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Dakota
Newbie Poster
Username: Dakota
Post Number: 14
Registered: 03-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 07, 2006 - 05:31 pm: | 
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I've been told that the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem. Hello, my name is Dakota, and I'm addicted to books. For a week, I've been gorging on books at various bookstores in my city. I've picked up titles like the latest Beverly Jenkins Romance (she is the bomb), Alisha Yvonne's I Don't Wanna Be right (mad drama), Sister Chicas (lighthearted latina fiction), Prior Bad Acts by Tami Hoag, and The Knight's Templar (Is it really in the spirit of the Da Vinci Code? I'll find out). I don't even want to talk about how much money I've spent.
Yesterday, during a trip to a local bookstore, I noticed a group of four authors sitting at a table. Intrigued, I walked towards the table and noticed a sign that read: Local Author Night. I went to the table, ready to engage these authors about their books and to network. The first author barely looked at me, even after I said hello. The second and third authors stared at me for a moment, forcing me to say "how are you?" loudly enough for me to hear them. I asked a few questions, which they answered. The fourth author at least took the time to explain her book. While speaking to her, the third author's friend came by the table. I heard the third author say, "I haven't sold a single book!" And I knew why.
I eventually picked up the books from authors 2,3, and 4. I couldn't bring myself to buy the book from author 1 because he couldn't even speak. Authors 2 and 3 signed their books without smiling, making me almost say "that's okay." Author 4 was pretty good, and I could see her selling more books in the future. I learned something from each of them.
1. As someone selling a product, an author needs to greet the prospective buyer first. A buyer should never be the first to say hello. An author needs to be upbeat and engaging. If possible, stand up and greet a buyer instead of sitting down.
2. Carry enough business cards! Even if a buyer doesn't buy a book, never let her leave your table without something of you in their hands. They may remember you later or refer your work to someone else.
3. Use a contact sheet. Ask for a buyer's name and email address at the least, and ask her if you can send email to her from time to time. Why? See number 3. You're trying to build a base of readers, which means to want to establish connections. Take every opportunity to do so.
4. Explain your book in a sentence or less. When people ask about my upcoming book, I tell them: "In a city where one man makes all the rules, his most lethal assassin, Sola, is about to break the ultimate bond. " I received some positive reactions from this statement. Don't spend a lot of time explaining the book. You will most likely lose the buyer.
5. Don't act you're doing the buyer a favor by signing her book. No matter what type of day you're having, act like you're happy when someone wants to buy your book. If you have a bad attitude, readers remember...and they don't buy anymore of your books.
Well, these are things I plan to implement when I go on the road in late 2006 and early 2007. As far as my book addiction, I don't think I'm ready to be cured.
SOLA
Coming December 2006 from Urban/Kensington
http://www.dakotaknight.com
http://dakotaknight.blogspot.com
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Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 2020
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 08, 2006 - 10:42 am: |
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Dakota:
You are exactly right. The writing game is changing. The companies want people who can go out and mix with the public.
Unfortunately many authors are not the types who can do this. They got into writing, as opposed to singing, dancing, rapping, sales, etc because they wanted to engage in an activity where they would not have to have contact with the public, only to find to their horror that readings and book signings are the order of the day.
I was helped by the fact that I busted out as a serious writer in poetry--there the concept of meeting and reading an audience is a given.
I would suggest that authors go to open mics or join a poetry club to sharpen up their game. Or take public speaking courses.
Lots of times you sell these books one at a time. And you never know when you might piss somebody off that will spread the word and give you a bad rep--
Of course sometimes you can capitalize off that, too. The name of the game is publicity.
I remember a story somebody told me about a famous poet, who shall remain nameless. He was going through a rough period and a sympathetic professor set up a private reading for him at his apartment.
The poet showed up drunk. Proceeded to get drunker. Cursed everyone out. Passed out and had to be carried off.
The professor apologized profusely to the gathered audience. They laughed him off.
