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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, As a writer and a story geek, I love consuming people’s content. I also love supporting other writers. To get our work in front of and build an audience, we often work for free. Screenwriters and novelists write projects on spec. Bloggers and podcasters make content free before they monetize it. So, I look for ways to support creators’ work I like. I’m a Patreon of my favorite podcasts and I subscribe to online magazines like The Epoch Times. One of the easiest ways to help authors...
Hi Reader, What is Fan Fiction? Fan fiction, aka fanfic, is unauthorized fiction written by fans based on an existing work (movies, TV, and books). It is a hobby. Fan fiction authors cannot officially publish and make money off of their work legally, because they do not own the IP (intellectual property). Think of it as a creative gym where you build craft and community—no membership required except love of the source material. Outsiders often look down on fan fiction because of stereotypes...
Hi Reader, We've talked about where to sell your book in person and how to talk to customers. Now let’s make buying your book the easiest “yes” of someone’s day. You’re not just selling stories—you’re selling frictionless decisions. The fewer hurdles at checkout, the more happy readers you send home. Think: clear signs, quick swipes, easy taps, and a smile that says, “You’re gonna love this one.” Payment: Say Yes to Every Way Taking money is a snap now—your phone is practically a cash...