Make Your Event Table Fun!

Take a minute to look at your table display that you set up at events. Is it interesting? Does it make people want to stop and see what you’ve written?

Here are some ideas to jazz it up:

• Get a colorful tablecloth. There are some nice spandex ones in all colors, and you don’t have to iron them.

• If you’re going to invest in a banner, get one that you can use as a drape on your table. The stand-up ones are nice, but in crowded rooms, they take up too much floorspace.

• Have some sort of give-away. Everybody does candy. I’ve also had candy melt in the summer. Now, I think of the themes in my books, and find small items that all ages will like. (I have sparkly beaded bracelets for the glamping series, sparkly mermaid pens for the Christmas shop series, and plastic marine critters that kids can sort through a bowl to find their favorite.) You can find all kinds of inexpensive party favors online.

• I write mysteries, so I add some props to my table. These include plastic police evidence markers, handcuffs, a magnifying glass, and crime scene tape. These are always conversation starters.

• Invest in some book stands. It helps readers see your covers as they approach. Be careful of the large ones that hold multiple books. Sometimes, these don’t fit on the table if you have to share the space.

• Don’t stack all of your books on the table. Create a sense of urgency by only putting a few out.

• Be flexible so that you can use some or all of your props on any size table. Sometimes, there is a lot of space, and other times, you have to share.

• After you set up your table, make sure to take pictures!

What would you add to my list? What works for you at your event table?

Filling Your Author Calendar with Events

Writers today need to market their books, and sometimes, you need to be creative to find opportunities to meet readers and book lovers. Here are some ideas to fill your calendar.

• Bookstores and libraries are the obvious partners. Make sure you know the booksellers and librarians in your area. In addition to book launches and signings, you may want to recommend a panel or a workshop to attract a larger audience.

• Look for restaurants, wineries, and gift shops that have events or event spaces. Many times, you can propose a workshop or panel for their guests who love books.

• Make a list of all the references in your books that could interest readers. (For example, my private eye, Delanie Fitzgerald lives in a Sears Catalog home. Glamping and tiny houses are prominent in my Jules Keene series.) Look for groups or stores that cater to people who like these things, too.

• Make a list of all the big author events in your area, the contacts, and the deadlines. Put the ones you’re interested in on a calendar or sign up for their mailing list.

• Look for book clubs that enjoy your genre. Also, check out senior and community centers that have book clubs. Many love to have guest authors.

• If you like to teach or make presentations, make a list of your catalog of offerings, and make recommendations to groups (e.g. alumni groups, women’s clubs, service clubs, etc.) about a possible presentation.

• Volunteer. I met so many people when I was the program coordinator for my local writers’ group.

Why I Am an Author Newsletter Convert

Before I was published, I subscribed to tons of author newsletters. Many of them arrived weekly, and there wasn’t much content. I didn’t see the value in constantly sharing “buy my book” announcements. I unsubscribed to a bunch, and I also didn’t focus on building my email list or my newsletter as part of my platform for a long time.

Later on in my journey, I talked with a publicist who stressed the importance of having a list that you OWN. When Twitter became X, I quickly realized how easy it was to lose followers that I had no way to contact. (My follower list on that platform dropped by thousands in a matter of weeks.) I decided to focus on my email list and to send out a newsletter.

The publicist focused on the importance of a regular newsletter schedule that was not sent too often or one sent too infrequently. I tried quarterly, but it felt like too much time had elapsed between contacts. I settled on monthly. I looked at the analytics from my email service and picked a day and a time where I had the most activity. It’s now on my calendar as a monthly task.

Then I had to decide what to include. I add new things and see how they are received. I am at the point now that I receive a lot of feedback and comments on my newsletter. And I love to talk to readers. I also have sections where I link to blogs or other items. For the links, I can check my analytics to see how many were opened. That helps me decide what to continue and what to replace.

People are busy, and they don’t have time to linger on emails. I try to have short informational paragraphs, links to key items, and bright graphics to separate each section.

Here are some things that I usually include:

• A welcome to new subscribers

• A brief section of what is going on in my life and my writing life

• A fun fact about my books or series

• Highlights of 6-8 authors that I have featured on my blog lately

• Writers’ Corner - A section full of links to blogs about writing that I have posted recently

• A list of upcoming events

• Photos of recent events

• A give-away of some sort and a congratulations to the last winner

• And information on any book sales

If you’re interested in checking it out, here is the link to subscribe.

What do you include in your newsletter?

Tips for Selling Books at In-person Events

I do a lot of book festivals and events where authors sell books. Here are some things I’ve learned over the years.

• Always bring extra books (even if a book seller is handling the sales and orders). You never know when a shipment is delayed or you sell out.

• Think of ways to make your table/display interesting and inviting to visitors. Always bring a tablecloth. Sometimes, they are not provided.

• Don’t put hundreds of books on the table. You always want to create the idea that they’re “getting books while they last.”

• Avoid big banners or tall displays that block you from buyers’ views (especially if you’re short like me). You don’t want to look like you’re hiding behind stacks of books, banners, or shelves.

• Have small give-aways, bookmarks, and postcards to offer guests. I’ve had chocolate melt before, so I don’t usually do candy. I find something that’s related to my series and buy little party favors. For my Mermaid Bay series, I have mermaid items or plastic figures of sea creatures. Kids and adults love looking through my bowl of sea creatures to find their favorites. I also have sparkly pearly bracelets for my Pearly Girls mysteries.

• I find the longer folks are at my table, the more likely they’ll look at my books. Have your elevator speech and your tag lines in your head and ready to go.