"We know all about him," the folks chuckled. "you don't think we actually thought he was going to read, do you?" |
Emanuel
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 174
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 09, 2006 - 11:55 am: |
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Dakota,
Sounds like those authors have a few things to learn about signings. If they aren't smiling and greeting people who make eye contact or who stop by the table, they don't deserve to sell books. It could be that some are just shy or have been so discouraged by failed signings in the past that they've become indifferent.
When I have a signing, I try to make every one of them like a book signing party. I do this by first getting corporate or local sponsors to donate gift items to give away in exchange for publicity. Those who visit my table complete an entry form to win the giveaway and I capture names to build a database.
I also try to have a discussion about the book and how I became an author because people are very interested in the latter. (I think it's because everyone fantasizes about being an author.) Having a discussion which includes a Q & A gets people to like you and hopefully the subject matter of the book.
I try to stay away from "Local Author" group signings because people assume local author means you are not good enough to be a national author. If I do a signing in my hometown, I ask the bookstores leave out the local part. Plus, I prefer to be the only author at an event rather than competing for foot traffic.
Chris,
I don't believe most new writers got into writing because they wanted to engage in an activity that doesn't include interacting with the public. I think most new authors are using it as a stepping stone to fame and fortune. They see Terry Mcmillan on Oprah and her books being made into movies and want that for themselves.
Lately, I've been writing about my experiences as a new author who published independently on my blog. You can check it out here:
http://emanuelcarpenter.blogspot.com/.
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Msprissy
Newbie Poster
Username: Msprissy
Post Number: 23
Registered: 03-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 09, 2006 - 12:23 pm: |
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I offer the following article on book signing.
Cynthia Brian
To Sign or Not to Sign: Tips on Book Signings
April 3rd, 2006 Cynthia Brian
Congratulations! You have not only written a book, but you have it published. If you have a mainstream publisher, you will most likely be given some type of publicity schedule which will include book signings
at book stores. If you are self-published, you will be setting up your own promotional tour. Clients always tell me how excited they are to be invited to sign books at a store. After the event, I get calls describing their disappointment that no one came to hear them speak. They feel embarrassed and insignificant. Not to worry, this is the name of the signing game.
Unless a writer is already really, really famous, it is possible that the only person at the book signing will be you, the store clerk, and the friend or family member who tagged along to be your support system. I am the author of four books (Chicken Soup for the Gardener’s Soul, Be the Star You Are! ,The Business of Show Business, and Miracle Moments) with the distinction of being on the New York Times best seller list for over six months. Yet, I have had the glory of signing hundreds of books with lines of people out the door and also the infamy of meeting only 2 people at a signing. On my radio program, Starstyle(r) Be the Star You Are!, I have interviewed celebrity best selling authors in a variety of genres and without exception, all have experienced at one time or another “no shows” at signings. Standing alone happens to all of us.
My “new rule of thumb” when it comes to signings is this:
When I have a new book out, I will do book signings while touring or for the first few months after publication just to get the excitement going.
After that time, I will only do book signings if I am in the area for a PAID event, like a speaking engagement or television program. Although I enjoy meeting people, it is very expensive for any author to spend so much time, energy, and money traveling to book stores. The public thinks we get paid to appear, alas, we don’t!
If I am walking down the street and see a book store, I will pop in, introduce myself and ask if they have any stock they would like me to autograph. If they carry my books, I have always been asked to autograph them, if they don’t have books, I leave a postcard with information on ordering the books to encourage the buyer to bring the book into the store. Employees usually enjoy meeting an author and sometimes this visit may inspire a sale or two.
However, many authors and their publicists erroneously believe that if an author signs all the books in stock that these books can not be returned to the publisher. In the “old” days if an author autographed the books, they were non-returnable. That is no longer the case.. When you do a book signing, the book store will order books either from the publisher, distributor, wholesaler, or you (if you are self-published and it’s an independent store). Unfortunately, ALL books are returnable from book stores, even those that are signed. Personally, I disagree with this policy, as do publishers, but this has been the standard in the industry for years. Until enough people complain about this issue, this policy will not alter, however I personally will only sell to book stores on a pre-paid, no return policy basis.
