What are the best times to hold events?
The venue will usually make the decision or recommendation for the best time to hold your event at their location. Sometimes the retailer will choose a time based on the amount of traffic they have coming through their store at a particular time of day. Your availability is also a big part of choosing a time. Make sure you have a good window of time to hold the event, in case it runs over the projected length. Work with the venue to find a time that works best for both of you.
We recommend having your event between 4:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m. Many people work during the day and may not be able to make it in the morning, early afternoon or later than 7:00pm, especially on a weeknight.
Where should I set up my table, poster, and books?
Try to setup as close as possible to traffic pathways, whether this is by the front door or by the checkout line. The venue will often decide where you are located, so you may find yourself in a less-than-ideal location due to space constraints. If this is the case, negotiate with the person in charge. Be persuasive, persistent, diplomatic, and kind. Try to vie for a good location, as that can make a big difference in the number of books you’re able to sell. You want to be as visible as possible!
Should I have a theme or title for the event?
Try to create an interesting, attention grabbing title for your event. When submitting your event to media, event calendars, social media, or coming up with a flyer, having a catchy and memorable name for your event can pique public interest and increase your turnout. Brandylane author Dave Coogan and the co-authors of Writing Our Way Out: Memoirs from Jail have come up with a number of great event titles, including “Bearing Witness: Art as Social Justice,” “Writing and Teaching for Social Change” and “Breaking the Cycle of Crime and Incarceration.” These titles are all much more interesting than simply “Book Talk” or “Author Reading and Signing.”
If you’re doing a reading, gearing your reading selections to this theme or title can help tie the event together in an interesting, engaging way.
