10 Book Signing Ideas

I'd admit, this is a rather out of place topic for a decorating blog but considering it does tie-in to decorating as it's about my own signing last week for Decorate at Liberty, I thought I'd share some ideas. I'm no book signing expert but I know lots of you who will soon author books and some have already sent me emails asking how signings work so I thought I'd lend some friendly advice based on my signing. Whether you are a new author or an old pro, these tips may spark some ideas for you -- I didn't read up on how to sign books 101 or anything... but I went with my gut instinct as I was clueless about how signings worked, and well, everything went well thanks to Liberty, my dear friends Sania and Leslie and so many others who are mentioned and linked below.

1. Place a stack of your business cards on the signing table so your new friends can take one home with them and so they can stay in touch. Mine were designed by my dear friend Tara Hogan from INK + WIT (see image below). She did a beautiful job and they are letterpressed with gorgeous deep impressions so everyone loved the feel of them (as do I!). They are also double-sided which makes them quite pretty I think.

2. Define your "signing table" with a sign, pretty things hanging above it, flowers, things that make your signing table feel cozy. It also will photograph nicely if you put some thought into it. Also make sure the area has good lighting!

3. If you have access to one, sit on a bench instead of a chair. That way, your friends can sit with you for photos and it's nice because you are shown seated side-by-side vs. one hunching down over the other for a photograph which can be awkward. Plus it's easier to have photos together and you don't have to keep standing up for pictures either as I imagine after the 100th photo you could be quite exhausted!

4. Make sure you keep bottled water by your side at all times. You wouldn't believe how much water you'll need to keep your voice -- you talk to so many people!

5. Have at least a few friends OR a few friends and one professional photographer, on hand to shoot the event. Tell them in advance what you want, unless of course they know what you want as most friends instinctively can figure it out. It's a big deal to sign a copy of your book for fans. You want to have photos to remember the occasion by for years to come. My friend, Tiffany Kirchner-Dixon, is a professional photographer who flew out from Seattle to shoot the event. My husband was also there shooting, along with Leslie's husband Dan, Julie Cove, and Sania's husband Mark. Between them all we got some nice photographs. You won't have a moment free to take photos yourself, trust me, so don't even think you can swing it. :)

6. Talk with everyone as they approach your table, don't quickly sign and shuffle them off. It may be the way for rock stars, but those of us who are writing books and have a connection to our readers will want to reach out and know them better. Speak warmly and show your appreciation. Spend a few minutes with each person -- even if your queue is long, it's important that everyone feels welcome. A word of caution though: don't spend too much time or you won't get to sign all of the books! And don't give more time to some over others, it can make others feel left out.

7. Bring name tags and ask everyone to put their name on them and their twitter handle/blog/website, etc. It's a great way for them to network at your event but also great for you -- you don't have to worry about getting the spelling wrong as you are signing books! The name tags we used were designed by Wolfie and the Sneak (see above images). Renee Garner did a wonderful job, everyone loved them!

8. Try to write a special message in each book that you sign. "To Leslie xo, Holly Becker" is nice, but I wanted to go the distance so I wrote a sentence or two in each copy that I signed - a different message in each book. I felt like nowadays, with so many people reading online that having an actual book that is signed and dedicated to you makes books feel different, special, and the memories that you attach to that book through the kind words of the author will surely be remembered each time the book is opened. That means something.

9. Use a black smudge-proof unscented sharpie that drys instantly! It's the best. Don't use a ballpoint pen, a pen that smells up the entire room (and makes you high in the process!) or worse, smears all over the place and gets on your clothes and marks up the facing page in their book.

and finally...

10. Why not bring a book for THEM to sign? That is what is shown in the top photo of this post laying on my work table. I never in my life heard of this idea but I wanted to do it ever since I first imagined signing books. Leslie bought a fantastic softcover notebook for me that I ended up using for this purpose. That way, as I signed a copy of my book for my guest, they would in return sign (and often write sweet thoughts to me) in my "guest" book on my signing table. I remember that same evening, in my hotel room, sitting in bed on cloud nine as I flipped through each page reading each and every note. I vow to bring my book to each place that I roam on my book tour (and since it's lightweight and softcover, I can) with the goal to fill each page with notes from my friends from all over. I'll cherish it forever, that's for sure.

Oh! And something I didn't do -- freshen up now and then -- a dab of lipstick or gloss can make a world of difference in photographs so don't forget to take mini breaks. :) I know, it seems shallow to say that but it is true! :)

Have you ever done a signing before? Do you have tips to share? If you have attended signings in the past (this was the first I've attended and it was my own, ha ha!) do you have any thoughts on how an author can make those at their event feel comfortable and appreciated? I think other authors reading this may find your tips helpful so please comment if you'd like to share your thoughts.

By the way, Liberty saved some signed copies from the event if you'd like one. They are offering free shipping within the UK and are very limited so click here if you'd like one. :)

(image: holly becker for decor8)