Here’s the continuation of my blog on how to work a book festival so it works for you.
I have attended around fifty book festivals over the years—large ones like the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books and small ones. And each of them seems to have a personality of its own. The thing is, you just don’t know what to expect at a book festival. You might sell numbers of books and meet up with many opportunities or you may sit alone for most of the day and sell nothing.
I’ve seen authors turn what could have been “nothing” days into good days. How?
• The author engages people as they walk past their booth. If she has a children’s book, she might say, “Do you know a child who likes to read?” She may also ask parents with children, “May I read a short story to your child?” Try this and you will sell copies of your charming children’s book. Likewise, I once saw the author of a poetry book sell 30 copies in a day by asking passersby if she could read a poem to them.
• When someone seems interested in his book, the author talks to the visitor about benefits not features. (What can the book do for the potential reader?)
• The author knows how to listen. Sometimes the visitor just wants to tell his story or rant about his experiences related to the theme of your book. If your book addresses some of the issues he brings up, let him know this and he may become a customers.
• If there is nothing happening—it’s a really slow day—the author might walk around the event with his book and show it to other book festival participants. I often sell copies of my publishing/book promotion-related books to other authors at book festivals. And I buy books, as well.
• Authors who maintain a good attitude even when things seem slow will sell more books than those who appear disgruntled.
• I typically stand to face booth visitors rather than sitting during a conversation.
• I make sure visitors walk away with a handout—a postcard, brochure or business card, for example.
This spring why don’t you seek out a book festival near you or where you will be traveling and plan to take full advantage of the exposure and opportunities in the experience.
To locate book festivals, do an Internet search using key words: “book festival” and your city/state. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be a reliable directory of book festivals in the US. If you know of one, please let me know: PLFry620@yahoo.com.