More Tips on How to Have a Successful Book Launch Party
by Lori Hatcher @LoriHatcher2
How to Have a Successful Book Launch Party – Part 2
Last month in From the Editor’s Desk – A No nonsense Approach to Non-Fiction, I shared three tips to help you preparefor a successful book launch party– enlist the help of friends, make a book cover poster, and print invitation postcards. This month I’d like to share two more tips for planning and executing a successful book launch party.Tip #4: Get SquareOr, more specifically, get a Square®. A square is a trademarked name for any number of card readers that allow you to accept credit card payments with your smart phone or tablet. All you need is a secure wireless internet connection and a device. Most banks and online companies provide the card reader free and charge a per-transaction fee (approximately 2.75 percent). I applied for one from the bank where I have my business account (You do have one, don’t you?). Using my bank’s app allows me to deposit credit card purchases directly into my checking account.
Why get an electronic card reader? To make it easy for customers to purchase your book. The ABC News article, “Credit vs. Cash,” states, “Credit card payments now account for 53 percent of purchases,. Not surprisingly, the Forbes article, “Credit Card Basics: Everything You Should Know,” tells us, “Scientific studies have shown that people are more likely to complete a purchase if they intend to pay with a credit card than if they intend to pay with cash.”
Thankfully, my card reader was simple to use. It even calculated the sales tax authors are required by law to collect with each book sale.
Tip #5: Pre-sign your booksI don’t know about you, but I can’t talk and write at the same time. One of my greatest fears on launch party day was that I was going to spell someone’s name wrong, forget the verse I wanted to inscribe, or write something stupid in a reader’s book.
In my wildest dreams, I also imagined a long line of readers waiting for hours for me to sign their book. I wanted to make sure the book signing portion of the launch party was speedy and efficient, yet still personal.
In advance of the party, I prayerfully chose what I wanted to inscribe in each book. Since my book, Hungry for God … Starving for Time, is a devotional, I chose a Bible verse, Matthew 5:6. I selected a nice pen (no blots, smears, or uneven ink) and inscribed the verse on the title page of each book.
Be sure to leave room to add a name, which I did as people bought books. To ensure I didn’t spell someone’s name wrong, I asked each customer to write their name(s) on an index card. Then I copied the spelling into the book above my inscription. Remember to sign your name as well. I’d also encourage you to leave some books blank for those who would like a signature only.
Next month I’ll conclude the series with three more ideas for a successful book launch party. In the meantime, I invite you to join the conversation. What’s your best tip for a great party?
Be sure to leave your tips in the comments section below!
TWEETABLES More tips on how to have a successful book launch party - via @LoriHatcher2 on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Planning a book launch - great tips from @LoriHatcher2 on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Lori Hatcher is the editor of Reach Out, Columbia magazine and the author of two devotional books. Her second, Hungry for God…Starving for Time, 5-Minute Devotions for Busy Women released December 3. A blogger, writing instructor, and women’s ministry speaker, her goal is to help women connect with God in the craziness of life. You’ll find her pondering the marvelous and the mundane on her blog, Hungry for God…Starving for Time. Connect with her on Twitter at @LoriHatcher2 or on Facebook - Hungry for God, Starving for Time.
How to Have a Successful Book Launch Party – Part 2Last month in From the Editor’s Desk – A No nonsense Approach to Non-Fiction, I shared three tips to help you preparefor a successful book launch party– enlist the help of friends, make a book cover poster, and print invitation postcards. This month I’d like to share two more tips for planning and executing a successful book launch party.Tip #4: Get SquareOr, more specifically, get a Square®. A square is a trademarked name for any number of card readers that allow you to accept credit card payments with your smart phone or tablet. All you need is a secure wireless internet connection and a device. Most banks and online companies provide the card reader free and charge a per-transaction fee (approximately 2.75 percent). I applied for one from the bank where I have my business account (You do have one, don’t you?). Using my bank’s app allows me to deposit credit card purchases directly into my checking account.
Why get an electronic card reader? To make it easy for customers to purchase your book. The ABC News article, “Credit vs. Cash,” states, “Credit card payments now account for 53 percent of purchases,. Not surprisingly, the Forbes article, “Credit Card Basics: Everything You Should Know,” tells us, “Scientific studies have shown that people are more likely to complete a purchase if they intend to pay with a credit card than if they intend to pay with cash.”
Thankfully, my card reader was simple to use. It even calculated the sales tax authors are required by law to collect with each book sale.
Tip #5: Pre-sign your booksI don’t know about you, but I can’t talk and write at the same time. One of my greatest fears on launch party day was that I was going to spell someone’s name wrong, forget the verse I wanted to inscribe, or write something stupid in a reader’s book. In my wildest dreams, I also imagined a long line of readers waiting for hours for me to sign their book. I wanted to make sure the book signing portion of the launch party was speedy and efficient, yet still personal.
In advance of the party, I prayerfully chose what I wanted to inscribe in each book. Since my book, Hungry for God … Starving for Time, is a devotional, I chose a Bible verse, Matthew 5:6. I selected a nice pen (no blots, smears, or uneven ink) and inscribed the verse on the title page of each book.
Be sure to leave room to add a name, which I did as people bought books. To ensure I didn’t spell someone’s name wrong, I asked each customer to write their name(s) on an index card. Then I copied the spelling into the book above my inscription. Remember to sign your name as well. I’d also encourage you to leave some books blank for those who would like a signature only.
Next month I’ll conclude the series with three more ideas for a successful book launch party. In the meantime, I invite you to join the conversation. What’s your best tip for a great party?
Be sure to leave your tips in the comments section below!
TWEETABLES More tips on how to have a successful book launch party - via @LoriHatcher2 on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Planning a book launch - great tips from @LoriHatcher2 on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Lori Hatcher is the editor of Reach Out, Columbia magazine and the author of two devotional books. Her second, Hungry for God…Starving for Time, 5-Minute Devotions for Busy Women released December 3. A blogger, writing instructor, and women’s ministry speaker, her goal is to help women connect with God in the craziness of life. You’ll find her pondering the marvelous and the mundane on her blog, Hungry for God…Starving for Time. Connect with her on Twitter at @LoriHatcher2 or on Facebook - Hungry for God, Starving for Time.
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