Working With A Bookstore To Pull Off A Great Event
In today's post, I want to share some tips that I use when I set up events at book stores, whether for me or for someone else. Hopefully, you can find something to help you when you plan your next event.
Before we get to today's post, I want to let my DFW readers know that a great author and friend of mine is having a book signing at the Creekwalk Barnes & Nobles in Plano, TX on March 12th, 2 pm. (810 West 15th St., Suite E, Plano, 75075). If you are able, please join Pari Danian, sculpture, photographer, author & cuisine artist in celebrating the launch of her book, The Palatable Plate: Cook & Eat Like An Artist. Door prizes, raffles and book signing will make this an afternoon to cherish. I'd be grateful if you could help spread the word.
Now, on to our post...
1. Meet In Person Before The Event- If the bookstore has a community organizer who is responsible for the event, drop in a few weeks early to meet them and shake their hand. The sooner you can become a face and not a name, the better your relationship will be the closer you get to the day of the event.
2. Ask What You Can Do To Help Promote The Event- We all have our marketing ideas, but don't neglect to tap into the wisdom of the coordinator. With his or her experience, you may learn what works with that venue that you may not have thought about before.
3. Ask If They Have Any Suggestions- Coordinators probably know their patrons well. They know what appeals to them because they have seen many authors in their venue before. Will you get more traffic with snacks? What about a give-away? The Barnes and Nobel that Pari will be at has a Starbucks close to where she will be sitting with her cookbook. The coordinator suggested that Pari bring a simple appetizer found in her book to catch some of the Starbucks visitors- very clever. You never want to underestimate the help that the bookstore can offer you.
4. Don't Spring Any Surprises- Of course, if you have a cookbook, it might not be a good idea to bring a toaster oven and demonstrate a recipe without clearing it through the bookstore. If you have a gimmick, then it's probably best to run it by the bookstore first. If they're going to say "no", you'll want to them to do it before you arrive for the event.
5. Give Plenty Of Advance Notice For Your Requests- Do you need an outlet for a computer or WiFi access? Whatever you're planning on doing for the event, make sure you let the bookstore know what you need. Many requests are easy to accommodate if you just give them time to plan for your requests.
6. Introduce Yourself To The Booksellers- If you can find out which employees are scheduled to work during your event, stop in before the event to meet them. Tell them about you and your book and let them know how excited you are to be at their store. Just remember, they have a job to do, so be considerate with their time. You'll be surprised at how a little visit like this will help you gain some important allies when you're sitting at the table signing books.
7. Arrive Early- I like to arrive about 30 minutes early. That gives me plenty of time to set up and I usually have time left to browse the books. I can also press the flesh one more time with the booksellers before the show starts. Arriving early can give you a chance to make sure everything is perfect for your event.
8. Laugh And Smile A Lot- The day of the event is your day to shine. You are the star and the bookstore wants nothing more than for you to have a successful event. Nothing can help you do that more than smiling. Laughing and smiling has a way of warmly inviting customers over to meet you. If they feel that you're there to talk to and that you're not going to pressure them to buy your book, you'll be surprised at how many of these people will go ahead and make the purchase. After all, it makes a consumer feel good to buy something from someone they like, right?
I hope these tips help you when you plan your next event. If you can find a way to work with the bookstore, you'll find a powerful partner to help your event go by smoothly and successfully. You may even find yourself invited back for many more events with them in the future.
Before we get to today's post, I want to let my DFW readers know that a great author and friend of mine is having a book signing at the Creekwalk Barnes & Nobles in Plano, TX on March 12th, 2 pm. (810 West 15th St., Suite E, Plano, 75075). If you are able, please join Pari Danian, sculpture, photographer, author & cuisine artist in celebrating the launch of her book, The Palatable Plate: Cook & Eat Like An Artist. Door prizes, raffles and book signing will make this an afternoon to cherish. I'd be grateful if you could help spread the word.
Now, on to our post...
1. Meet In Person Before The Event- If the bookstore has a community organizer who is responsible for the event, drop in a few weeks early to meet them and shake their hand. The sooner you can become a face and not a name, the better your relationship will be the closer you get to the day of the event.
2. Ask What You Can Do To Help Promote The Event- We all have our marketing ideas, but don't neglect to tap into the wisdom of the coordinator. With his or her experience, you may learn what works with that venue that you may not have thought about before.
3. Ask If They Have Any Suggestions- Coordinators probably know their patrons well. They know what appeals to them because they have seen many authors in their venue before. Will you get more traffic with snacks? What about a give-away? The Barnes and Nobel that Pari will be at has a Starbucks close to where she will be sitting with her cookbook. The coordinator suggested that Pari bring a simple appetizer found in her book to catch some of the Starbucks visitors- very clever. You never want to underestimate the help that the bookstore can offer you.
4. Don't Spring Any Surprises- Of course, if you have a cookbook, it might not be a good idea to bring a toaster oven and demonstrate a recipe without clearing it through the bookstore. If you have a gimmick, then it's probably best to run it by the bookstore first. If they're going to say "no", you'll want to them to do it before you arrive for the event.
5. Give Plenty Of Advance Notice For Your Requests- Do you need an outlet for a computer or WiFi access? Whatever you're planning on doing for the event, make sure you let the bookstore know what you need. Many requests are easy to accommodate if you just give them time to plan for your requests.
6. Introduce Yourself To The Booksellers- If you can find out which employees are scheduled to work during your event, stop in before the event to meet them. Tell them about you and your book and let them know how excited you are to be at their store. Just remember, they have a job to do, so be considerate with their time. You'll be surprised at how a little visit like this will help you gain some important allies when you're sitting at the table signing books.
7. Arrive Early- I like to arrive about 30 minutes early. That gives me plenty of time to set up and I usually have time left to browse the books. I can also press the flesh one more time with the booksellers before the show starts. Arriving early can give you a chance to make sure everything is perfect for your event.
8. Laugh And Smile A Lot- The day of the event is your day to shine. You are the star and the bookstore wants nothing more than for you to have a successful event. Nothing can help you do that more than smiling. Laughing and smiling has a way of warmly inviting customers over to meet you. If they feel that you're there to talk to and that you're not going to pressure them to buy your book, you'll be surprised at how many of these people will go ahead and make the purchase. After all, it makes a consumer feel good to buy something from someone they like, right?
I hope these tips help you when you plan your next event. If you can find a way to work with the bookstore, you'll find a powerful partner to help your event go by smoothly and successfully. You may even find yourself invited back for many more events with them in the future.
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