Snappy Book Tables
Three Tips for Improving Your Table’s Appeal
by Brenda Nixon
Wow, it’s Thursday already. This week has zipped by. Speaking of zip, do you know how to punch up your table at speaking engagements or booksignings?
I always offer a table of childrearing resources including my CDs and books. Speaking pros refer to this as Back of Room (BOR) sales.
Whether you’re a speaker with a BOR table or are doing a signing at a Barnes & Noble store, you must attract attention to your table. Here are three tips for a magnetic table.
- First, bring a tablecloth and décor in case the store or program planner doesn’t provide such things. In my speaking contract, I ask the program planner to provide a tablecloth as it adds a touch of elegance and is much more attractive than placing my materials on a bare wooden - or scratched - tabletop. (However, I still tuck a white clothe inside my crate just in case a cloth is absent or the provided one doesn’t fit the table dimensions.) Table décor can be balloons, photographs, flowers, confetti, sign up sheets to receive your newsletter, and ancillary products related to your book(s) . . . whatever you like.
- Second, offer an affordable freebie such as individually wrapped candy. Just ask the store manager or program planner if it’s allowed. Some don’t want food indoors. For sanitation reasons, don’t lay out a bowl of M&Ms that everyone digs their dirty hands into – believe me, I’ve seen this and it’s a turn off! My friend and co-author on A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts, Cathy Messecar, opts for a bowl of smiley faces to give away. She says you can buy a bag of 200 in different sizes at Hobby Lobby for about $2. Now, that’s a small investment for attracting people to your table and giving them something to remember you by . . . even if they don’t purchase your book.
- Third, practice the marketing motto, “Build ‘em high to make sales fly.” Create visual interest in your table by building assorted tiers. Stand books up on end or prop them up with bookstands like stores use. Never leave your book laying flat on the table. With authors, the saying goes, “flat books mean flat sales.” Sometimes I use my bright, red plastic crate and pile books or CDs on top and inside. If you emptied a box to put materials on your table, invert that box, cover with a cloth and make use of this new elevation.
You may think you’re a writer - or speaker - first, but being a savvy marketer is part of the job description. Do you have other attention-getting techniques? Please share what you do to pull people to your table.
©2008, Brenda Nixon.
August 14th, 2008 at 18:14
HI Thanks for the hints. I haven’t had the pleasure of needing a book signing or public speaking engagement yet (I’m an unpub) — But these are great suggestions. I hope someday I’ll have to come back to this and use a few of your suggestions!!!
I like the smiley face idea!
August 14th, 2008 at 18:41
Brenda, you’re absolutely right about being your own best PR person. I’ve learned so much in the past several years about publicity (stuff I wish I had known when my first book came out) and your comments about signings are right on! I pretty regularly utilize the first two points you mentioned, but I love your “build ‘em high” theory. That’s a definite keeper for me! Thanks for the great info you’ve given us this week.