The following tips were created by Online Book Publicist Hajni Blasko. Hajni represents Substance Books, a yearly participant and exhibitor at Book Expo America, Book Expo Canada and other major publishing industry events and shows.
Book shows provide a common meeting ground for publishers, editors, writers and distributors. The following tips will help you take full advantage of your participation. They are based on personal experience communicating with hundreds of authors and publishers.
Research the
event as much as possible prior to the show. The show directory
and/or website will provide you with a detailed schedule of major
events. This will help you schedule your book signing and your oral
or visual presentation to your greatest advantage. |
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Network as much as possible prior to the show by setting-up an
online contact or email form. This will help with scheduling
meetings and allow you to pay full attention to each industry
professional or reader. Practice your
"elevator pitch" in front of a friend and don't be shy to
use it at the show. Just imagine being in an elevator with the very
person who could make all your publishing dreams come through. You
will have only a few seconds to let this person know who you are and
what you want before the person will get out in the next floor.
Deliver your pitch with energy and enthusiasm, even if you yourself
feel tired or bored with it. Don't forget to ask open questions.
Closed questions – those that can be answered with a simple
“yes” or “no” – are not as effective
as questions that require a lengthier answer. Open questions usually
begin with “how,” “what,” “where,”
and “why”. Keep in mind your individual objective for
participating at all times. An open question will start-up a
conversation while a closed question might leave you high and dry
with a short answer. Based on the above,
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Do not include the following information for this group: your reasons for writing the book, the price of the book, or the process of your publishing ventures. Your objective is to receive their contact information, to establish the possibility of a follow-up after the show, and to learn the procedure for manuscript submission, if applicable. Take time to make notes of each contact you make. Feel free to visit booth #2257 and deliver your "elevator pitch" to our publicity staff. All visitors are provided with a show pass to identify them. Pass protocol is to make eye contact, then glance at the pass. If you don't see it, don't be shy to ask. Have your pass always visible and at a level you are comfortable being glanced at. |
In
case of a signing, team up with your booth partners. As people line
up, have them hand out information about your book or give out
bottled water labeled with your book's title. If you have a camera,
ask your booth partners to take pictures of you as you are signing.
Make sure to return the favor and more. Network
with your booth partners and bring along their information when you
work the floor. You may even create some cross-promotional material,
which could potentially
double your exposure and reduce your expenses. Handwritten
business cards are not cool, unless you are a cartoonist. Bring
a camera and take shots of yourself at the event. Include the photos
on your website and submit them to any Social Media Marketing
platforms organized by the event (for example, the BEA photo
gallery). Wear
comfortable clothing. Hold off on the stilettos. Floor shows are
usually hotter and larger than expected. Keep
hydrated to maintain your energy and enthusiasm. Leave the enjoyment
of any alcoholic beverages for after the show. Follow
up your categorized leads as soon as possible. Last but not least, enjoy your signing along
with every moment
of the show!
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