Authors often ask me for book signing event advice.<\/p>\n

I typically start the conversation by encouraging them to first think beyond bookstores so they plan events where their target audience is already gathered. It’s so much easier to attract a crowd when they’re already in a location for another reason.<\/p>\n

Then I remind them to make sure their book marketing plan includes much more than book signings.<\/p>\n

My goal is to make sure these authors reach as many of the right people as possible, whether it’s through book signings, guest blogging<\/a>, or a virtual book tour<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Only then do I shift to providing advice on how to make sure they’re prepared for that book signing that they’re so excited about.<\/p>\n

If there’s a book signing event in your future, too, you\u00a0want to make the most of it, regardless of the venue. With that in mind, here’s what you need in your book signing event tool kit.<\/p>\n

Plan ahead book signing event tool kit ideas<\/h2>\n

There are a couple of things you should think about ahead of time so you make the most of this opportunity to connect with readers.<\/p>\n

You’ll need:<\/p>\n

\n
• Prepared remarks.<\/strong> You didn\u2019t think you were going to just sit at a table and sign books, did you? Engage your audience with a short presentation that is content-rich and visually appealing. (Why visually appealing? Because you want TV cameras to show up \u2013 next point.)<\/li>\n
• Your best TV self.<\/strong> If at all possible, come up with a book signing event idea that’s newsworthy. Work with your host to generate media attention for it \u2013 both before and after the event. For example, when Sharon Thompson did a signing for Built for Speed: The Extraordinary and Enigmatic Cheetah<\/a><\/em>, she was joined by a cheetah from a nearby wildlife center (and sold 45 books). A cheetah in a bookstore \u2013 or a cheetah anywhere but a in cage \u2013 is newsworthy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

  On-site book signing event tool kit must-haves<\/h2>\n

  Here are the tools you’ll want to pack up in a Caboodle<\/a> for your big event. (I learned about the value of packing odds and ends in Caboodles when I worked with the world’s most organized event planner years ago!)<\/p>\n

  \n
  • Two of your favorite pens.<\/strong> Don\u2019t rely on your host to provide a pen that might flow too fast or too slow for your style. My current favorite is an ultra fine point Sharpie<\/a>\u00a0but I’m also partial to the Bic Pilot G-2 07<\/a>. You might like the BIC Cristal Stic<\/a>. Know what you like to use and make sure you have at least two of them.<\/li>\n
  • Treats in a bowl.<\/strong> Thank your guests with an inexpensive edible treat that\u2019s relevant to your book (if at all possible). A romance author might have a bowl of conversation hearts or Hershey\u2019s Kisses; the author of a business book could offer wrapped chocolate coins. Don’t worry if you can’t come up with something that makes sense for your book, though. Just bring wrapped chocolates — a universal favorite.<\/li>\n
  • A catchphrase that\u2019s relevant to your book.<\/strong> Writing a short phrase before your signature helps personalize the experience for the book buyer. For my two publicity books, I write, \u201cI\u2019ll see you in the news!\u201d Make yours short and relevant.<\/li>\n
  • A friend, a cash box, and receipts when you’re not at a retail location.<\/strong>\u00a0If you’re doing a signing after speaking at a group’s meeting, it’s likely that you\u2019re handling the sales yourself. When that’s the case, bring a cash box with change, a pad of receipts<\/a>, and a friend to take the money. Working with a \u201csales associate\u201d frees you up to focus on signing and smiling.<\/li>\n
  • Post-its.<\/strong> Name spellings aren\u2019t as predictable as they used to be. (Just ask any Caitlin\/Katelyn or Brittany\/Britney.) Ask people to print the name for the book on a Post-it<\/a> so you don\u2019t make disheartening mistakes. (Your friend can handle this and attach the Post-it to the book.)<\/li>\n
  • Backup books<\/strong>. Even when your event is at a bookstore, bring an extra box of books from your own supply in case you sell everything from the supply ordered for the event. (I\u2019m an optimist.)<\/li>\n
  • Business cards.<\/strong> Your presentation will be so impressive that some attending will invite you to speak about your book\u2019s topic to their group. Make it easy for them to contact you by handing them your business card. Write down their contact information on the back of one of your own cards that you keep, too, so that you can follow up if you don’t hear from them.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    With a little advance thought and planning, your book signing event tool kit will have everything you need.<\/p>\n

    And if you need a little inspiration, be sure to read “How to sell out at a book signing without being a celebrity<\/a>” on this site.<\/p>\n

    What\u2019s your favorite book signing tool kit item? Comment here!<\/em><\/p>\n

    (Editor\u2019s note: This article was first published in September 2013. It has been updated and expanded.)<\/em><\/p>\n

    ---

    \n

    Tip of the Month<\/h2>\n

    <\/a>I\u00a0like to share\u00a0a \u201cTip of the Month,\u201d a free resource or tool for authors, on the last\u00a0Wednesday of the month.<\/p>\n

    Meet “Todoist<\/a>.”<\/p>\n

    It’s productivity, organization, and to-do list software that’s designed to help you make sure you never lose track of an important task. According to the app’s description, “Todoist helps get all of your tasks and thoughts out of your head and onto your to-do list anytime, anywhere.” You can sync your account across all of your devices.<\/p>\n

    This program, and others like it, will help you keep track of and stay on schedule with all of the tasks involved with writing, publishing, and marketing your book. I’ve just started testing it with a specific project because I’ve found that when I have a lot going on, some things slip through the cracks. I’m trying to minimize that.<\/p>\n

    Get Todoist for your computer online<\/a> and in your phone’s app store.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    <\/a><\/p>\n

    Authors often ask me for book signing event advice.<\/p>\n

    I typically start the conversation by encouraging them to first think beyond bookstores so they plan events where their target audience is already gathered. It’s so much easier to attract a crowd when they’re already in a location for another reason.<\/p>\n

    Then I remind them to make sure their book marketing plan includes much more than book signings.<\/p>\n

    My goal is to make sure these authors reach as many of the right people as possible, whether it’s through book signings, guest blogging<\/a>, or a virtual book tour<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Only then do I shift to providing advice on how to make sure they’re prepared for that book signing that they’re so excited about.<\/p>\n

    If there’s a book signing event in your future, too, you\u00a0want to make the most of it, regardless of the venue. With that in mind, here’s what you need in your book signing event tool kit.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":19822,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,12],"tags":[709,992,663,993,994,995],"class_list":["post-4911","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tactics","category-tools","tag-book-signing","tag-book-signing-tips","tag-booksigning","tag-booksigning-tips","tag-tool-kit","tag-toolkit"],"yoast_head":"\n