Blogger: Kathleen Y’Barbo, Publicist
Location: The Woodlands, Texas PR Office
Next week Christian novelists will converge on Denver for the American Christian Fiction Writers annual conference. While this meeting of the authors will be part-business and part-pleasure for most, there are wonderful reasons to go that are completely publicity-oriented. After all, as I mentioned before in this column, publicity is hugely based on word-of-mouth. So, given that there will be a large contingent of folks who just might want to tell others about you and your book, what can an author (or prospective author) do to make the best conference ever?
1. Don’t be shy! Introduce yourself to others and carry a business card. This is good advice for any occasion, but especially at conferences. Be the first to say hello.
2. Make an extra effort to remember peoples’ names. Say their name aloud as you greet them.
3. Use eye contact and smile when first meeting someone. This goes just as much for a book signing or television event as it does for a conference. Give the person speaking your complete attention and do NOT allow your gaze to roam.
4. Be enthusiastic. People gravitate to positive, cheerful people. They are also more likely to remember you and, by default, your book.
5. Be able to speak on a variety of subjects, not just the usual three: you, your book, and writing. The guy who wrote the book on apologetics is not going to be nearly as memorable as the guy who wrote apologetics and told everyone at the table about this fabulous trip to the Amazon last year.
6. Become a cheerleader for other authors. Taking the focus off you often will cause just the opposite to happen. The Bible says we should be ready to rejoice with others.
7. Be ready with your brief blurb – emphasis on brief – or any publicity materials such as bookmarks or post cards. Don’t push them on people but rather wait until you’re asked. Or perhaps assign a few friends to circulate with some of the items (see point 6).
Perhaps you already do all of these things. Maybe you’re an author who wouldn’t miss a conference but never thought of it as a place where publicity can be accomplished. I’ve barely touched the surface for ideas. Now I’d like to hear your suggestions.
Wow me with your creative ideas!
Oh, and see you at the conference!
Great advice. I made “introvert” the first time they issued the merit badge, but I’m going to make every effort to be a people person next week. Networking is one of the greatest benefits of conference attendance.
Allow me one more bit of advice. Don’t nose your way in and shove someone aside to get a seat at an editor’s table. I’ve been told by one particular shovee that this happened to her. The shover got a seat at the editor’s table, but the shovee happened to be a first reader for the editor. Think she had her eyes out for that manuscript?
Great tips! This is going to be my first conference. I’m incredibly excited and appreciate the advice! 🙂
While I can’t get to Denver this year, I’m looking forward to Indianapolis next year. One tip I have: When you talk with someone and you get their business card, take a moment as soon as possible after your conversation to jot down the working title of their WIP. Then a few weeks or couple of months later drop them an email and ask how it’s going. People are very impressed that you remembered the name of their book. That’s using good networking skills. They will remember you.
Thank you so much for this great post.
Angie
http://MyGemofWisdom.com
As a reader who’s been at many conferences… yeah, I buy lots of books there. It’s like my souvenir of the conference. Not just the books of the main speakers, but also the books of other authors that I talk to. Great tips for hooking gullible readers like me. 🙂
Thanks for the reminders. I’m looking forward to being with so many Christian writers who are fulfilling their calling. I had no writer friends for my first years, and it’s a blessing to be among those intent on following the Lord.
“Would you like to hear about my trip to the Amazon last year?” (I’m practicing…)