The Power of In-Person Events
Signings, readings, fairs…oh my!
Ah, yes. We’re talking about in-person events for authors. Unlike social media, which feels only limitedly personal, meeting readers face-to-face is a whole different experience. Since “Best Years of Your Life” released at the end of August, I’ve done 18 in-person events, including book signings, expos and fairs, book clubs, podcast interviews and Instagram Lives with other authors. That’s a lot to cram into three months! But here’s my big takeaway… these events are far more lucrative and beneficial than posting a link on social and telling people to click on it.
There’s a human element that comes from meeting and talking to readers in person. Not only can you chat about your book (let’s be honest…gaining readership and sales is ultimately the goal), but you have the chance to get feedback from readers, explain your process, discuss the reading/book community. It’s a lot easier to display your passion in person than through a screen. And enthusiasm is contagious—when someone can feel the excitement, they’re more likely to be excited too. So talk up your book! Let curious people touch, feel and take a peek. These interactions are invaluable!
In-person events are a great way to sell books. There are many consumers who boycott The Big A, and prefer to shop small—or even from the source herself. So how do you go about setting up these events? Here’s a few tips:
Get in touch with your local indie bookstore(s) to inquire about book signings (Then read my comprehensive guide so you don’t forget anything!).
Poke around your community pages to see what kind of festivals/fairs/expos would be a good fit. Summer and fall are popular times for these events, but depending on where you live, you can find them year-round.
Tap into the writing community on social media and connect with fellow authors who have launches around yours, or whose book is in the same genre/topic. Talk about collaborating for an event, or teaming up for a digital meet-up like IG Lives or Zoom webinars where you can invite readers to join for discussion.
Find podcasts that relate to your genre or tie into the craft of writing, then pitch yourself/your book as a guest appearance. Many podcasts book months in advance, so you may want to contact them ahead of time if you’re timing it for your book launch. I like to think author interviews are evergreen, especially if you’re discussing publishing and careers—bonus points for name dropping your book even if it’s not new. There are TONS of writing/author-related podcasts, but I’m partial to The Best of Women’s Fiction.
While in-person events are great, they can also be quite exhausting. It takes a lot of energy to be “on” and in sales mode and talking with so many people. That’s why I suggest pacing yourself and filling your schedule only to the limit that’s comfortable for YOU. Some authors can do it all (not really, but you get the point), while others burn out much quicker…and that’s OK. You still have a life outside writing, other responsibilities and hobbies. Think about what you want to get out of the event and whether it’s worth it to you.
The last three months have been a whirlwind, and I’ve loved connecting with readers. That said, I’m looking forward to easing into a quieter December and working on my new novel, which will release mid-to-late 2023.
And then the madness will start all over again.