Friday, February 27, 2015

More Tips on How to Have a Successful Book Launch Party

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 



6 comments:

  1. Great advice. I will be doing this at my first book launch; once the book is complete.

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    1. Cherrilynn, 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.

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  2. My 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!

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    1. Ane, 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 :)

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  3. Thank you, Lori. Look forward to your follow-up posts!

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    1. So glad you stopped by today, Linda. Thanks for chiming in. The best is yet to come :)

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