How to Engage People at Author Events

I was there as part of a group of authors from the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. It was an outdoor event, on a rainy day, at the same time when both Michigan and Michigan State football were playing games at home. Not the best setup for a highly attended festival…

Stand, if you’re able. Standing up or getting out in front of your table just makes it easier to get noticed. You’re clearly visible, and it can more natural to engage.
Bring some goodies! Regardless of your book genre, bring items to give away. Who doesn’t like a freebie? For my books I have coloring pages, mazes, and some specialty items like stickers, dreidels, and globes. But don’t just let someone grab and go…
Make the first move! Start a conversation, even if it has nothing to do with your book. Like I said above, “Do you know the score of the football game?” was a sincere question that I asked people passing by my table. And it turns out that many of those people had grandchildren- and those grandchildren love to read. Conversation leads to sales! 80% of my sales at this event came from making the first move, being friendly, and chatting with folks strolling by.