tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8584986441435970939.post1989686215341548795..comments2023-10-15T06:31:49.268-07:00Comments on JUST THE WRITE CHARISMA: When Opportunity KnocksAndreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17064541432630743730noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8584986441435970939.post-28990333322539346042011-02-12T13:50:22.008-08:002011-02-12T13:50:22.008-08:00Hi Gang,
Well I just got back from my event out at...Hi Gang,<br />Well I just got back from my event out at Barnes and Noble. Nothing went as expected. It went better! I got to see writers that I haven't seen for a long time. I sat next to Shelley Shepard Gray who is an awesome friend and writer. My crit buddy Ginny Powers provided a beautiful necklace to auction off. I talked to many people and overall had a blast. Everyone loved the mockups that Realms did for my novel. It was a special day. Now I'm headed out to eat dinner with my hubby. What's everyone doing for Valentine's celebrations?Jillian Kenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12565274151603868808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8584986441435970939.post-53032558720242737172011-02-11T17:36:46.949-08:002011-02-11T17:36:46.949-08:00Hi Donna Of GLR,
Thanks so much for stopping by. B...Hi Donna Of GLR,<br />Thanks so much for stopping by. Because my book is not out till May I thought that I'd get bookmarks for that event and use the business cards for this event. I'm taking in all the advice I can get and appreciate your suggestions. Drop by anytime.<br /><br />Andrea,<br />I don't think I'm as brave as you are, yet.:)Jillian Kenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12565274151603868808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8584986441435970939.post-27833603083889317962011-02-11T14:04:16.499-08:002011-02-11T14:04:16.499-08:00Jill, I love to hear what readers enjoy by the way...Jill, I love to hear what readers enjoy by the way of books too. But when you've got only a few seconds to catch the ears of passersby, the intro works well. Otherwise, you might ask and they'll keep on walking, not out of rudeness, but busyness. Know what I mean? However, if you share something about you then readers may stop and share their book interests with you. :)Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17064541432630743730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8584986441435970939.post-32620997652723915822011-02-11T12:33:52.175-08:002011-02-11T12:33:52.175-08:00I guess I'm really old-fashioned in the approa...I guess I'm really old-fashioned in the approach I would take. Business cards are okay but for the readers, you really want to hand them a bookmark telling the title, author, release date, story blurb, your website or blog site, or any other contact info you want to include (an email address and/or PO box address). Everyone who says "people first" is right on the mark. If you show sincere interest in what your visitors have to say and find something in common, you've connected in a more significant way. And I sure do relate to those above who say they are more introvert than social. My husband, who goes with me to public appearances, really knows how to work the personal contact angles. Best wishes!Great Lakes Romanceshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17055787529961958644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8584986441435970939.post-62337149194293076912011-02-11T12:03:36.536-08:002011-02-11T12:03:36.536-08:00Hi Greg,
I like being at eye level with folks too....Hi Greg,<br />I like being at eye level with folks too. And I enjoy talking to others about what they like to read. I remember walking into Borders once and a well-known author was sitting there with only one reader asking questions. I was surprised. I would think she felt pretty awkward and since she was from another country it didn't look like she'd brought any friends along.:)<br /><br />Andrea,<br />I think I'd be more prone to ask them what they like to read and then tell them what I write and what I'm doing at the bookstore. I'm hoping to practice tomorrow and see what happens? :)It's funny that I can easily pitch books for friends in a situation like that but for myself, that's awkward. But I do want to have fun.Jillian Kenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12565274151603868808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8584986441435970939.post-65891270006323676822011-02-11T08:11:48.651-08:002011-02-11T08:11:48.651-08:00I hate those sales pitches too. And yet my experi...I hate those sales pitches too. And yet my experience in bookstores and at my own signings is that customers don't always know I'm sitting there. So I "work the floor" as one writer-friend once termed it. But I don't push. I just introduce myself. "Hi, I'm Andrea Boeshaar and I'm here signing my books. I write Inspirational historical romance." Then I hand them a postcard or bookmark. Sometimes customers ask questions but if they don't seem interested I leave them alone and don't push. :)Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17064541432630743730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8584986441435970939.post-8488474554107909452011-02-11T07:42:29.308-08:002011-02-11T07:42:29.308-08:00It's been awhile since I've done a booksig...It's been awhile since I've done a booksigning, but what always worked for me in the past was being personable and initiating conversation. I know that when I'VE gone to a convention and I see an author I want to talk to just sitting there looking bored, it's really intimidating. When I'M the author, I like to be engaged in what's going on around me, starting conversations, making people laugh, oh and yeah I wrote a book. And I tend to stand a lot, too. I like to be at eye level with the people as they come up. It just makes me feel more comfortable. I'm introverted, too, but I'm used to dealing with customers all day who want to shoot the bull for a while before they get down to business (a "Southern thing", I guess). I think you're right, though, Mike--if I walk into a bookstore and see an author signing, I try and slyly sneak past because I'm afraid I'm going to get the sales pitch. I try not to pitch people until they actually ask me "Oh, you wrote a book? What's it about?"Greg Mitchellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09631434183155875197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8584986441435970939.post-83949975130400673742011-02-11T07:40:53.475-08:002011-02-11T07:40:53.475-08:00Good advice, Mike. I'll have to remember to br...Good advice, Mike. I'll have to remember to bring my hubby with me when I'm doing a signing by myself. He can talk up a storm where I'm a little more reserved. Don't get me wrong. I love to talk to people, I'm a counselor afterall, but that's a different kind of experience than facing prospective readers that might be interested in what you are writing. I'm going to have to find a public comfort zone. Saturday should be fun.Jillian Kenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12565274151603868808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8584986441435970939.post-14913561228988561762011-02-11T07:33:50.411-08:002011-02-11T07:33:50.411-08:00I agree with Lena. For me, book signings are less ...I agree with Lena. For me, book signings are less about pushing our wares and more about connecting with people. I've done quite a few book events and I always enjoy the multi-author ones best. I lean toward being an introvert so being in a group takes the pressure off me. And when I do a solo signing I try to take my wife with me. She's the warm and friendly type and people are just drawn to her. But I don't jump right in to my sales pitch. I want to talk to people first, build a bond, get to know them a little. As a society we're so inundated with sales pitches we, as authors, need to be careful not to be just another voice crying in the book aisle. A little motto I use in work, ministry, and writing: People always come first.Mike Dellossohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18323420902283524014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8584986441435970939.post-26553148660395335982011-02-11T07:32:20.002-08:002011-02-11T07:32:20.002-08:00Hi Andrea and Lena,
I agree that it's importan...Hi Andrea and Lena,<br />I agree that it's important to connect with our readers or future readers. If we can do that in person I think it means so much. Even if we're talking to people who don't currently have an interest in what we write they may change their minds or pass on the information. It's also an opportunity to talk to someone who may need a little encouragement. We never know what God has in store.Jillian Kenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12565274151603868808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8584986441435970939.post-67236598654019382792011-02-11T06:37:57.033-08:002011-02-11T06:37:57.033-08:00I really love meeting people at events like this. ...I really love meeting people at events like this. Building connections is the way to go to build a fan base.Lena Nelson Dooleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11060055435235263556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8584986441435970939.post-34044046731809862692011-02-11T06:29:45.203-08:002011-02-11T06:29:45.203-08:00As a writer, I want to start participating in more...As a writer, I want to start participating in more reader-oriented events. Over the years (and because I'm a life coach) I've focused on ministering to other writers and, alas, have probably neglected my readers. But that's about to change! :)Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17064541432630743730noreply@blogger.com