Tap, Swipe, Cha-Ching: Managing Money

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 register in skinny jeans. A small card reader ($55) boosts speed and trust or you can use the apps for tap-to-pay.

Cards & Tap-to-Pay (POS = Point of Sale)

Square — The original POS for small businesses.
Stripe — Great online and in-person (it’s what I use).
Venmo Business — Handy if your crowd already lives on Venmo. (You’ll need a business profile.)

Cash (still a classic!)

Run every cash sale through your POS so your records (and later, your brain) stay tidy.
Offer Venmo Business and Zelle as quick alternatives.
Post a mini sign with big QR codes labeled “Pay with Venmo” and “Pay with Zelle.” Eye-level = action-level.

Sales Tax (Womp-Womp… but we’ve got this)

No escaping the taxman: if you sell at an event in the U.S., you’re required to collect and remit sales tax in that state—even as a non-resident. Some states offer temporary permits for short events, and filing cadence (after the event, monthly/quarterly/annually) varies by state. Plan ahead so “fun show” doesn’t become “paperwork panic.”

You’ll Need a Sales Tax Permit

Most states let you apply online; approval can take 3–4 weeks, so start early.

How to get a Permit:

Find your state’s tax authority. Search “[Your State] Department of Revenue,” “Tax Commission,” or “Comptroller.”
(Example: In Texas, it’s the Comptroller of Public Accounts.)
Gather your details. You’ll typically need:
- SSN or EIN
- Business name, address, and contact info
- Start date of taxable sales (first day you’ll be collecting tax)
Apply online (most states), then save your confirmation and any account/filing credentials.
At the event: collect the correct local tax rate; post a small sign that says “Prices include tax” to keep checkout breezy.
After the event: file and remit on time (whatever cadence your state assigns). Calendar it. Future-you will send a thank-you note.

Wrap-Up: Make “Yes” Automatic

Clear tax included pricing, multiple payment options, and tidy tax prep turn impulse interest into paid, signed, bagged-and-bragged purchases. Keep it simple, keep it friendly, keep it fast—and your checkout line becomes part of the show. Now go tap, swipe, and cha-ching your way to more readers!

Quick Recap of Selling Live

Why live events? Bigger margins + human magic.
Before you go: Pick the right show, set a goal, prep inventory and bundles.
Table: Clean, elevated, obvious. Let the display sell with you.
Payments: Take everything; post a big QR; track all sales.
Sales style: Warmth > pitch; ask permission; place the book in their hands; bundle when interest is high.
List building: Make sign-ups effortless; freebies for the “not today” crowd.
ROI: Count cash and connections.
Follow-up: Strike while the memory’s warm.
Self-care: You can’t pour from an empty coffee cup.