Exhibiting at a book fair can be extremely nerve-wracking, especially for new authors. Plus, book fairs can be quite costly for authors, so it is important to take certain factors into consideration when planning to exhibit.
1. Location
When deciding whether or not to participate, consider where the book fair is being held. If it is outside, consider the weather. If it’s going to rain or snow, or be -30, think about skipping that one. It’s unlikely a lot of people will attend anyway. If it’s indoors, consider the additional costs associated with contributing to the rental of the space. Events indoors, if not properly promoted, are not seen by as many people.
If you have decided to attend, often you get to choose specifically where you will set up. Surround yourself with well-known local authors, or if it’s outdoors, choose a spot nearby popular locations, like a Tim Hortons or movie theatre.
2. Product
If you don’t yet have any printed copies of your book, exhibiting at a fair that requires payment may not be a great idea, as you likely won’t make any money. You may, however, meet potential publishers or news organization representatives, so it may still be valuable. If you do have product available, be sure to bring a surplus. The last thing you want is to run out of books within the first hour!
It’s also important to fill your table with more than just your books. Consider bringing professionally printed flyers or business cards for anyone who may not have cash on hand or may not be prepared to purchase just yet. Giving them these free flyers may inspire future puchases!
3. Promotion
As a local author, social media is your best friend. I recommend posting about your attendance at the fair at least one week in advance, then remind your followers the day of the event exactly where you’ll be located.
You can even consider running a giveaway to attract followers to your booth/table. Consider giving the first person to visit your table a free copy of your book, or even giving the first ten customers a 20% off discount. If that’s too much, you could even just place a box of Timbits on your table and offer each guest that approaches you to take one. I know I’m certainly attracted to the tables with food!
Book fairs don’t have to be nerve-wracking. With the right preparation, they can be extremely exciting and a great opportunity for you to get your name out there!
If you want to see this preparation in action, or learn more about book fairs, you can visit me at all my upcoming events.