Let’s talk about book festivals today.
I enjoy book festivals. I attend three or four a year—sometimes more. Most are fairly lucrative for me and almost always fun. I used to travel to attend book festivals and sometimes still do attend festivals in other states when they are connected to writers’ conferences where I’m giving a presentation. But mostly, I participate in local Southern or Central California events, such as the big Los Angeles Times Festival of Books coming up next month.
So what is the key to selling books at a book festival?
Connect with the potential buyer. When someone looks at one of my books on publishing or book marketing, I ask, “Are you a writer?” Invariably, we become engaged in conversation which affords me the opportunity to give my sales pitch.
I once watched a man with a children’s book ask everyone who walked by, “Do you know a child who likes to read?” Many people did and many of them bought his book. In fact, he sold out before the day was over.
Poetry is not easy to sell. Yet, a SPAWN member once sold thirty copies of her book of poetry from the SPAWN book at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books by engaging passersby and getting permission to read to them from her book.
But book festivals are not only about selling books. An author must think exposure!!! The more exposure you get for your book, the more sales you will ultimately make and the more opportunities you will have.
I’ve seen people get speaking gigs as a result of their participation in a book festival. One SPAWN member was invited to be interviewed on a radio show. And one author I know met up with someone who was so interested in his book that he helped him to have a documentary made on the topic.
I’ve also observed authors avoiding contact with people who, with a little nudging, might have bought their books. Here are some tips to use when bookselling at a book festival or anywhere else.
• Know how to talk about your book.
• Practice your sales pitch.
• If you need help with any of the above, join a Toastmaster’s club.
If someone expresses an interest in your book, but doesn’t buy it, make sure they walk away with one of your professional quality promo pieces.
Make it easy for people to purchase your book. Have plenty of change. Accept checks. Accept credit cards. Provide bags for their purchases.
Book festivals can be worthwhile endeavors, but you have to be well prepared and willing to stretch and grow.
To locate book festivals and book fairs throughout the U.S., go to
http://www.abebooks.com/books/RareBooks/book-fairs.shtml or do a Google search using the keyword book festivals or book fairs and your city or state.