book signing

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Creating Your Inventory of Books

You’ve published your book: yay! And somewhere in the afterglow, you’re thinking about how you’re going to market your books. One of those ways is through book signings, readings, and in-person events.

120115-BookInventoryThis means you need to keep an inventory of books so you’re ready for these events.

BTW: as an independently published author, MOST of your book sales will come from the mega-online retailer of Amazon. Let’s face it, nobody can compete with Amazon’s sheer VOLUME of users!

And that’s a good thing! It’s fantastic to sell where the eyeballs are!

But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a number of your books on hand at all times. The question is:

How many?

How many copies of your #book should you have on hand? Click To Tweet

This is going to depend largely on your overall marketing plan for your book. I know an author who keeps hundreds of books on hand at all times. And she liberally signs and gives them away to just about everybody she meets!

The book is serving as her business card so it makes sense to have an inventory of hundreds of books on hand at all times.

A couple of years ago, I got invited to present at an Outdoors Expo – fitting because that’s what most of my books are written about, outdoor recreation. They were expecting 2,000 people a day for a two-day event.

I figured I’d be safe with 25 copies of each of my books…

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5 Tips for Launching a Book at a Live Event

When you’re publishing a book there are two ways you can do it…

  • You can quietly put it on Amazon and wait for people buy it.
  • You can put it on Amazon, promote the heck out of it, and TELL people to buy it.

052615-LiveEventBookLaunchGuess what? They both really do work. However, if you’re waiting for people to start buying it – and for the word of mouth to start – you might be waiting for a while.

This past weekend, I started a 3-week long launch of a book I’ve been working on since mid-January. And let me tell you, I’m launching it with a bang!

I flew across the country to attend Geowoodstock XIII in Boonsboro, Maryland. (And thankfully was able to stay with family while I was there!) But it’s way more than just sitting in a booth with the book on display!

This was a jam-packed 2-day event with over 3,000 people in attendance – so I had to make the most of what I had. Here are 5 tips for promoting a book at a live event.

1. Perfect your book’s 10-second commercial
Seriously. You’ll say it over and over again so take some time to figure out the must-shares. Tweak as needed. Notice I said a 10-second commercial. An event is busy, crowded, and noisy. So you’ll be saying it over and over and over. Short is better.

Your #book needs a 10 second commercial that explains what it's about. Click To Tweet

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Launching a Book? 5 Must-Know Launching Ideas

031015-BookLaunchAh… launching!

If you’re like a lot of people I know, launching ranks right up there with de-junking the garage. Kinda fun in its way, it can be satisfying… But also a lot of work, sweat, and sometimes it’s hard to see if you’re making any progress.

Launching a book is just like launching anything else.

It’s made easier with support.
It helps to learn from the experts.
Give yourself more time than you think you need.
And never underestimate the power of really good chocolate!

(BTW: I learned a ton about launching from my client, friend, and mentor, Maribel Jimenez. If you’re looking at launching a program, she’s your go to gal!)

And remember, launching is a process! It’s not as simple as pushing a button. It’s a series of intentional efforts to create momentum.

Part of making a book launch successful is your willingness to think outside the box. Sure, you’ll want to share it on social media and to your newsletter list but here are 5 other ways to increase exposure during your book launch.

1. Send out press releases

NEVER underestimate the power of your local press! Sure, sending a press release to a national publication or a world-wide website like PRWeb.com is something you should look at. But most local media outlets are hungry for local, positive news!

2. Schedule a launch party

Usually held a bookstore or retail location, a launch party is a combination book signing, reading, and all-around party. You’ll coordinate with the business owner about refreshments and time commitment. Come ready to mingle!

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In The News: Article About Kimberly

Chino High grad is now author

By Matt Santos. Published 12/19/12 in the Chino Valley Review.

From spooky campfire stories to cookbooks and travel guides, local author Kimberly Eldredge does it all.

Kim Eldredge, a Chino Valley High School and U of A graduate, has eight e-books online as well as a three-part paperback series, “Scary & Silly Campfire Stories.”

The 1999 Chino Valley High school graduate spent this past Saturday at Kathi’s Books in Chino Valley, signing copies of her paperbacks “Scary & Silly Campfire Stories,” a three-part series based on part fiction and real life adventures.

“Not everybody is interested in the traditional scary campfire stories, so my books are about half scary and half silly,” said Eldredge. “The scary ones have that urban legend feel to them, but some of the silly ones are definitely based on real experiences that I’ve had.”

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