Hi Keep Up the GabWhen you’re selling live, conversation is your superpower. I know; many writers would rather wrestle a deadline than chat with strangers. But resist the siren song of the phone scroll. You are the attraction! Stand in front of your table, smile like you mean it, and open with: “What do you love to read?”
Sales Bait: Your Reader MagnetUse your front end reader magnet to turn curious humans into long-term readers—and to glide them onto your email list. A front end reader magnet is a free short story, novella, or even a full novel that introduces your characters, concept, and world. Two easy ways to deploy it:
Make sign-ups effortless: a big, friendly QR code at eye level and/or a tablet with a pre-loaded form. Every new subscriber is future rapport, reviews, and revenue. Get Book ReviewsReviews are rocket fuel for sales. Tuck a fun, on-brand bookmark into every book with a cheerful review request and big, scannable QR codes—one to your Amazon review page, one to Goodreads. Bonus points for a friendly nudge like, “Loved it? Two sentences and some stars make my day!” ROI with a HeartbeatSome shows ring like cash registers; others feel like master classes. Breaking even at a big event can still be a strategic win if you met librarians, teachers, influencers, and booksellers who’ll champion your books for years. Track more than units and dollars: count leads captured, follow-ups scheduled, doors opened. Both sales and experience keep your momentum rolling. Follow-Up Turns Spark into FlameStrike while the memory’s warm. Within 24–48 hours, send those “so great to meet you” emails. During the show, jot quick notes (“pink-shoes teacher loves time travel”) so your follow-ups feel wonderfully human. Post a short social recap and tag the event and your new friends; you’ll stay on their radar and boost your chances of being invited back. Care & Feeding of a High-Energy Human (That’s You)Events are marathons in cute shoes. Hydrate. Snack. Mint. If you can, bring a buddy so one person can be “on” while the other refuels. Your energy is part of the product—protect it—so the last attendee gets the same sparkle as the first. Learn MoreHow I prepare for Author Events and book signings - video How to Market Books to Homeschool Families How to Sell Books at Conventions - video How to Sell Books from a Table How to Set Up an Author Table that Will Attract More Readers – video Selling Books at Comic Cons Things You Need to Know - video Tips for Authors Selling Books at Comic Cons – video You Might LikeLast week I back two cool Kickstarters for writing craft books:
In Case You Missed ItSelling Your Books at Live Events: Where to Sell The complete article - The Creative Afterlife Survival Guide - Estate Planning for Writers Cheers, Lindsey Thanks for reading! You can share this article here. Was this week's newsletter useful? Help me to improve! Click on a link to vote: 👍Super! - 😐 Meh - 👎 Not my ja |
Hi, I’m Lindsey. I love helping people discover their superpower, create compelling content, and feel excited about pitching and networking. I teach people how to pitch like a boss, network like a VIP, and write like an Oscar winner. Subscribe to my weekly newsletter for actionable creativity and career tips.
Hi Reader, Selling Your Books at Live Events Live events put you and your stories in the same room as actual humans—humans who can see your covers, hear talk about your book, and feel that spark that made you write it in the first place. That proximity changes everything. You’re not battling algorithms or waiting for an email open; you’re creating a moment of connection. And connection sells. Financially, it’s also where your margins flex. When you sell direct, you skip retailer cuts and keep...
Hi Reader, We’ve talked about passwords. We’ve talked about inventory. Now it’s time to talk about the part most writers would rather avoid: lawyers. Yes, it’s expensive. Yes, it can feel intimidating. But here’s the truth: if you want your creative legacy to survive (and thrive) long after you’re gone, you need professional help. Managing a creative estate is complex—and your words deserve more than a DIY approach. Why You Need Legal Backup Your creative estate isn’t just about who gets your...
Hi Reader, Last week, we talked about the basics—passwords, email accounts, and the keys to your digital kingdom. Now it’s time to take the next big step in estate planning for writers: organizing your creative assets. Think of this like a treasure chest. You’ve been adding jewels—books, scripts, blog posts, contracts, domains—for years. But if no one knows where the chest is buried, or how to open it, your heirs will never see the riches inside. Let’s fix that. Inventory Everything (Yes,...