Increase book exposure through author speaking engagements

One surefire way to get the word out about a book is for the author to start a public speaking campaign. Authors who pursue speaking engagements get more attention for their books. Some authors have single-handedly propelled their books to best-seller status through ongoing trips and lectures across the country.

Even if an author doesn’t have the ability to travel and talk a lot due to other life commitments, don’t overlook this important aspect of book marketing. Authors who are willing to give even a few speaking engagements will develop a loyal reader base and increase sales of their books.

Starting

A good place for authors to start talking about the topic of their book is through local bookstores and libraries. Many bookstores (especially Borders and Barnes & Noble) will host short author seminars for their customers. Libraries do this too. Authors who take advantage of these opportunities can sell autographed copies of their books after these events and increase their sales.

Nonfiction authors usually have a built-in topic to talk about. However, authors of fiction and children’s books can create opportunities to speak. For example, children’s book authors can volunteer to read their children’s books at a bookstore or library during National Literacy Month (September). An author of a young adult fiction title might volunteer to lead a short fiction writing seminar for teens at a local library. Mystery authors can take advantage of Barnes & Nobles’ October mystery month. These ideas are just a few of the many opportunities that can be created for authors to schedule talks to promote their books.

While building a public speaking business takes time, public speaking can be profitable for authors who undertake this aspect of their book marketing campaign. Initially, authors will usually need to speak for free and use each share to sell books. However, once a speaking business is established, authors can start charging for their speaking services.

If an author has no prior experience as a speaker or is afraid of the idea of ​​speaking in front of a group of people, consider getting some public speaking training by reading books on public speaking or taking classes. A good place to gain public speaking knowledge and confidence is to join a local Toastmasters club (www.toastmasters.org).

Securing speaking engagements

Talk engagements need to be pursued and pursued. Opportunities only fall within the span of those authors who have built the speaking side of their profession over time. Most new speakers will have to spend time cultivating speaking engagements.

All kinds of events have authors as speakers. Authors can seek speaking engagements by identifying specific events and groups geared toward their book’s target audience as potential speaking venues. For example, a book on healthy dating habits for teens could lead to talks in middle and high schools, as well as community and church youth groups.

When an event or group has been identified as a potential speaking venue, the next step is for the author to contact the organizers of the group and submit an author bio and talking point with synopsis for their consideration.

Summary

How many books can you sell through conferences? The number depends on the event, the speaker and the audience. Whether book sales add up to three hundred or three hundred, remember that every speaking engagement is exposure. And the exhibition relies on itself to produce future book sales.