| Setting up a book signing is not an easy task by | | | | conversation instead of just blurting it out. If |
| any means. Many larger bookstores won't waste | | | | you're in Borders, just ask the manager, "What |
| their time on an author they've never heard of, | | | | might an author need to do in order to have a |
| and many of the smaller, independent bookstores | | | | book signing at a Borders?" |
| are unwilling to risk buying books if they cannot | | | | 4. Money is Key - |
| guarantee sales from them. Some of these indy | | | | Once you've gotten it across that you'd like to |
| stores have even instituted a method to soften | | | | have a signing, and the manager isn't totally |
| the blow of non-selling authors at book signings - | | | | turned off by the idea, you're halfway there. |
| and that's by charging authors to have a signing | | | | Remember though, all bookstores are open for |
| along with displaying their books. | | | | one purpose and one purpose only: to make |
| There are ways to get yourself into these stores | | | | money. You need to assure the manager that by |
| - even the big chains like Borders and Barnes & | | | | hosting your book signing, the store isn't going to |
| Noble - without paying an arm and a leg for it. It | | | | lose money on it on the books it is going to buy. |
| will require an awful lot of legwork on your part | | | | The biggest issue here is: what is the store going |
| though, and a good deal of networking. | | | | to do with the books you don't sell? Most |
| 1. Visit Local Bookstores as Often as Possible - | | | | managers would prefer not to have twenty |
| You want to visit as many bookstores in your | | | | copies of your book sitting on their shelves for |
| area as possible. A good distance is any store you | | | | two years, useless and doing nothing. So, explain |
| can drive to within an hour. This includes the small | | | | that your publisher will buy back all books that |
| and large bookstores alike. Don't just go in and | | | | haven't sold after three months (or whatever |
| demand a book signing, however. An author | | | | your publisher's policy is). If you are self-published |
| needs to be much more subtle when dealing with | | | | or your publisher has no such policy, then offer to |
| things like these. | | | | buy back the books yourself if they don't sell. |
| 2. Get to Know the Manager - | | | | 5. Keep in Contact - |
| You want to be seen in the store, let some of | | | | Even though I have gotten some stores to agree |
| the staff get to know you. Introduce yourself to | | | | to let me do a book signings, they will never |
| the manager, and give him your business card. | | | | happen if I simply disappear until my book comes |
| Tell him or her that you have a book coming out | | | | out. The key is keeping the relationship alive. Visit |
| soon, and say a little something about it. Again, do | | | | the store every week, or every other week. Say |
| not ask for a book signing straight away. It will | | | | hello to the manager, at this point, you shouldn't |
| likely only serve to anger the manager and make | | | | need to mention the book, he or she should |
| it impossible to get yourself into his or her store. | | | | remember who you are. Keep doing this up until |
| 3. Patience is a Virtue - | | | | you're ready for your book signing. |
| Instead, wait a couple of visits, remind the | | | | With it all mapped out, it can seem rather easy, |
| manager each time about your book. Build a | | | | and though it is, this is a time consuming task, but |
| relationship, although a weak one, with the | | | | one that can reap many rewards. Do not |
| manager. On your third or fourth visit, then make | | | | underestimate the power of a face to face |
| a mention of a book signing - but again, ask, do | | | | meeting, and remember that social networking is |
| not demand. And bring it up as a matter of | | | | even more effective when done in person. |