| Vacations are a great thing, but as an author don't | | | | nowhere, with kids running around willy-nilly, who are |
| you think it's time those books you wrote and got | | | | looking for ways to occupy their time. You simply |
| published start paying their way? | | | | send one of your kids over with a card or bookmark |
| This is the time of year when we all hop into our | | | | to tell the new temporary neighbors, "Hey my dad is |
| cars and head for scenic overlooks, family reunions, | | | | an author and he has some of his books for sale." |
| and the beloved campsites with the family. Okay, I | | | | They will graciously take the card and look at it. No |
| hope some of you do, I prefer a book festival with a | | | | one wants to be rude. Now, at this point, chances |
| hotel and room service...dang prima dona publishers. | | | | are the wife is a fishing, hunting, or hiking widow and |
| At any rate...what do you do when you are traveling | | | | will be in the market for something to do and |
| to promote your books? I know for some of you it | | | | someone to talk to. She will come to you and ask |
| is truly difficult to visit a multitude of bookstores with | | | | about your book and then you hook into buying it, or |
| your kids and spouse in tow yelling, "Are we going to | | | | at the very least ask her to tell a friend about your |
| stop at another bookstore?" | | | | book. Viola! |
| Well, let's get creative! Traveling is a wonderful | | | | Hotels: For those of you who prefer the comforts, |
| opportunity for promoting outside your comfort | | | | as I do, don't let the chance to make those FREE |
| zone, and you won't have to even talk to people if | | | | continental breakfasts work for you. When you go |
| you don't want to. Consider all the places you could | | | | down for breakfast take a small stack of books, a |
| promote your book. | | | | small tabletop poster, and a pen. You set yourself up |
| Rest area bathrooms: You simply carry a stack of | | | | in the middle of the room (I suggest in the direct line |
| specially designed bookmarks or post cards that have | | | | of the television screen) and see what happens. If |
| your cover on it, with a bold header that says | | | | you are really bold, set a post card on each table and |
| "Please Take me!" You stick them on top of toilet | | | | see if anyone notices. Keep an eye on those cleaning |
| paper holders, under the corner of a mirror above | | | | folks, or let them know you are a touring author and |
| the sink, shoot, tape it to the paper towel dispenser. | | | | are putting out a couple pieces of promo materials. If |
| It will get thrown away, you say! Maybe, but not until | | | | you end up selling a bunch of books you might |
| at least one or two people look at it, and another | | | | consider taking that last book and signing it to the |
| has to physically pick it up to toss it. I am 99% | | | | housekeeper who did not throw away your materials. |
| certain the person throwing it away will read it first. | | | | Nice gesture and well worth the investment. |
| Maybe even be interested enough to stick it in their | | | | You could even ask the hotel manager if you could |
| pocket instead to look at it later. People who travel in | | | | do an impromptu book signing in the lobby. You might |
| packs almost always have at least one reader in the | | | | invest in a box of cookies and some soda and they |
| group--the passenger! Don't let them get away! | | | | might let you put a sign up announcing the time. |
| Fast Food restaurants: Whether you drive thru or eat | | | | What hotel manager would not like to offer their |
| in, you should hand a card or bookmark to the | | | | guests an added bonus that they didn't have to do |
| cashier or server. Again, they will look at it, and if you | | | | anything for? |
| have put a clear message on it, it will do the work | | | | The bottom line is to let the materials do the work |
| for you. "Not a reader? Give me to a friend who is!" | | | | for you. Don't be embarrassed to put that note on |
| Most people will, younger people might actually think | | | | the front asking them to pass it along. |
| of their old and decrepit 40-50 year old parents who | | | | Don't miss a chance to claim at least some of your |
| sit on the couch reading after dinner. | | | | vacation expenses for business. Just be sure to log |
| Campsites: Holy cow. This could be a gold mine of | | | | what you are doing and try to visit at least one |
| opportunity. You have people out in the middle of | | | | store or library. Happy Trails! |