It’s often said that a bookstore is the worst place to sell books. Few people go to a bookstore for a book signing. What an author needs is a place where there are a high number of people present who came with the intent to spend money. Especially at this time of the year, one of the most effective places to sell un curso de milagros is at an art or craft show.
Holiday craft shows are held in most communities ranging from bazaars in church basements to large shows in malls, gyms, arenas, and even at colleges. While I know of several church bazaars that have been good venues for authors, the bigger the venue and the more traffic, the more likelihood to sell books. To find the best shows to sell your book, ask other authors or crafters you know which shows they recommend, and be willing to commit to a full day or even a long weekend to sell your book.
Larger craft and art shows can have substantial vendor fees ranging from $50 to several hundred dollars. However, if thousands of people are expected to attend the event, chances are you will break even at worst, and I know many authors who have made five or ten times what they paid to attend the show. You can also save money sometimes by bringing your own chair and table, purchasing a smaller booth, or not requiring electricity for your booth. It’s also recommended you pack your own lunch so you don’t have to pay for food that is usually overpriced at these events.
Be prepared before the show. Don’t wait until the day of the show to get ready-you will have a better time if you’re not rushing at the last minute. I suggest you pack your car and collect everything the night before. Besides your books, be sure to bring your table and chairs, tablecloth, pens, paper and anything else you might need.
Bring bags for your books. See-through are the best because the person will carry your book around the rest of the show advertising it, or you can buy plain bags and write your book’s name on them. Even if you just bring plastic bags from Walmart, be prepared for the customer who will want a bag.
Besides your books, make sure you bring business cards or brochures. People will ask where they can buy your book if they don’t have the money to buy it right then, or they might want to buy it for Dad, but they aren’t sure if he already has it. A brochure with your website, or a list of local stores that carry your book is a good item you can give them to help with their decision making. Also be sure to put a sheet of paper on the table to collect email addresses so you can send out emails to customers about your next book and future events you will have. You want to build a long-term relationship with your buyers from this event.
