Another way to get people to a signing

Placing posters where you plan to have the event such as the one above can be a great way to start to build interest in your book signing. The designer that made this poster is Mia and if you want to get some posters made by her for your event you can contact her via the following email address, mp7982@yahoo.com. This author has done well with his book by pre-publicizing at events and making sure that each reading and signing is indeed an event.

In his words, “So far it has been Trial and little error.we knew our market before we published and planned out the strategy long before we had our copies. That is why i was biting my nails to get my baby..I have a good team we all know our jobs and I think that is the secret…(my agent writes letters, makes phone calls etc.) my tour mgr who is doing all the leg work (he was a first Sgt 20 year man in military knows how to give orders and hustles) i will send you copies of our posters we use, I have a graphic artist who is amazing . so all i have to do is direct (like a Lt does) and sign books…..prior to a book signing my people go in set up and I come in about 20 minutes later.. Some Posters will Read A NEW STORM IS HITTING NEW ENGLAND..etc…..we put these up 3 or 4 days prior…..Then press sees it gives us a free ad. I sorta play Zorro the mystery man”

How to get an audience at a reading

This is a great example of how to make your event worth going to. Alistair offered people much more than just a chance to hear him read – he also offered them a chance to tour a historic landmark while at his reading giving people an incentive to attend the event. Read below:

Hi John:

Hope you’re doing well. Thought you might enjoy this self-promotional effort.

Best regards,

Alistair

Do not miss what many are calling “the cultural event of the season, if not the entire year.” On Sunday, April 29th, Alistair McHarg will read selections from his recently published, and widely celebrated, memoir of Manic Depression, Invisible Driving. The reading will take place at one of Philadelphia’s true architectural and historical treasures, The Physick House. Named for Dr. Philip Syng Physick, “Father of American Surgery,” the house has hosted innumerable luminaries and played a pivotal role in the foundation of this great land of ours.

Doors open at 1:00, the reading commences at 3:00. You are strongly encouraged to arrive early and take the tour, which is offered by J. Del Conner, Dr. Physick’s great great great grandson. The Physick House is located at 321 South 4th Street, just blocks from Independence Hall. Secure parking is available on Lombard Street between 2nd & 3rd. The $5 admission goes entirely to The Physick House, which is a national landmark.

In the unlikely event that you have not already purchased, read, enjoyed, and actively promoted Invisible Driving, you are advised that it can be purchased from Amazon.com. Links to all online vendors, (and so much more), are easily accessed by visiting http://www.invisibledriving.com/.

Some photographs of The Physick House are attached for your enjoyment. See you there!

Success Story

Here is an email I received from one of my authors – some of the things she did may be of help to everyone:

Hello JohnMark
I wanted to give you a small review on how my first book signing event went. First, I did a great job promoting and marketing the book. I went on 5 different aired Local TV Shows, I passed out flyers, I posted 18X24 posters all over my town and shared my publication announcement with over 7 collaborative groups consist of members from different community based organizations throughout the Hudson Valley area, which includes, Rockland County, Westchester County, Ulster County, Sullivan County, Orange County. I also advertised on all the lower hudson radio stations, live and on their websites. I advertised on the Local Journal news and on News12 New York News Cable website. I also made use of my company email data and sent the announcement to hundreds of people and businesses. As a result I am happy to say that I had over 150 people in attendance and sold 80 books. The Library donated their space. I printed bookmarks and donate to buyers. I signed bookmarks to the children and I catered refreshments. I had a big cake made with an edible book cover printed on top. I also met the Manager of my local Barnes and Nobles recently whom came to attend my book signing. She will be contacting you soon. She seems very interested in having my book on her shelves.
I connected with a Jazz Enterprise promoter that is doing an annual concert in New York City on March 10th, 2007. They offered me an opportunity to make announcements throughout the concert acknowledging my first publication. I admire the gesture and since they are also doing a raffle for the early birds, I have donated two books as door prizes.There is also an organization that is doing a fundraising to raise awareness of the existence of LGBT in the Haitian community. I am their guest of honor and will also donate 3 copies to be sold for their benefits.
In all, I think I am on the right path and my book is starting to smell like success. Thank you all at booksurge for making it simple for starters such as I, to bring our stories to life.
Daniela D. DuCasse, Author

Here is her book on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Farewell-Old-Me-Love-you/dp/1427607664/ref=sr_11_1/103-7613588-2714267?ie=UTF8&qid=1173203424&sr=11-1

Initial Posting

As I mentioned in the welcome to this blog it is intended to be a vehicle for self-published authors to learn more about how to market their books by creating a forum where ideas can be easily shared. Hopefully by sharing successes and failures everyone can become a better marketer of their books!

I hope you find it helpful!