Prepare to exhibit: Book festival paraphernalia
Autumn is the season of the BOOK FESTIVAL, and I'm excited to divulge some information pertaining to book fair paraphernalia today.
I am preparing to exhibit at the Collingswood, NJ, Book Festival, so I am in the market for a banner and some incentives for shoppers to buy my books. Some authors give away candy to attract customers, and I've given bonuses of mini candles, pens, bookmarks, and stickers before, but this time I wanted something less expected and more enticing.
1) Most of the authors at the book festivals I've participated in the last three years have had a banner—or several—decorating their space. It's a good way to draw attention and fill out the area that surrounds your table. A banner colorfully highlights the author's book(s) along with their name, title(s), a review or book quote, maybe a picture of the author, along with some artistic flair.
Someone somewhere had told me that banners cost a lot of money, so I wasn't interested in making one. But then I went on Canva (my graphic design site of choice), and what I discovered was heartening. The biggest banner they offer is about 7 feet tall and around $144. Not too bad if you plan to attend several festivals a year.
In true user-friendly form, Canva provided everything I needed to create the banner that you see in the photo above, and I did so in—I'm not exaggerating—15 or 20 minutes. I selected a background photo, added my book covers and the little bit of text at the top and bottom, and that was it. Banner design accomplished.
Canva then delivered the banner in about four days. Amazing!
2) Miniature book key chains (photo below). I went on Etsy to look for some cute purchasing incentives (as in "buy two or more of my books, get a bookish key chain free"), and came across these beauties at Ink and Shrink Swag.
Again, it could not have been easier to have these made. I selected what I wanted (aside from mini book key chains, she also makes necklaces, ornaments, other tchotchkes). I paid for my purchase, uploaded a PDF of my paperback book cover, and soon heard from Kristina, the owner/maker of the mini books.
I told her when I needed them, and she said it would not be a problem.
I received the package within a week. The little books are beautiful and shiny and excellent quality—and Kristina included a surprise mini book necklace and ornament as well. Bonus gifts!
I'm sure many authors who subscribe to my newsletter can use this service, so if you do, be sure to tell Kristina I sent you! I won't receive any perks, but I do want her to know I appreciate her good work and recommend it to others.
3) Other giveaways. I went to Party City and bought some green plastic aliens that glow in the dark for those who might like a little green friend to read The Moon Children to. And, to go with my book Staked: A Vampire's Tale I found some pretty enamel coffin charms. After all, the book fair takes place during the Halloween season.
4) Business cards. During past events, I was surprised by how many old freelance writing cards I gave away. I’d brought the cards just in case someone asked about my editing business. But people sometimes ask for a card because they are thinking about buying your book. They’d rather go home and look up your reviews before they make a purchase.
In that case, I ended up penning in my author info. This year I will be ready with cards that have my website address, Instagram handle, and email address. You can even put a QR code that will take them straight to your book, if you want to.
Once again, I opened up Canva for this task. I was happily surprised by how many templates I found for making business cards. I loved several of them, so I had to select the best one for my needs, then quickly fill in my info. and order it right from the site. They delivered it to me in three or four days.
Full disclosure: I have an upgraded account with Canva and pay $15 a month. I don’t receive anything for recommending their services to you.
