Your Guide to a Successful Writing Career
HOME   |   CONTACT   |   ADVERTISE!   |   HELPFUL LINKS   |   ARTICLE INDEX


How to Make Your Booksigning a Sell-Out!
by Judy Azar LeBlanc

Everyone loves a successful booksigning! When I had my very first booksigning it was a total flop! Well, maybe not totally; the bookstore did order six books and I did sell two of them! But success comes after failure only if you try again.

So what went wrong? I asked myself. Several things went wrong. First, I didn't invite anyone to come to the booksigning; I didn't have any promotional material with me; I barely spoke to the customers because I "foolishly" thought they would all run up to my table to see what the book and author were all about, and the worst thing I did was to stay sitting behind that little table for the whole two hours! Wrong -- wrong -- wrong.

Today, because of that failure, I have not had a booksigning anywhere that has not been a complete sell-out!

So, how did I go from being a complete flop to becoming a complete success? Here's how!

Where I live in Arizona, all of the Barnes and Noble Bookstores are independently run. That means that each Barnes and Noble bookstore decides independently on who, what, when and where and if they will authorize booksignings. In this case, it is important to get to know the "store" and the manager at each store. Establish a rapport with him or her, and give them a little background about yourself and your book. Don't be afraid to ask if you can have a booksigning at their store, or to emphasize the fact that you are a local author.

One consideration in choosing a store is demographics. Apparently, each bookstore sells a particular type of genre more than others. For example, where I live, the community is very family-oriented, so books on fantasy, child-rearing, and especially children's books are hot items. A few miles further south, there is a university town... and believe it or not, romance books are a hot item at that store!

Next, prepare... prepare... prepare. I can't say enough about this. We are published authors, which connotes "professionals"... Prepare for your book signing just as a professional would:

  • Always check with the store before contacting any media. It has been my experience that they do a great job with the media and advertisements. If you want to send a press release to a local paper, ask them whom to contact. They are very nice about giving you that information, or they will tell you that they are going to do it.

  • Make invitations and give them to all of your friends, acquaintances, and family members, and e-mail everyone you know who would be interested. I also give them to my dentist, doctor, people I know at the local grocery store, and people I know at church.

  • Have a framed 8x11 or 11x17 picture of your cover on an easel for display.

  • Prepare flyers... not just black and white blurbs about your book, but jazz it up and make it look professional. Include a short "eye-catcher" blurb about your book, a list of one liner endorsements, a short bio about yourself and the availability of your book. Be sure to always include your web page on every piece of paper that you have for handouts.

  • Always have bookmarks to give the customer with every book you sign.

  • Have a candy dish at your table filled with candy. However, always ask the store manager if it is alright. This is important because some store managers don't like food in their store. I've never been turned down; however, I do always buy the individually wrapped mints.

Here is a list of what I take to every book signing:

  1. Framed Book Cover on a stand. Not all bookstores have signs printed for your booksigning.

  2. A transparent bookstand to show off the books. This shows off the book better than just having the books lying on the table.

  3. Postcards to hand out -- with your book cover and a short blurb, availability and web page.

  4. Flyers printed on colored stock so that they stand out. Ask the store manager if you can put a few up on their windows. I've never been turned down. After all, they want to sell books too.

  5. Brochures. This is up to you. I have brochures with me, but I don't put them out because of the expense. However, every now and then I do run into a librarian or a school book buyer and I do give one to them.

  6. Business Cards -- have them in a nice business card holder next to your book cover. Make sure your cards list your web page.

  7. Pens with your book title and web page printed on them -- this tip I picked up at a book conference. When a customer buys my book, I sign it with one of my pens and then I give them the pen along with the book.

  8. Bookmarks -- This is a must. Every book should include a bookmark. Have them made with a small picture of your book cover, a list of very short two- or three-word endorsements and your web page.

  9. A table cloth -- It has been my experience that some book stores have already set the table with a table cloth and some don't. I always carry one with me just in case.

This may seem like a lot, but believe me, when it is laid out on the table, it isn't much. Keep in mind we are professionals, so everything you do, think like a professional.

Last but certainly not least... never sit at your table. Don't be shy; greet the customers as they walk by, smile, introduce yourself, hand them a flyer, and tell them that you are a local author who is having a booksigning today on behalf of (name of bookstore). Tell them a little about your book.

If you are like me, book signings are a lot of work, but they are also a lot of fun! You meet a lot of very interesting people, and even if they don't buy your book, they walk away with a flyer or a postcard and they will either read it or check your web page.

More importantly, when you are done, always thank the store manager and the staff who participated in your book signing. Never leave without a thank you and a hand shake.

Since I have practiced this... I have been invited back several times to most of the bookstores in my area, and now they order a minimum of about 25 books, and I always sell out!

Good Luck and Happy Book Signing.

Find Out More...

Copyright © 2007 Judy Azar LeBlanc
This article may not be reprinted without the author's written permission.


Judy Azar LeBlanc was born in Raton, New Mexico, and was raised and educated in Albuquerque, and is an Honored Member of the Cambridge Who's Who, Toastmasters International, and the Arizona Author's Association. She is a graduate of San Jose University, in San Jose, California, where she did graduate work in Industrial Psychology. An award-winning author, her fourth and favorite title "Many Faces to Many Places" is preceded by "Things My Father Never Taught Me", "The Compromise," and "The Unveiling." LeBlanc is internationally published in the FONATUR Tourist Magazine, sponsored by the federal government of Mexico. Visit her website at http://www.manyfacestomanyplaces.com.
Search Writing-World.com:

This free script provided by JavaScript Kit

Becoming a successful writer isn't just about mastering great writing skills. It's also about overcoming the challenges and obstacles of the writing life: Rejection, fear of failure, lack of time, writer's block, the "Am I Really a Writer?" syndrome, and, of course, friends and family who just don't get it.

Fortunately, you're not alone. We've all been there. So here's a handy "survival guide" that will bring you inspiration, motivation, support and good old-fashioned advice to help you through the tough times. Don't let those writing gremlins keep you from achieving your dreams!

More from Moira Allen:

Copyright © 2024 by Moira Allen. All rights reserved.
All materials on this site are the property of their authors and may not be reprinted without the author's written permission, unless otherwise indicated.
For more information please contact Moira Allen, Editor
Please read our Privacy Statement.