What often happens is a store will order a large supply of books for an author signing-let’s say 100 plus based on your excitement to appear at the signing. (Remember, the book store has nothing to lose by ordering large quantities.) Suppose only a few people come to the event and then only three books sell. The store may continue to display your book for a month afterward, then they return all remaining stock, signed or not, for FULL CREDIT. Some stores will wait months before returning the goods. If you have a publisher, the returns look bad on your account and are deducted from any royalties. If you are self-published, you have lost money on the shipping, have to issue a refund check, store your books, (which may not be in pristine condition), then re-balance your income statement. If you are trying to re-sell these books at an event, attendees do not want pre-autographed books as they want personal autographs.
My experience suggests the following when doing a book signing:
1. Know the demographics of the area. This will give you an idea of who may come to your lecture and signing.
2. Contact the event manager to get a feel for how many people usually attend signings and lectures.
3. Suggest the store stock an amount approximately 25% more than their average audience, unless you are a well known author with a big following, then of course, more is better.
4. If you are driving, carry 2 or 3 cases of your books in your car. If you are flying, carry 5-10 copies in your suitcase if you have the space. If the store runs out, you can sell the store copies on the spot.
5. Make an effort to do book signings in places OTHER than book stores. Then you can make a policy that all books are non-returnable and have them stock as many as possible. Interestingly enough, authors sell more books in gift shops and other venues than in book stores. There is less competition from other books in specialty outlets.
6. Before signing stock at a book store, ALWAYS ask the event manager how many copies they want signed. Bring stickers with you that say “Autographed Copy”. Be nice to all the store employees. Talk to them, tell them about your book, show interest in their passions. Many employees are aspiring writers and authors and appreciate the opportunity to learn from someone who has been published. If they like you, they will suggest your book to potential customers. I have even had employees buy my books on the spot.
7. If you have time, send out press releases to all media in the area 3 or 4 weeks before the event. Sometimes your publicist will do this for you or you can hire someone to do the PR work.
8. Get to the signing early and talk to customers. Invite them to come listen to you speak. Also, always have something FREE to give away. Book marks, candy, and useful tip sheets are inexpensive but worthy
gifts. . Make sure to include a price list with an easy way to order your book so that they can buy at a later date.
9. Have fun and be gracious. We never know who we will meet or what the future holds.
Carry on! Be proud! Enjoy the moment. Watch your expenses, payments, and returns. You are an author and this is the beginning of a lifetime of promoting. Think big and reach for the stars. You will turn your
passion into profit. Keep signing!
Cynthia Brian, ASID, is a popular speaker, dynamic writer, and savvy media personality appearing regularly on radio, TV, and in print. Often referred to as “the Renaissance woman with soul!”she is the New York Times best selling author of Chicken Soup for the Gardener’s Soul, author of Be the Star You Are!(r), The Business of Show Business, and Miracle Moments(r). When she’s not writing or performing, you’ll find her
in the garden! Tune into her weekly syndicated and archived radio program. at http://www.worldtalkradio.com/show.asp?sid=118
www.star-style.com where authors and experts are interviewed and promoted.
Cynthia Brian
Starstyle(r) Productions, LLC
PO Box 422
Moraga, Ca. 94556
925-377-STAR (7827)
www.star-style.com
www.starstyleproductions.com
www.bethestaryouare.org
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Urbanreviews
Newbie Poster
Username: Urbanreviews
Post Number: 20
Registered: 10-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, April 10, 2006 - 07:33 pm: |
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When I was just launching my website last year I went to a local book festival that a black bookstore was holding. I met alot of small self- published authors from Milwaukee and Chicago. I was handing out flyers and giving them info about the website. Well, this one local author who is actually signed to a small press took the flyer and asked if she could write on the back of it! The other authors gave me their books to review but I just couldn't believe the nerve of this woman. I went to another book signing for this same author at another bookstore a few months later and gave her my business card and she still acted like I was beneath her or something. No people skills at all. I guess she figured because I was from Milwaukee that I couldn't be worth her time. She has since relocated. |
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