Pains of Promotion Face to Face

Social Media avenues are great ways to promote, but the best way to get noticed, is face to face. Writers have an advantage, because we can fit in traditional venues, such as libraries, book clubs, and bookstores.

Many libraries will host a fundraisers or teas to draw people in. Volunteering as a guest speaker is an excellent way to build a fan base. Donate your book to a local book club and ask to attend to discuss it with members.

Bookstores are tricky, especially since a lot have gone out of business. Barnes and Noble have relaxed their restrictions on hosting author events, and are more of an option than they were in the past.

Most areas have events year-round. Check your hometown’s calendar and if you see a fit, learn the coordinator’s name and contact them. Many larger and mid-size cities will hold actual book signings. You may have to pay for a booth, so make sure you’re aware of added costs before you agree to appear.

Coffee houses, (not Starbucks) winery’s or wine bars and other smaller gathering locations are great places to hold cozy discussions. A couple of author colleagues held a Q&A session and book signing at a neighboring beauty shop, and it was huge success. They tossed a piece of chocolate to anyone who asked a question, which loosened up the crowd.

Also, don’t be afraid to “impose” on close friends who offer to help. Let them host a release party for you and invite their reader friends.

Next, get organized. This means have your proposal ready before you pick up the phone to make your first appointment. Nothing turns off a budding partnership than arriving unprepared, and yes, cold calls are necessary.

You can attempt to communicate through e-mail, but you run the risk of your recipient never opening your query or your proposal gets designated to the spam folder. I have received a speaking invitation after a library coordinator Googled suspense author names in my area, but those opportunities do not happen often, so get ready to pound the proverbial pavement.

Whichever why you chose to go, be flexible. Not just with dates and times, but plan more than one program. If you’re executing a speaking or teaching tour, you don’t want to present the same curriculum every time.

Also, practice. Unless you’re comfortable speaking in front of an audience, you need to rehearse, or nerves will attack, and you’ll be stumbling through your presentation. Start simple, in front of the mirror before you graduate to a few friends or family members. Put on your thick skin and ask for constructive feedback.

If you’re not comfortable presenting alone, invite other authors to join you. There’s strength in numbers and preparations can be divided. While including more writers may up the sales competition, it also gives readers a variety to choose from, and diversity brings in more people, many who are looking for new authors to read.

Be creative.

You can have an event every time you leave the house. Design a t-shirt or satchel stating that you’re a writer to wear or carry to appropriate places. Keep business cards, book marks, and books with you at all times. There’s nothing wrong in striking up a conversation with a stranger in a checkout line, and inquire if they’re a reader. If the answer is yes, hand them your card.