I had to share this post from friend and author, Dan Alatorre because Dan has some excellent tips here for authors on preparing for a book signing. Not all of us have done one live yet, and it can be quite intimidating for many of us who are used to hiding behind the screen and our books. But Dan has been getting some good experience at this, and besides informative, it’s always fun to read Dan’s advice, which always has some entertainment value because . . . well, that’s Dan!
9 Ways To Avoid A Humiliating Public Failure At Your Book Signing Event
You finally worked up the nerve to ask a real, live bookstore to have you sign books at an event!
Okay, you emailed them.
But they replied and now you have a signing event! Woo hoo!
Uh oh…
A real live event.With people.
Or worse, maybe with NO people.
I can hear your heart pounding from here. You’ve heard horror stories about signings. Nobody came. Nobody bought a book…
Yeah , that can happen. IF YOU DON’T PLAN FOR A SUCCESSFUL EVENT.
It can happen even if you DO plan. So what do you do? After all, for the most part you tend to be humiliation-averse.
Good thing I was here!
I have 9 tips for what you need to make your signing a hit, plus some bonus tips for before and after the event, and a few planning/social media suggestions.
The biggest thing to remember is: don’t act like getting people to the signing is solely the responsibility of the bookstore. In fact, assume they won’t get anybody there.
If you’re unknown to the masses, you can’t really expect people to line up to see you – unless.
Unless what?
Unless you follow these 9 tips. Come on, work with me.
Gleaned from my own prior blog posts, 10 Winning Strategies For Your Author Event and Should You Participate In A Book Fair? Three Points To Consider, and from “35 Ways to Make Your Next Book Signing an Event!” by Larry James, The Internet Writing Journal, January 2000
BEFORE THE EVENT – Days/weeks before
Go meet the folks hosting you. Shower and dress nice, the way you might for the event, and bring a copy of the book you want to push. This meeting is kind of an audition, even though you already got the gig. Stopping in to meet the manager/owner/person in charge, at a time that’s good for them, shows them in person how friendly you are and how well you’ll do for their store. CONTINUE READING , , .
Source: 9 Ways To Avoid A Humiliating Public Failure At Your Book Signing Event | Dan Alatorre – AUTHOR
DGKayewriter.com 
Thanks for sharing, Debby. I have my second book signing in August, and will take note of these tips.
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Glad you found them helpful. Dan is becoming a pro at this so I’m sure you will find something handy for you. 🙂
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The tips you’ve linked are very detailed and helpful. Thank you!
Believe me when I get to this point, I hope to rise to the occasion. I love an audience!
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I have no doubts you will be spectacular Marian! 🙂
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Awesome tips! I have a signing in April. So perfect timing 🙂
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Glad to be of service, lol. 🙂 You’re all set!
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Thank you Debby for sharing Dans Post.. having a book signing event must be amazing and nerve racking at the same time.. 🙂
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I know I’d be so nervous! I haven’t taken the plunge yet, but taking notes from Dan! 🙂 ❤
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🙂 ❤
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Very helpful. I did some book signings way back when my memoir, WFW, came out. Some went well; some not so well. I think it’s much harder for an unknown self-publisher to get great results (or any results) from book signings. But I’ll bookmark this for the next time I get a print book out–sometime in the next 12-18 months.
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Maybe the times have changed! Dan’s tips are certainly worth a try! 🙂 (p.s. glad you got in here) 🙂
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Excellent tips, but you did miss one way to avoid embarassment at book signings: Don’t do any! That works well for me, though I fear it’s not much of a marketing strategy.
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Lol Jacqui. I’m afraid to say that I haven’t done one yet! 🙂
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Haha! I was going to say something similar. 😉
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🙂 🙂
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What a great list! I’m not even close to a book signing, but it still gave me butterflies to think about. 🙂 These tips seem like they would be nice to have on hand though!
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Hi Ash, and yes, great page to bookmark for that proverbial day. 🙂
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Already follow Dan, but missed this one somehow – so thanks for reblogging. Rule #1, of course is PUBLISH your darned books. lol 🙂 Tho’ I doubt he included that one, I’m now hopping over to see what he DID include.
xx,
mgh
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Lol, makes sense Madelyn. Dan is a hoot. 🙂 xo
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This is a great reblog, Deb. Dan mentions some things I never would have thought of. Needless to say, I bookmarked it 🙂 ♥
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Glad you found it useful Tina. Dan is the man for sure when it comes to sharing his experiences in marketing, and always doing so in an entertaining way. 🙂 xoxo
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This is a great article. I’m saving it for future reference. And of course I loved the humor he added. 🙂
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Dan is full of sage advice and known for adding his wit within his posts. His blog is informative and fun. I have it bookmarked too, lol. 🙂
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Super tips and just in time. I have several “live” events coming up and plan to incorporate many of Dan’s advice. Great going, Debby to reblog Dan’s article. Much needed information for every writer or artist.
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Hi Ann. Thanks so much for dropping by. I’m glad you too found this article helpful for your upcoming endeavors. 🙂
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