IWSG This week’s Insecure Writer’s Support Group support group of the consists of Alex Cavanaugh's amazing and awesome Co-Hosts: Yolanda Renee, Tyrean Martison, Madeline Mora-Summonte, L.K. Hill, Rachna Chhabria and JA Scott.
Be sure to stop by their websites, say hello, and show a little love!
Summer Promos I planned a huge event at the Mission Viejo 4th of July Street Fair that attracts between 10,000 and 20,000 people. I bought a 10 X 10 spot and set up my books and a big promo for my monthly newsletter.
Lesson Learned I have to understand holiday weekends are not a good time for a book promotion. The real winners for this event were vendors selling Beer and Nachos.
Pretty much all the attendees didn’t buy anything and that’s across the board. I observed thousands of people leaving the event empty handed. Rare was the sight of a person carrying something they bought from a vendor other than food and drink.
I had a good but not great turnout. Average at best is more like it. I sold books and had a decent enlistment for my monthly newsletter and a lot of looky-loos. And the usual conspiracy theorists who never blink and hang out far too long for my comfort level that I seem to attract like a magnet. But that’s all. I just didn't see the return for my effort as I spent a lot of time preparing for this event.
Beer.
Nachos.
Sunburns.
That's the order of the day for Memorial Day, Labor Day and Fourth of July. No more events for me during these holidays although I will do events during the Christmas season. I can do much better setting up shop at the beach with far less work and financial investment hawking my goods at locals and tourists walking by.
Question What are your success and not-so-successful promo events? I’d like to hear them.
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| Early Morning Set up |
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| View From my Chair |
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| Lake Mission Viejo |
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| Dakota is all Tuckered Out |
Sorry it wasn't a great event for you. Maybe offer free beer or nachos with every purchase next time?
ReplyDeleteAlex, duly noted. Beer and nachos are hard to beat!
DeleteAlthough the event was not lucrative for you, it looked like fun?? I guess people aren't in the book buying mood on July 4th.
ReplyDeleteLove Dakota's stroller.
Teresa, you nailed it. And yes it was fun and I did indulge in nachos and beer.
DeleteBut what you are doing is networking. Perhaps they weren't interested in your book right then. Maybe later. Did your newsletter get more subscribers? How about your social media outlets? That's why you do such events, to get your name out there.
ReplyDeleteLiz, you nailed it. I did network with a lot of people so moving forward I have a lot to look forward to.
DeleteThat is disappointing. Everything is a little trial and error. Hopefully you and Dakota had fun.
ReplyDeleteAnn, this is my insight. One has to take the year in its entirety and look at the larger picture and not one single event.
DeleteEvery experience is a learning experience and the view looks stunning. At least you were out in the sunshine enjoying the lovely weather. Poor pup looks exhausted....
ReplyDeleteMichael, we packed up early and left in plenty of time for Dakota to get inside with the air conditioning. He's such a trooper!
DeleteValentine's Day is the only holiday I do a book event for. There's another expo I do in October but I think you're right to avoid those big holidays. I'll take wine with my nachos, please.
ReplyDeleteI thought Lake Mission Viejo was so cool looking when we lived close by.
ReplyDeleteYou made a great effort for your promoting; a lesson learned that this was not the best venue, but you wouldn't have known for sure unless you tried it.
betty
I've been there and done that, and now I'm finding that most folks who are interested want the eBook. Which is still a sale, but actual book sales are much fewer since the popularity of the eBook. Just the way it is. I think the beach idea is a good one and Christmas, perfect. A $10 book as a last minute gift is perfect! Good luck during your next event!
ReplyDeleteYolanda, I did have flyers with QR codes that usually do well at the beach. Or people will go to Amazon and download that way. I should have posted pics of the flyers in acrylic stands.
DeleteStephen,
ReplyDeleteI still feel like you did a great job because now you know what works for you and you know the times that you don't want to do it. You would have never known this if you had not done the event. So, kudos for you. Keep moving and looking skyward.
