Craft shows can be a useful means of promotion for your books. However, they can be very expensive. One way to save money is to register early. Many shows have online promotional sites which allow you to register early, usually at a savings. Some shows sell out early, so contact them months in advance and they may offer discounts. Some offer discounts for last minute registration, but at that point there are limited spaces available.
Find The Best Book Promotional Opportunities
Many craft shows offer a variety of promotional options. They may offer electricity for your booth, table and chair rental, carpet and similar items. The prices rise as the show draws near. Early planning is a great way to save money and lessens the stress level as the show draws near.
How To Save Money While Promoting Your Book
Each writer that participates in the show will need to transport supplies and promotional items for the show. Show participants can save some money by bringing these items with them. It is more reasonable to carry the items with you than to ship them to the show. An eye catching display that can be assembled and disassembled easily makes a great impression and can save you money.
When you reserve a spot at any show, remember front and corner booths cost more money. These may not be the best locations for you. It’s worth your time, to contact businesses who displayed in the past to ask about the flow of traffic on the floor. It is even better if you have attended the show yourself to see which areas seem to have more traffic. This information is a great way to make the most of an appearance at the show.
Promotional Items For Your Book
Show attendees need promotional items for the people who wonder through the tables. These promotional items should have your author name, book title, website address and other identifying information. These items can include: pens, scratch pads, key chains, etc. Some other things you might give out include gum, miniature candy bars, chips and homemade cookies. One author I’ve seen at writer’s events offers cookies which are based on a recipe in her story. This is a great example of an item to hand out which ties in with the story.
In addition to the novelty promotional items, it is important to have handouts, brochures, business cards and samples. Simple and eye catching handouts can be made in any word processing program. It is easy to play with different fonts, font sizes and colors to grab the attention of people who approach your booth. Local office supply stores usually have good prices for large quantities of copies. Think about creating 2 handouts on a letter size sheet of paper and cutting them.
Sometimes desirable shows are farther away and you will need to stay in a hotel and eat out. There may be opportunities for discount rooms for show participants, but these need to be reserved early. Rooms can be shared if that is practical and appropriate. Another big travel expense is your meals. It’s good to set a food budget before you leave, or allow each person a certain amount of money for food.
These are some easy ways to save money when you participate in craft shows. When you travel to many shows, it becomes more critical to save money at each one. If the cost will be high, it’s important to evaluate whether the expensive is worth the exposure your books will receive.
Nikki Leigh
Author of the Book Promo 101 Series
www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm
Showing posts with label trade show promotion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label trade show promotion. Show all posts
Friday, April 4, 2008
Promote Books at Craft Shows
Authors who sell books at craft shows need to maximize the promotional opportunity. They need to be congenial, perky and alert. Many people will pass your booth and you only have moments to catch their attention. If it is a large show, they probably won’t walk past your booth again, so be alert. To be energetic and alert, get sufficient sleep each night of the show. Conversing with the attendees can be exhausting, especially during a show that lasts several days.
How To Create A Booth That Promotes Your Books
It is important for authors to design a booth plan that is open and inviting. If you use an enclosed booth, stand in front of the booth or table. This allows you to communicate with people when they pass the booth. Busy shows offer the chance to talk with several people at one time.
Learn What Promotional Supplies You Need
This checklist includes basic supplies and promotional items that are needed for shows.
Basic Supplies –
Promotional items for a show should include brochures, handouts, sample pages and information packets for interested people who visit your booth. Pocket portfolios are great to hold brochures, handouts, business card and so on. This might include a pen and note pad for readers to make notes about your conversation. A nice promotional touch is to apply “crack and peel” stickers printed with your logo to the front of the folder.
People registered in the show should spend some time to wander the floor and meet other people, collect their business cards and pass out cards of their own. Make notes on the back of their cards with notes about them and their business. When you talk with people who approach your booth try to have them complete a specialized questionnaire. It is advantageous to make notes on these forms and specific information about these people.
These questionnaires can easily be designed on any word processing program. What are the top ten things you would like to ask each potential reader? These can be included on the questionnaire. The questions should relate to your books and will help determine if they are a potential reader.
After the event, follow up with the people you collected business cards from and the people who completed questionnaires. These people should be added to a mailing list which is used to promote your business. Craft shows can provide wonderful exposure for your books. This is especially true as your experience increases and the shows are handled in an effective and professional manner.
Nikki Leigh
Author of the Book Promo 101 series
www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm
How To Create A Booth That Promotes Your Books
It is important for authors to design a booth plan that is open and inviting. If you use an enclosed booth, stand in front of the booth or table. This allows you to communicate with people when they pass the booth. Busy shows offer the chance to talk with several people at one time.
Learn What Promotional Supplies You Need
This checklist includes basic supplies and promotional items that are needed for shows.
Basic Supplies –
- Scissors
- Tape
- Stapler and staples
- Note Pads (good to have ones with your tagline and website address)
- Book Supplies
- Plenty of Business Cards and Card Holders
- Pens and/or pencils and Pen Holder (use pens with your name and website)
- Promotional Materials about your Books
- Sample chapters or short stories would be great items for specific visitors.
- Scrapbook with Book cover art, reviews, and any awards you have won.
- Questionnaires for Potential Readers to Complete (details are listed below)
- Information Packets (details are listed below)
Promotional items for a show should include brochures, handouts, sample pages and information packets for interested people who visit your booth. Pocket portfolios are great to hold brochures, handouts, business card and so on. This might include a pen and note pad for readers to make notes about your conversation. A nice promotional touch is to apply “crack and peel” stickers printed with your logo to the front of the folder.
