by Lori Hatcher @LoriHatcher2
How to Have a Successful Book
Launch Party – Part 2
Last month in From the Editor’s Desk – A No nonsense
Approach to Non-Fiction, I shared three tips to help you preparefor a successful book launch party
– enlist the help of friends, make a book cover poster, and print invitation postcards.
This month I’d like to share two more tips for planning and executing a
successful book launch party.
Tip #4: Get Square
Or, more specifically, get a Square®. A square is a trademarked
name for any number of card readers that allow you to accept credit card
payments with your smart phone or tablet. All you need is a secure wireless
internet connection and a device. Most banks and online companies provide the
card reader free and charge a per-transaction fee (approximately 2.75 percent).
I applied for one from the bank where I have my business account (You do have
one, don’t you?). Using my bank’s app allows me to deposit credit card
purchases directly into my checking account.
Why get an electronic card reader?
To make it easy for customers to purchase your book. The ABC News article, “Credit vs. Cash,” states, “Credit card payments now account for 53 percent of
purchases,. Not surprisingly, the Forbes
article, “Credit Card Basics: Everything
You Should Know,” tells us,
“Scientific studies have shown that people are more likely to complete a
purchase if they intend to pay with a credit card than if they intend to pay
with cash.”
Thankfully, my card reader was
simple to use. It even calculated the sales tax authors are required by law to
collect with each book sale.
Tip #5: Pre-sign your books
I don’t know about you, but I
can’t talk and write at the same time. One of my greatest fears on launch party
day was that I was going to spell someone’s name wrong, forget the verse I
wanted to inscribe, or write something stupid in a reader’s book.
In my wildest dreams, I also
imagined a long line of readers waiting for hours for me to sign their book. I
wanted to make sure the book signing portion of the launch party was speedy and
efficient, yet still personal.
In advance of the party, I
prayerfully chose what I wanted to inscribe in each book. Since my book, Hungry for God … Starving for Time, is a
devotional, I chose a Bible verse, Matthew 5:6. I selected a nice pen (no
blots, smears, or uneven ink) and inscribed the verse on the title page of each
book.
Be sure to leave room to add a
name, which I did as people bought books. To ensure I didn’t spell someone’s
name wrong, I asked each customer to write their name(s) on an index card. Then
I copied the spelling into the book above my inscription. Remember to sign your
name as well. I’d also encourage you to leave some books blank for those who
would like a signature only.
Next month I’ll conclude the
series with three more ideas for a successful book launch party. In the
meantime, I invite you to join the conversation. What’s your best tip for a
great party?
Be sure to leave your tips in the comments section below!
TWEETABLES
Great advice. I will be doing this at my first book launch; once the book is complete.
ReplyDeleteCherrilynn, you will be so ready when that day arrives that your launch will be a wonder to behold! Keep typing and before you know it, you'll be there. Blessings on your work.
DeleteMy launch party came after a looooonnnng journey. LOL However, because of that, over 200 people showed up! I was flabbergasted, to say the least. It was wild! I sold out of the 125 books I had. But the hardest part was the names. I had people there who I hadn't seen in 15 or more years. And so many were crowded around, the names all went flat out of my head. LOL IO hate asking someone to spell their name and then have them say "S-U-S-A-N" :-\ So the index card or sticky note is a good idea!
ReplyDeleteAne, it is SO heartwarming to see the outpouring of support and encouragement from friends and readers, some of whom we haven't seen in years and others whom we've never met. It's also overwhelming, as you experienced. But wow, what a way to be overwhelmed :)
DeleteThank you, Lori. Look forward to your follow-up posts!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you stopped by today, Linda. Thanks for chiming in. The best is yet to come :)
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