BOOK SIGNING TIPS

By Raleigh  Pinskey

101 Ways to Promote Your Book

DO  -  Write your own announcement for their intercom.  Make it brief. Title, author, plotline, what benefit they will get from the reading.  Give them several versions because they usually announce you several times before the event. 

DO  -  Ask if you can have an attractive two color or four color book mark or postcard to give one to everyone who comes in the store or stuff in the bag.  Be sure to include your website, email and phone. 

DO  -  Create a sign-up sheet (name, primary email, address AND phone number) for those who may be interested in being on your mailing list.  Ask permission to add them to your list. Give them a book mark or post card.

DO: Ask if the store is wireless. If so, bring your laptop computer. Display your computer in a prominent area and invite customers to sign your database for your newsletter while you sign their book.

DO -  Get there no less than 30 minutes early and if you can, stay late.  I have often sold more books in the after time than the before time.

DO -  Memorable is sending the person who booked the signing a "thank you" note.  Make up thank you notes that are the picture of the book cover. Also include your business card that is the cover of the book.

DO  -  Share the wealth. Include other books in the genre in your talk. Always ask the manager to put those books on the table too.

DO -  Come bearing gifts!  Give the person who booked the signing a single flower or a small box of chocolates.  They will not forget YOU! Ask if there were others involved in the signing and bring something for them.

DO -  Talk to the community relations person and request a brief meeting with their employees prior to the signing to very quickly give an overview of your book so they can be aware and help sell it when people ask for that kind of book.

DO -  When people stop by your autograph table, as you are introducing yourself, HAND them a copy of your book.  Many people will not pick up your book, but most will take it to look at if you hand it to them.  If they begin to read it, that’s your cue to keep quiet.  My book sales at back of the room and at book signings have increased significantly since using this tip.

Do- if there are chairs, I put a book on the chair and refer to the introduction and the table of contents before I begin, and during the talk. Once they bond with the book they usually purchase it.

DON'T  -  Don't complain if you don't sell lots of books.  Signings make those who bought your book feel good, but they really don't sell lots of books while you are there, UNLESS you create a presence WHILE YOU ARE THERE!  I've sold as few as NONE to as many as 56 in a one to two hour period.  According to bookstore managers, on average, book sales for a non-celebrity author will range from about 4 to 7.  If you sell more, you're doing great!

DON'T  -  Don't show your disappointment if you don't sell very many books.  It only creates bad will.  And book store people share their experiences.

REMEMBER:   It is important for you to understand that the purpose of book signings is not necessarily to sell books, but to make people AWARE of your books.  Another important point to understand is that books DO NOT sell themselves!  People SELL books!  Get to know the staff at the bookstore.  THEY can help you continue to sell your books LONG AFTER you have gone! 

MOST IMPORTANTLY:  Have FUN!  Let people know you are there to entertain them, even if they don't buy your book.  You got it in the system. Hopefully you were on radio, TV and in the local newspaper.

Raleigh Pinskey, President and Founder of Raleigh Communications, specializes in helping business people to create wealth, abundance, freedom and a success path to achieve their goals. Founded in 1980, Raleigh Communications provides service professionals and businesses various modules to build their brand platform. Clients can choose from coaching, consulting, seminars, webinars and information products, all designed to advance income, expand spheres of influence, create new profit centers, explore untapped markets, create visibility, establish credibility, targeted to go beyond their goals. Raleigh’s client history includes Sting, McCartney, KISS, Blonde, Herbie Mann, the $5000 Marilyn Monroe Doll, TrimSpa, Callanetics, QLINK, Music Box- the original singing telegram company, Soap Opera and Broadway stars, the first Chicken Soup for the Soul book, many authors speakers, thousands of entrepreneurs, associations and non-profit organizations, and The Bronx Zoo's a Great Snake Named Jake. A sought after speaker, Raleigh Pinskey’s topic categories include “How to Market Your Message to the Media”, “Making Strategic Alliances Work for You”, “101 Ways to Promote Yourself”, “Building Your Brand”, “Joint Venturing with The Media for Fame and Fortune – Power and Prestige”, “How to Produce Profitable TeleSeminars”, “Creating an Information Empire with Information Products”, and “Book Promotion Made Easy”. Raleigh Pinskey is the author of the international best selling "101 Ways to Promote Yourself", with over 100,000 in print and published in several languages, plus many other books and CD’s on the topic of Branding, Marketing and Public Relations. Regarded as an expert in these topics and is often called upon by the media, appearing on over 150 radio and TV talk shows and in 48 magazines and newspaper articles. Raleigh’s hero and mentor is P.T. Barnum who said, “Without promotion something terrible happens. Nothing.” Raleigh Pinskey passion is to do everything she can to help you avoid a business filled with nothingness. PROMOTE & PROSPER!   Meet Raleigh Pinskey | Online News Room | Store | Schedule of Events | Speaking | One Sheet | TeleSeminars | Case Studies Free Newsletter | Free Articles | Affiliate Program | Contact Raleigh