I’m counting down the days until the first annual Reunion Book Fair!
It’s not even September yet, and the venue is filled to capacity. We’re so thrilled by the enthusiasm in our community and surrounding cities for our mutual love of all things bookish.
If you’ve signed up and you’re a debuting indie author (congrats!), keep reading for some selling tips! I’ve recently checked the box for my first book signing at my local vendor market. It wasn’t a book fair, mind you, but I have learned a few things you can take into consideration for your own setup. Here are six pointers for you from prep to sale.
- Be ready to summarize your title(s) in a few concise sentences.
Some people like to take their time and browse/chat, but many shoppers prefer a concise summary of the product they’re considering. By all means, be prepared to explain your plot in detail for potential readers eager to learn more! But lead off with a quick sentence or two highlighting your books’ main “hook,” including well-known titles or authors they’re comparable to. Example: “This is my debut Gothic novel starring a haunted circus and romantic tragedy. If you’re a fan of Poe or Brontë, you’ll love it!”
2. When you sell directly (at a market or fair vs. through a bookstore), make sure you’re equipped to accept credit/debit payments and cash app payments such as Venmo or Zelle.
Most people don’t carry cash like they used to. Cash apps and card sales dominate the markets. Also, my cash apps have crashed on me a few times, so I was relieved that I could accept card payments instead using Square.
3. Invest in a creative, eye-catching table presentation.
Attract potential buyers with a decorative display and multiple elements at varying levels of height. For example, I purchased a multi-leveled tabletop bookshelf to display my books, a hardcover edition to prop up next to it, and gothic decor to match my debut novel/imprint. I also offered pens that match my book themes.
I utilized VistaPrint to create character art bookmarks, business cards, and an author banner including my current publications, my website logo and QR code, and a short, fun bio so people know what I’m all about! Feel free to use my banner as a template for inspiration.
Additionally, I spent a couple of hours generating some book trailers to play on my Kindle tablet on repeat. Just make sure the audio isn’t too loud; you don’t want it to overpower your conversations with your buyers.
4. Include QR codes linking to your ebooks, if applicable.
Another thing I experienced at my first event was meeting readers who prefer ebooks instead (with Amazon Kindle cited most often, of course). Some readers also prefer to buy the ebook first before deciding to invest in the physical book. That gave me the idea to order custom note cards for each book including the Amazon QR code, so people can purchase the ebook right then and there. I include the title, genre, and a rating for convenience.
This will also be helpful when you’re busy making a sale, and other people are examining your booth while waiting. They won’t have to speak with you directly to know your book’s recommended age range and genre.
(VistaPrint, you rock!)
5. Remember to sign each book you sell.
With every book sale, offer to sign the book. Some authors use bold permanent markers, but personally, I think a quick-dry pen with minimal bleed onto the back of the page looks classy.
6. Host a roll-to-win giveaway.
You know what’s just a blast for everybody all around? PR boxes!
The beautiful thing about hosting a giveaway in person is the lack of having to ship it. Yay! Anyway, instead of having potential winners enter their name in a drawing – which they’ll have to circle back around for – or making them wait at all, I elected to bring my sparkly d12 dice (all hail ye DnD nerds) and encourage my booth visitors to roll a 5 or 10 to win. They only get one roll per person, but they have twice the chance to win. I didn’t want to risk bringing the box back home at the end of the event just because nobody managed to roll the winning number.
I have way too much fun putting these themed boxes together. I include a wrapped copy of my signed novel, a small scented candle, a handmade necklace (made by a local artisan!), a bookmark and business card, a tea sample, filler paper and flowers, and a decorative quartz stone for clarity and focus (fits my witch theme).
Each of my boxes varies a bit so everybody gets something a little different. Unfortunately they get pricey, so I only offer one or two per event. But I just love them!
I hope these tips are helpful for my fellow debuting authors. Let’s have some fun, and don’t forget to be confidant in your work. I’m shy, so this particular speedbump is difficult for me to surpass. Remember that you’re working just as hard as traditionally-published writers – in some aspects you work harder than they do – so hold your head up high and smile!
