Book-Signing Success!

I was in Barnes and Noble yesterday, and was compelled to pick-up the Writer's Digest, a monthly magazine for writers.

In it I found several different articles that all life coaches and business coaches would find interesting when marketing and promoting your book! One I found really intriguing was about "Book-Signing Success". Although I can't re-publish the entire article, I'll paraphrase the "Drive-by Signing" by J.A. Konrath (I do suggest you buy the magazine: it's only $6!) The idea: you drive up, go into the store, and sign the stock of your books, then leave.

1. Find the Stores in the area that you will be visiting or are in your area by going online: www.bookweb.org and www.booksense.com and entering in your zip code to find local bookstores.

2. Call the stores you want to drop-in. Call and find-out when their open, when they close, and if they have your book: but don't tell them your the author.

3. Map Out Your Route. I like www.maps.google.com or mapquest.com

4. Find Your Books. This will help the bookstore clerks with their time, and they will be more open to the idea. When you're done signing the books, ask if they have "Signed by Author" stickers for the books, then return them neatly to the shelves.

5. Meet all the Employees of the Store. If an employee meets you, then reads your book, they will recommend it and promote you like crazy.

6. If you're at an Independent Bookstore, Don't Leave without buying something. You scratch my back.....

7. Keep a list or log of where you went, and how much you signed. This will impress your publisher and agent.

8. Return to Stores. After a few months a bookstore may have a fresh stock of your books (because they sold the others) as well as new employees.

9. Don't wait. If you wait 6 months after your book is published, it may be too late.

For more awesome tips on Book-Signing Success, buy the June 2007 edition of the Writer's Digest.

To Your Success!
Rachel