Smile and the World Falls for You: Your book, too. How you act at a book signing will affect the sales of your tome. Yes, writers are primarily introverts, but now is the time to make your book shine and lure in the readers. A smile and cheerful attitude are winners at a live event or book signing. Even when you wake up feeling horrible, you must psyche yourself into that genuine smile and attitude and speak pleasantly. That smile may be why someone will pick up your book. Where you would do the same thing to sell for a boss, now you are the boss of your small business, and your books are your job.
2) Superior Customer Service: Communicate. Say “Good morning” or “Good afternoon.” It would help if you spoke to the reader to get their attention. In this day and age of smartphones, where everyone is looking down at them, they walk past many things. Speak up and say, “I am signing copies of my book (or new book) for the bookstore,” if it is a regular signing in a bookstore. If you are selling your books at an event, the greeting is, “I am a local author (if you are), and I have my books here for sale that I can sign.” Show your knowledge of your book. Ask the person who stops at your table, “What do you like to read?” You will learn about that reader through their answer and how or if your book fits them. If it doesn’t or they tell you they don’t read what you write, ask them if someone they know might want to read your book (relatives or friends), and if your event/signing is near a holiday like Christmas, inform them that, “signed books make great gifts, especially if personalized to the one receiving the book.” The same goes for someone’s birthday. Communication helps sell the books. An author who sits there and hopes someone will stop and buy it will be disappointed. Be friendly and polite.
3) Be Kind: Whether a potential reader, the bookstore owner/manager, or the people working the book festival or convention, treat them how you hope someone would do the same to you. It just might ensure you will be back for another signing with the next book at the bookstore or as a future guest at the convention or festival.
Now, I hope you flash that smile at your next signing or event and ask them what they like to read. Remember, it’s not just about your book; it’s also about finding new readers.
Such good advice, Pam — and so obvious.
But I’ve been to book events as a customer where authors sit behind tables and never speak to me, or only say hello and nothing else OR the author is talking to a friends in front of or behind their table and they never acknowledge me at all. (No sale for them!) I have also been annoyed by authors who start a conversation and give me a hard sell and won’t give up — there’s a balance they haven’t learned yet!
Thanks, Julia. It is like when you sell for a customer at stores, you hve to be able to smile and say things. When this is your book, then it should be obvious you should be customer friendly, as you like them to get your book and get it signed.