Need some advice from anyone who's done a booksigning already. Should I be nervous...have headache...What if no one shows up? What if it's OVERCROWDED?

My book signing is Saturday. I have a Publicist who's busy juggling three or four projects at the same time---all equally important to her. I've been doing alot of the promotion on my own, which is making me have a HEADACHE.

In order of your questions...

1.) no need to be nervous or have a headache, why you ask???
a.) if no one shows up, no ones there to judge you, but do try, try again!
b.) If its over crowded you're already half way home. Something sparked their interest already.

Smile alot, be you charming self and always use plenty of eye contact.

Oh, and the best of luck on the success of your book!!

[ June 14, 2006, 06:54 PM: Message edited by: chatty lady ]

Chatty lady,
You have some of the best responses!!! TO EVERYTHING I ASK. Thanks! Now what about the food choices


Beverly
www.talk2bev.com

Finger foods are your best choice, small crab puffs, tiny ham roll ups, crackers and cheese and assorted fresh veggies platter with a creamy spinach dip. That ought to do the trick if you want to serve food. Nothing sticky or messy as they will be handling books.

[ June 14, 2006, 06:52 PM: Message edited by: chatty lady ]

Chatty, great advice! Another thing, be friendly and don't be afraid to introduce yourself.

Sherri

If you haven't read many things on book signings then you may be surprised. Some people have them and are tremendously successful, while others have them and no one shows up. I've talked to veterans who don't sell one book, and then newbees who sell a dozen or so, first time out.

I average selling around 30 books. Notice I said average. The least amount I've sold has been 10, while the most was 66. The 10 was at a very well known, very well travel and publicized store in a vacation spot. I was new, nervous, and had a speech the following day which I also had on my mind, so I didn't give the bookstore my best. Shame on me!

There is no magic formula for book signings, but there is a lot of things you can do. If you haven't read The Frugal Book Promoter, by Carolyn Howard Johnson, you need to get it and study it. It will help you tremendously and answer all of your questions.

Networking with others who have gone before you will also help quite a bit. But as some of the girls have already pointed out, the best weapon I have found was SMILING. Just simply similing. No one can resist that, and it shows you are genuine! Not only that, but people respond and usually open up a conversation when they see someone smiling at them.

Do you have give-aways? Like bookmarks, thank you cards (that can be used as bookmarks maybe) and do they have your name, web site address, and book title, etc... on them?

I never do food. Ever. That's just a perference of mine and has nothing to do with nothing. Now when I give a speech the host usually does food, but not me. Too expensive.

Have several pens for backup because if you sign a lot of books, it never fails, one will dry up.

If there is a long line, try to gracefully stop the person who would chat all day with you. Be kind, but mindful of the other people in line for an autograph.

Be ready for a possible encounter. Anything is possible when you deal with the public. For instance, a woman told me one time that she didn't think I was that funny. (She had read the teaser I had laying on the front table). I laughed and said, "Me either! But Momma says I am and I figure Momma don't lie." The crowd around me hee hawed and the woman was embarassed. But she asked for it.

Teasers are a partial story or Chapter from your book that only gives the reader a glimpse of what's inside ... at the bottom of it you say something like, "Would you like to read more? If so..." then you tell how to buy the book AND give your web site addy, etc...I've had lots of people buy AFTER the book signing because of the teaser.

Don't be nervous. People come to a bookstore to buy books. They are ready, willing, and able customers so you don't have to sell to them. Just be yourself and have fun with it. If you don't sell anything, and that could happen, think of the experience you'll have under your belt. My guess is you'll sell a lot though, and will have a great time...

Keep us informed and break a leg!

JJ

Wow, great advice all around!
What about a short phrase with the signature?
Here's wishing you the best!

Yes, Songbird, that's the one thing I didn't plan on at my book signing. All these folks were buying books (yippee!) but they wanted snappy little sayings inside for themselves and the folks they were buying it for.

I'll be better prepared next time.

I had my signing at a local gift shop in town, and served cookies and spiced cider. There were news releases in the local paper, the "big" paper, and online at a local forum. I made 22 sales for a total of about $400 - it was very successful! (I had my books and the gift sets, and many folks bought the gift sets for their friends)

Good luck Beverly!!!

Best of luck to you Bamgibs. I have no experience with this, maybe because I have no published book, (I'm working on it). I think Songbird has a good suggestion with the short phrase in addition to the signature. Especially if there aren't many people waiting in line; then it allows you to write longer, and possibly attract others. (This is my marketing side coming out...) I love quotes, and have collected them for years: Maybe there is a quote here that you might like to use.

Follow the grain in your own wood.
-- Howard Thurman
I celebrate myself, and sing myself.
-- Walt Whitman, Song of Myself, 1855
He that falls in love with himself will have no rivals.
-- Benjamin Franklin
Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it.
-- Helen Keller
Make your own recovery the first priority in your life.
-- Robin Norwood

bamgibbs, I am so excited for you. I would say it's best to have low expectations, but be prepared for a big turn-out just in case.

I also recommend taking time to chat with each person about them, not you. IT's good to learn about the lives of people who are attracted to your topic.

Good luck. can't wait to hear about it.