People registered in the show should spend some time to wander the floor and meet other people, collect their business cards and pass out cards of their own. Make notes on the back of their cards with notes about them and their business. When you talk with people who approach your booth try to have them complete a specialized questionnaire. It is advantageous to make notes on these forms and specific information about these people.
These questionnaires can easily be designed on any word processing program. What are the top ten things you would like to ask each potential reader? These can be included on the questionnaire. The questions should relate to your books and will help determine if they are a potential reader.
After the event, follow up with the people you collected business cards from and the people who completed questionnaires. These people should be added to a mailing list which is used to promote your business. Craft shows can provide wonderful exposure for your books. This is especially true as your experience increases and the shows are handled in an effective and professional manner.
Nikki Leigh
Author of the Book Promo 101 series
www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm
Find Craft Shows to Sell Books
Craft shows can be a great way for authors to showcase your books. Promoting books at craft shows offer the following benefits.
Generate Book Sales
First and foremost, craft shows offer great opportunity to promote your books. Why not make sales on the craft show floor? You could also meet book store owners or other business owners who would like to host a book signing. Make sure to bring plenty of books, bookmarks, business cards, flyers and any other promotional items that you may have. This way you can give something to people who do not buy books at that time.
Generate Leads For Future Author Promotion
Even if you're unable to make a sale, craft shows are a great way to make contacts for future sales. The key to craft show success is good follow up, so don't forget to check in with potential readers after a week or so. Several ways to gather contact information include: a giveaway which requires people to register and a list for people to join your mailing list. It is good to get their name, address and email address. You can include a short questionnaire to ask what type of books they like and any other questions which relate to your writing.
Learn To Create Author Promotional Opportunities
Craft show booths can operate like a giant billboard for authors. They provide you with ample space to promote your books to potential readers. You can inform them about your books and what will appeal to them, if the booth and promotional materials don't convey this, its time to reevaluate your approach.
Author Networking to Promote Books
Craft shows offer opportunities to meet potential readers in a more relaxed atmosphere. This is another example of times when you can meet people who would want to work together to help you promote your books. Another benefit of craft shows is the opportunities to network and build useful relationships. You could meet existing readers and other writers or aspiring writers that you probably would not meet otherwise. The benefit lies in the potential for promotional partnerships.
Many craft shows offer special consideration for new “businesses” that can make participation financially possible. Even if you don't see any mention of discounts or specials, ask the organizer before you decide if you can participate. If logistics is a concern, most shows have teams that can set up and break down your display. They may even be able to construct one for you from scratch. However, check about charges for these services before you make a commitment.
Craft shows are an important way to promote your books. These shows put you in front of potential readers. Are you looking for a good return on your marketing dollars? Craft shows deliver. For information about craft shows in your area, visit these websites:
http://www.festivalnet.com/
http://www.artandcraftshows.net/
http://www.smartfrogs.com/
http://www.craftshowsusa.com/
http://www.craftsfaironline.com/
http://www.craftsamericashows.com/
These listings offer craft shows, art shows, wine festivals and many other events. Use your imagination and see what possibilities you can discover.
Nikki Leigh
Author of the Book Promo 101 Series
www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm
Generate Book Sales
First and foremost, craft shows offer great opportunity to promote your books. Why not make sales on the craft show floor? You could also meet book store owners or other business owners who would like to host a book signing. Make sure to bring plenty of books, bookmarks, business cards, flyers and any other promotional items that you may have. This way you can give something to people who do not buy books at that time.
Generate Leads For Future Author Promotion
Even if you're unable to make a sale, craft shows are a great way to make contacts for future sales. The key to craft show success is good follow up, so don't forget to check in with potential readers after a week or so. Several ways to gather contact information include: a giveaway which requires people to register and a list for people to join your mailing list. It is good to get their name, address and email address. You can include a short questionnaire to ask what type of books they like and any other questions which relate to your writing.
Learn To Create Author Promotional Opportunities
Craft show booths can operate like a giant billboard for authors. They provide you with ample space to promote your books to potential readers. You can inform them about your books and what will appeal to them, if the booth and promotional materials don't convey this, its time to reevaluate your approach.
Author Networking to Promote Books
Craft shows offer opportunities to meet potential readers in a more relaxed atmosphere. This is another example of times when you can meet people who would want to work together to help you promote your books. Another benefit of craft shows is the opportunities to network and build useful relationships. You could meet existing readers and other writers or aspiring writers that you probably would not meet otherwise. The benefit lies in the potential for promotional partnerships.
Many craft shows offer special consideration for new “businesses” that can make participation financially possible. Even if you don't see any mention of discounts or specials, ask the organizer before you decide if you can participate. If logistics is a concern, most shows have teams that can set up and break down your display. They may even be able to construct one for you from scratch. However, check about charges for these services before you make a commitment.
Craft shows are an important way to promote your books. These shows put you in front of potential readers. Are you looking for a good return on your marketing dollars? Craft shows deliver. For information about craft shows in your area, visit these websites:
http://www.festivalnet.com/
http://www.artandcraftshows.net/
http://www.smartfrogs.com/
http://www.craftshowsusa.com/
http://www.craftsfaironline.com/
http://www.craftsamericashows.com/
These listings offer craft shows, art shows, wine festivals and many other events. Use your imagination and see what possibilities you can discover.
Nikki Leigh
Author of the Book Promo 101 Series
www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm
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