Here's an interesting technique for book promotion that can work whether you self-publish or are with a publisher:
Boulder Bookstore in Boulder, Colorado, puts on events that feature four self-published authors, with each author promising to bring ten people. It's a great win-win situation: the people you bring probably already have your book but they may buy one from one or more of the other authors' titles, and their people may buy one of yours. The bookstore wins because at least some of the forty people may also buy additional books. If the authors are local there's a good chance of getting some exposure in the local press as well.
This will work better if each of the authors gives a short presentation, so it becomes an event rather than just a signing.
If the book store, the authors, or the publishers stump up for some cheap wine probably that will increase attendance.
There's no reason why it can't be done by authors published in the traditional way, too. I'm suggesting to one of my publishers, Pearson, that they consider coordinating an event like that for a few of us who have books in the business/personal development arena. We'll see...
Speaking of beer and wine... Bookselling This Week featured an article on some book stores that also feature a bar serving beer and wine. One example is Taylor Books in Charlestone, West Virginia, that offers a cafe as well. Jessica Puglisi, of The Spotty Dog Books & Aloe in New York, said, "we have customers spending much longer than they might in a non-beer store and interfacing with the booksellers as they receive shipments means that there's an increased opportunity for handselling and spontaneous recommendations. Books often get put on the bar to settle some sort of friendly debate, and this will often turn into an impulse purchase."
These book stores also find it easier to attract people to their events, including a Quiz Night, author talks, book groups, and so forth. The owners all advised serving food, if only snacks, which in some cases is a licensing requirement and in all cases is a good idea to keep people from drinking on an empty stomach.
Sounds like a great idea for the struggling independent book trade. I'll have the house red, please!
(for my free report on The Seven Things that Stop You From Writing--and How to Overcome Them" click: http://goo.gl/bWjb )
