If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around, does it make a sound? If an author has a book signing and no one comes to the event, is it successful? I don’t know the answer to the first question, but the second is “no!”
Just as marketing your book is so important, it is also vital to get word out about author events.
Each week we highlight and expound on a question or section from our Publisher Resources page on our website. The more you know, the better you can publish, so we invite you to check out the information we offer.
This week we will continue on with step four of our steps to a successful book signing. Make sure to check out steps one, two, and three.
Step Four: Plan your publicity. Send out press releases to the local media at least 2 weeks in advance of the signing date. You may also want to discuss sharing the cost of a print ad with the store. Don’t forget to publicize your event in some way. Be creative.
Book signings are great events, but if no one shows up, they can be discouraging, can make the bookstore reluctant to host you again for later books, and reflect poorly on the author. You really need to work to get people into the store. The store may help to promote the event with in-store signage, a mention in a newsletter, and that sort of thing. But it is your job to be proactive about publicizing the event.
Press releases to local media are a great way to get the word out to the community. This is especially true for smaller communities.
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