Abouts Books

By Monica Carter Tagore

A booksigning is one of the fun parts of being an author - if people actually show up! Having a successful book signing has two distinct parts: Getting the bookstore to agree to let you come in and getting readers to come to see you.

First, let's see how you can schedule your book signing.

About two months before you want to sign at a particular store, contact the store's manager or community relations manager (or whoever handles book signings for that particular store). Ask if they host book signings. Tell them you would like to have a signing at their bookstore and want to send a press kit.

Send this person a package that includes a copy of your book, postcard or other promotional material you have for the book, letter requesting a signing for the date and time you want, and any other materials in your press kit. Include the book's ISBN in your letter, as well as distribution information, if you have distribution set up. If you have received any other publicity - let's say you've been written about in your local paper - include copies of that. Also include a brief outline of the efforts you will take to promote your book signing.

This package gives the bookstore an opportunity to see the professionalism of your self-published book. Bookstores get so many requests from self published authors, that many are hesitant to set up signings if they do not know what the book looks like. They want to see the book is marketable - that it is not stapled together, that it has a proper ISBN, that it will fit in with the other books the store carries.

Follow up on the package about a week after you've sent it. Reiterate your request. If the date you have requested does not work, ask about another possible date. Be courteous and open with the bookstore manager.

Once the signing date has been secured, send a note (e-mail is fine here, if the manager is open to that) to confirm the event. Also ask the book store manager for a list of media contacts or book clubs or other readers. You can then send promotional information to let them know about the upcoming event.

Stay on it. Sometimes it can take a while to schedule book signings, but remember always to be professional, follow up and confirm.

Send out your promotional materials about two weeks before your signing. Send a press release to the local media, and make contact with the book clubs in the area, and any others on your mailing list who may be able to attend.

Consider including some type of incentive when you send out your publicity materials. For instance, maybe you'll have a competition and give a gift basket to the book club that brings the most members. Or perhaps the first person to arrive will receive a free T-shirt. Adding incentives or bonuses is a nice way to encourage people to take time out of their day to attend your book signing.

Follow up on your publicity efforts the week before the signing. Check in with the bookstore to make sure everything is still on schedule, confirm your time and date again (yes, again), and send out last minute e-mails to your potential attendees - even those who have messaged you to say they will be there! Reminder notes never hurt, as people are busy!

Then go to your event and have a great time. Entertain your readers and sign lots of books.

Monica Carter Tagore is a self publishing mentor who teaches people to successfully publish marketable books. She is the author of three books, two e-books and thousands of articles. She also has ghostwritten books and projects for others. Join her mailing list at http://www.knowledgewealthseries.com/writingsuccess.html and get her free newsletter with helpful tips to successfully publish your next book.