If you have a significant number of local followers/fans, having a book signing at a bookstore can bring a few sales for both you and the store. It’s also an excellent opportunity to meet new potential readers, so make sure you have your “elevator pitch” describing your book(s) ready as well as some freebies and swag. Perhaps conduct a drawing to increase interest, but don’t give away something you want them to buy!

If you’re not familiar with “elevator pitches”, they’re a very short hook to interest someone in your book that you can explain in a minutes or less. Thus, when someone asks you what you book is about, you have a ready response rather than hemming and hawing, and going into a lengthy explanation that makes their eyes glaze over.

Freebies and swag should have your website or a buy link and relate to your story in some manner; having an image of your cover is great. The more useful the item is, the better.