If you've been reviewing books and music as long as me, then you've also had your share of attending book release parties. This weekend was my fourth of the year and since I became Entertainment Editor for a national print mag my calendar is quickly filling up with more invites. Not good. I'm a closet introvert and I must admit. I've become a bit of a BRP snob. Pray for me. So as The Master helps me work on my new vice, let me share ten book release party don'ts that should help your next BRP be a great Big To Do.
Ten Book Release Party Don'ts.
1. Forget the Press
50% of the reason to have a book release party is to create buzz for your book. So why aren’t you inviting professional noise makers?
2. Eliminate Credit/Debit Transactions
If the other 50% of reason is to have a book release party, then make sure you can handle all forms of payment. There are 3 ways to ensure that happens
- Have your party at a bookstore.
- Negotiate an arrangement for a bookstore to manage your sales. Sherri Lewis used a local bookstore to run her sales table at her party for Dance into Destiny.
- Use Paypal merchant services. Bring a laptop. Go for what you know.
3. Leave your Guest book at Home
If this is your first novel, hopefully it won’t be your last, and if you’re a veteran, then stop spinning the wheel. You have an established market. Your booksigning taps into your warm market, of course, some of your yellow market(people who know the people you know,) and –the big cheese—people you don’t know, who fits your demographic. What if that person couldn’t buy your book today? What if that person belongs to a book club or church? Having everyone sign a guest registrar keeps those contacts warm. You can build your next event, your next book marketing plan, even your next book proposal off the wants and the needs of those persons. Why aren’t you doing that?
Times are tight. Some people need to get there money right before they can buy your book(s.) But if you haggle them, put them in a pressure room, make them feel uncomfortable because they haven’t purchased, they never will.
5. Forget to Work the Room.
Meet & Greet. Make personal connections with those who come out to celebrate your book’s release. Let someone else take care of hosting the party. Arrive early and visit each table once.
6. Forget the Entertainment.
It’s a party not a reading. Have a local artist perform. Host a talk panel that buttresses your theme. Tia McCollors did that this Saturday at her party for her third title, The Truth About Love. She held a talk panel with panelists and a singles minister as the host. It was cute.
7. Stay in your comfort zone.
I know you’re a writer. I know you’re an introvert, but for two hours keep it in the closet. This is your party. Your friends. Your book. Share your heart and soul.
8. Share the Love.
You can vlog, podcast, liveblog, twitter, photoblog this event as it happens to build immediate buzz.
9. Forget to Smile.
This is a party. Plan it like its one. Have Big Fun. Smile often.
Don’t forget that when more than two are together Christ is present. What are some others? Chime in comments.
Dee Stewart is a writing diva mother, Entertainment Editor for Hope for Women Magazine, inspirational book reviewer for Romantic Times Magazine, The Master's Artist Blogger and owner of Christian Fiction Blog. Her writings have appeared in: Spirit Led Woman, Gospel Today, Hope for Women, Anointed, The Dabbling Mum, Atlanta Christian Family, Infuze, Precious Times, just a few. Visit her at Christian Fiction Blog. Check my flickr account for more Blythe dolls. So cute!
How funny! It's 12:40 a.m. (ok, my body says it's 11:30 but it doesn't understand the 'spring ahead' concept yet) and I am just flopping into bed after hosting a wonderful books signing event for friend and newly released Waterbrook author Susan Hill (Closer Than Your Skin). Wish I'd had this info a few hours ago ;)
It was great fun and a great learning experience - so was this post! Thanks Dee!!
Posted by: Madison Richards | March 10, 2008 at 12:44 AM
This was awesome, Dee! Thank you so much!
Posted by: BJ Hamrick | March 10, 2008 at 06:37 AM
Wonderful info. Thanks, Dee!
Posted by: Donna J. Shepherd | March 10, 2008 at 06:52 AM
OK, that's what I needed. How, exactly, does one use Paypal merchant services? Does that mean I have to buy one of those credit card swiper thingies?
Posted by: Mary E. DeMuth | March 10, 2008 at 08:09 AM
Hi, Mary.
Get the merchant account via paypal and alsosign up for virtual terminal. There is no fee to setup, but there is a cost per transaction as most credit card services Have. You can load the paypal graphic to your site. bring your laptop to the signing. have someone handle the transactions via your laptop and walla. Here are links to learn more about it:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,130306-c,shopping/article.html
https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_vt_hub-outside
Posted by: Dee Stewart | March 10, 2008 at 10:52 AM
Thanks, ladies. I'm glad you found it useful. :)
Posted by: Dee Stewart | March 10, 2008 at 10:54 AM
Thanks Dee!
Posted by: Mary E. DeMuth | March 11, 2008 at 06:28 AM
Thanks Dee!
Posted by: Mary E. DeMuth | March 11, 2008 at 06:28 AM
Thanks for sharing, that was invaluable!
Posted by: Venus Mason Theus | July 28, 2008 at 05:22 AM
Venus, Tank you for stopping by. I hope it helps. :)
Posted by: Dee Stewart | July 28, 2008 at 11:31 AM
Dee,
You are wonderful. Thanks so much for these great tips.
Posted by: Rhonda McKnight | December 08, 2008 at 09:03 AM