Source: Book Signing Pizzazz ~ with DiAnn Mills – Novel Journey
DiAnn Mills is a true professional. She put together an excellent checklist for authors who want to do a book signing right. The post above includes a short interview with her expounding her thoughts on book signing. It’s worth reading in additon to using her checklist.
I post it here knowing that I plan to use it later. My own immediate goal is to finish my first novel. However, this might be exactly what you’re looking for so enjoy!
Book Signing Procedures:
Name of Bookstore:
Date and Time of Book Signing:
Owner/Manager’s Name:
E-mail:
Address:
Phone:
Website:
Is a multi-author event, other authors to contact:Book Signing Checklist:
- Meet with bookstore owner.
- Deliver press kit and include a copy of the book. I also include a promo item and bookmarks.
- Suggest speaking topics and explain the value of an event instead of a simple book signing.
- Discuss advertising and ask for a media list – newspaper, radio etc. that the bookstore uses. Unless the writer has a publicist, she/he handles the media advertising. Your publisher may wish to know about the event and assist you.
- Find out if the bookstore needs posters. You may need to create a poster or ask your publisher to provide one.
- Prepare ½ page flyers for bookstore to use as bag stuffers. Your publisher may do this for you.
- Send the bookstore endorsements of your book.
- Prepare bookmarks. Include bookmarks from other published titles.
- Have book cover enlarged onto heavy board and place on easel.
- Write the announcement for the bookstore’s intercom.
- Send media info at least two weeks in advance.
- Two weeks prior to book signing, make sure the store has your books in stock. *Make sure you always have plenty of books in your vehicle.
- Advertise the book signing and event in newsletter.
- Week of signing, announce event through online social communities: facebook, shoutlife, twitter, linkedin, myspace, etc.
- Day of signing: arrive early.
- Day of signing: present gift to bookstore owner – candy, flowers, etc.
- Bring camera to have picture taken with bookstore owner – include the book, then send bookstore a copy of the photo.
- Have candy available. Everyone loves chocolate.
- Have copies of endorsements or reviews on book signing table.
- Have sign-up sheet for writer’s newsletter.
- Make sure your books on the shelves are face side out.
- Talk about other writer’s books.
- Move around. Don’t sit. Be available to recommend books to customers – even if it is not your book. You will be remembered.
- Have door prize. Customers register for the door prize by giving name, address, phone, and e-mail address. Customer need not be present to win.
- Ask bookstore owner how many books you can sign before you leave. If permissible, place an “Autographed” sticker on the cover. Sign the book and slip a bookmark inside.
- Follow-up with bookstore owner by writing a thank-you note and include the photo from item #17.
