind your table unless you are signing a book. Enjoy it because the two to three hours are over quickly.