• I talk to everyone. (And yes, sometimes, I get questions about things like “where is the bathroom or drink machine.”)

• You don’t know who will go home and buy an ebook or an audio book. I give everyone bookmarks, so they can find my series easily.

• Ask casual lookers what they like to read or about their favorite books. People are usually willing to share.

• Stand up and greet people. Watch your body language. If you look angry or stand-offish, people are less likely to approach.

• Smile. It always makes you look friendlier.

• Avoid scrolling on your phone. You look busy, bored, or approachable.

• Have change, QR codes to your pay apps, or your credit card readers ready. Sometimes, the WiFi is spotty. Be prepared and ready.

• If you can, offer a deal if people buy more than one of your books.

What would you add to my list?

Why Writers Need Public Speaking Skills

If you read studies about universal human fears, public speaking is always on the list. In high school and college, I was terrified of it, and it took years for me to overcome that. My company sponsored a Toastmasters group when I was a technical writer, and I signed up. The good thing was that the group was new, and everyone was a novice. We bonded over a “we’re in this together” vibe, and it was the best training that I’ve ever invested time in.

As a writer, you are often asked to do panels, teach workshops, do readings, and speak to groups. The more you practice, the better you will get. If you get the opportunity to join Toastmasters, I highly recommend it. After several certifications, I finally felt comfortable giving speeches or speaking up in group discussions. Here are some things I learned that have helped me along the way.

• Don’t have anything in your hands or put your hands in your pockets. People tend to jiggle their keys or change and play with pens or things in their hands. Don’t clutch the microphone, lectern, or table. It makes you look like you’re hanging on for dear life.

• Practice what you’re going to say in front of a mirror or record it, so you can see if you’re making faces or tripping over certain words. You want to look natural and sound authentic.

• Make sure you’re looking at the audience. If it terrifies you, look at the top of their heads. They think you’re looking at them, and you’re not staring them in the eyes.

• Don’t read your PowerPoint slides verbatim to the audience. Talk about key points and provide examples. And don’t turn your back on the audience to read your slides.

• Watch the “errrrs” and “ummms.” A lot of times, you say them or crutch words (like “you know,” “you see,” or lots of “ands.”) People start paying attention if there are too many, and they listen for them and ignore your message.

• Know your material. It’s okay to have index cards or a few notes (like bulleted items), but don’t take a copy of what you’re going to say verbatim. You will go to where you are most comfortable, and you’ll end up reading your text, and that is the fastest way to put people to sleep.

• If you lose your thought, take a breath or a pause and continue.

• And if you’re on a panel, be a good citizen. Don’t hog the time or the microphone. If you agree with what someone else said, give them a shout out. Be attentive and listen to your fellow panelists’ answers.

Writers who are able to be panelists, guest speakers, or workshop leaders will have more opportunities, and it’s nice to be invited to be a presenter.

What's in Your Event Bag?

It’s always a good idea to have a bag with some emergency or needed supplies for your book events. Here are some of the things that I pack.

• Make sure you have plenty of pens. I also have a black marker.

• Don’t forget your bookmarks, give-aways, and business cards.

• Even if there is a bookseller, bring a box of books. It’s always good to have them in the car in case there’s an issue with the book order.

• Pack bandages and a small medical kit in case there’s an emergency.

• Add a roll of painter’s tape and scissors. You never know when you need make a sign or fix something.

• Pack a snack and some drinks.

• If you’re there for a long time, you may want to bring your phone charger.

• Pack a tablecloth in case there isn’t one.

• Make sure you have all of your notes, handouts, directions, and instructions.

What do you have in your event bag?

Keeping Track of Your Book Details

I write four series, and I am often asked to provide details about the different books. I have to have a way to keep this all organized. Here’s what I do:

• I keep (and backup) a Word file for each series that includes each book’s ISBN and buy links from a variety of different booksellers.

• I have an electronic folder with the artwork for each book’s cover. I keep subfolders with copies of the marketing graphics that I use.

• For details about me, I have a Word document with a standard small, medium, and large biography. I also have a list in this document of the links to my social media sites.

• For the details of each series, I keep an Excel spreadsheet that has a column for each book. I list details for each character and what books they appear in.

• And finally, I keep a Word document for each series that lists blurbs and reviews by book. If I ever need a pull quote, I have my choice.

What helps you stay organized with your writing materials?

Things to Know about Newsletter Services

You need an email service to create, distribute, and maintain your unsubscribe list for your newsletter. There are lots of services out there with lots of different pricing models.

Here’s what I learned:

• Find a service that you like and can easily use. Many have built-in templates to get your designs started.

• Make sure the service you choose allows you to import and export contacts for your mailing list. You may want to change services one day, and you’ll need a way to get the data in and out.

• Always export your email list to ensure you have a backup of the names and addresses.

• Check out what you get with the free services. Many offer that for a certain number of subscribers or newsletters a month. There are paid subscriptions when you reach a certain number of followers. Always compare the packages to see what you’re getting.

• Talk to other authors to see what service they are using and what they like.

• Make sure you can connect your email list to your website, so visitors can register online. Most of the time there is a way to link or set up a widget on your website builder.

• Ensure that your service offers access to basic metrics. You’ll want to know how many of your newsletters were opened. Also, many have historical data so you can see trends over time. This will help you target days and times where your readers are active.

• See if it offers a scheduler. My service lets me schedule my newsletter for specific times during the date. This helps me choose optimal times that may lead to more eyes. (For example, people get a ton of emails over the weekend. Monday morning is probably not the best time to send your information.)