A good ideal is to order and have some of your own books on hand, for if the store sell all of your books, that were ordered. The manager of the bookstore sometimes will allow you to sell yours, if you ask ahead.

Once the book signing is scheduled, that is when the real work begins!

*Make flyers on your PC and pass them out everywhere, ask your family and friends to pass your flyer to other friends and co-workers. Talk to everyone about your book; ask some of the small papers to write you a review to pass out during the book signing!

*You will need bookmarks as freebies, be sure to have your email and contact information somewhere on them, in case some people want to contact you after the book signing at a later date.

If you search the internet you will find very reasonable prices for most of your marketing material!

I ordered my bookmarks online from  Next Day Flyers. I downloaded my logo and designed the bookmarks on their site. I ordered a thousand bookmarks the cost $37.00 and they are a good grade.

I ordered two very large posters, one with the front of my book cover and the other with the back of the cover to stand on an easel at the front of the store. I used Sir Coopers Inc. on line and paid a total of $48.00 for both. I then went to Walmart and bought two poster frames to protect them at a very low cost.

This is a good investment because you will be able use them at every book signing.

I ordered my business cards from Vista print online. I received 250 free, then ordered a thousand more at a very low cost. Vista also holds frequent specials offering many opportunities to receive freebies like magnets, letterheads and postcards with you logo on them.

In addition place your business cards on the table available to the attendees at your signing. Often the people that are undecided about your book during the signing may use it later to contact you wanting to purchase your book.

Placing chocolates or candy on your table will help bring people to where you are, while they stand to unwrap the candy, this will give you an opportunity to talk with them about your book. 

Visit businesses in your area before the book signing and ask them to donate some items for drawings to hold during the book signing.

For my book signing, I had one restaurant owner, that was kind enough to donate a $50.00 gift certificate for a dinner for two at the "Melting Pot" and other smaller restaurants followed suit and donated certificates for some free buffet dinners.

I visited salons and received three free professional manicures for separate drawings! My dentist also donated a $50.00 stylish dental whitening pen for another drawing.  

Remember this is also free advertisement for their businesses, besides wanting to help support a new up coming author in the community.

Remember people love freebies and you want to draw a crowd! Do not forget to add this information about the drawing to your flyers, before passing them out. The response is great.

Most bookstores will instruct you to bring your promotional materials a week before the signing. They request small posters and the large posters of your book cover to set in the front of the store, for people to view your book and advance notice of your up coming book signing.  

At least two weeks before the book signing contact the local media about the event; announce the signing on community calendars and in your neighborhood newsletters.

Now it's the day before the signing, with everything now prepared, get a good night sleep, for the hard part is over.

Arrive early at the book signing with a small gift for the owner who scheduled the signing. Set up your table and freebies, introduce yourself and get to know all the staff's names working in the store that day. If the staff finds you personable, they are usually willing to help promote your book.

Do not forget to take a camera! During the book signing, do not just stand behind the table! Mingle, introduce yourself and  shake hands with the people, smile, be very personable. The ideal is to first sell you and the book sells are sure to follow.

A reminder, If at the book signing no books sell, try not to get upset. For if you make a lasting good impression, most people before leaving will take your flyers and cards, then may go later and buy your book. Keep a good attitude whatever the outcome and the manager will be more likely to ask you to return for another signing.

For most bookstores the sell of four to seven books defines a good signing.  In addition a large crowd pleases the bookstore managers, because they have people not only for your book signing, but also sees a valuable opportunity to sell other books and items in the store.

One last important point, You should never forget to thank the staff and the manager at the end of the book signing, also take a picture with them to place on your site. Not to forget the picture can be later put to use for good advertisement, when going after your next book signing.

Try to make each book signing as a wonderful adventure and just have fun, for you have worked very hard for this!

I hope this bit of detailed information helps!

I wish everyone the best and wish you many book signings!