Shalom aleichem,
Patricia
I'm sorry, you worked so hard to plan it. But it was still a success because every opportunity leads to something else.
ReplyDeleteDiane, that's right! And I have to admit I'm proud of myself for putting everything together. I had a monitor with a slide show inside the booth. I'll have to post pics on my next blog.
DeleteI think you need to come up with some kind of holiday-appropriate pitch to go with your book. Something like "Buying this book is patriotic! Support your country!" or maybe bundle it with some sparklers or Roman candles or something.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.cdgallantking.ca
That must have been frustrating - but I think you're right on the holiday weekend thing. People aren't looking to carry stuff with them - just have a good time.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your next event!
Yep. Lesson learned.
DeleteAt least you had a beautiful view and sold some books. But thank you for the information. Writers need to know what they are getting into with these sorts of things.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry this event wasn't as successful as you'd have liked it to be, but at least you've learnt your lesson for next time :)
ReplyDeleteThat's too bad, Stephen. But that's the life of an author. You never know when the perfect time is to set up a table. I once spent two days at the fair. Sold 10 books the first day and none the second. Happy IWSG Day, anyway!
ReplyDeleteThanks Joylene! I feel better already.
DeleteIf the looky-loos talk you may still get some sales. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
I wish I'd known you were there, Stephen. I'm right across the freeway from you, in Laguna Hills. I tried a book fair once, too, with poor results. Online seems to work better. I'm subscribing to your blog to see what else you try I can learn from.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear the event was disappointing but the pictures look fun. At least you know now what not to do when you plan another. Best of luck & Happy IWSG Day
ReplyDeleteJuneta @ Writer's Gambit
Juneta, like Thomas Edison. He had to learn of a thousand ways that did not work before he learned how to make the incadescent light bulb.
DeleteWhile it might not have turned out quite as you wished, you've learned from it and that's the big thing. Also, since you have more newsletter followers, and more people with your book in their hands, it can only help from that angle.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry the event didn't work out. If I had been there, I would've bought one of your books.
ReplyDeleteThanks Chrys!
DeleteBummer! Sorry the results weren't better. Sometimes this is true: "The real winners for this event were vendors selling Beer and Nachos."
ReplyDeleteI've noticed that with holidays too. At least you came away with information to use in the future!
ReplyDeleteYeah, information not to do them again!
DeleteI'm sorry the event didn't work out as you'd hoped. But Dakota is adorable! What a cute picture.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous view on a glorious day! A perfect excuse for you and Dakota to show off your book and mingle with all those soon-to-be readers; once the beer wears off ;-) You may have something there, going it alone rather than in a group of 400 others.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I don't think the "bbq" holidays would garner much interest, but people buy their loved ones books for Christmas. I do think you'll have a better chance then.
ReplyDelete(Ugh, I don't like that that's what these holidays have been reduced to. Bbqs.)
Deb, I also stay local during the holidays as there are so many drunk drivers on the road.
DeleteShould have offered free beer and nachos with the purchase of a book?
ReplyDeleteAt least now you get some holidays back, huh!?!
You know, I only sold three books at Denver Comic Con. Being situated one booth down from Terry Brooks apparently didn't benefit me any. :p But I went in knowing people weren't there for books, but for the stars, the fandom, etc. But I talked to some people, gave out my card, etc. I don't consider it a waste, but I also didn't have to pay for the booth. I'm going to read through these comments and see what people said about successful places to sell books, though. Writer's conferences are good for it if you're a speaker. If you aren't, it's rarely worth it. And I say that as the treasurer who has paid out on our consignments for the last two years.
ReplyDeleteIt should also be noted that I had my signing at the comic con BEFORE I'd spoken at all. All of my panels were after my signing. Whether it would have made a difference or not, I'm not sure, but I sold more books at the writer's conference in April, and my signing there was after one of my workshops, but also mostly to people I already knew.
Delete