Planning a Successful Book Launch/Signing on Fun -Fri-YAYY!

Happy Fri-Yayyy My Friends.

Thanks so much for your good wishes on my book launch which gave me the energy needed to set the tone for an amazing afternoon and I had soooo much fun!!!. As soon as I got there a wave of calm came in. The caterer’s were there, setting up food when I arrived and the staff greeted me along with my friend Rhonda and my husband as we prepared for our guests. Drinks arrived, books were stacked, a signing table, microphone and chairs were placed and people started filtering in one by one.

The beauty of the event was I knew most of the people that were invited and it felt like old home-week greeting friends as they arrived which made all of the difference in the world. My mom was sitting front and center as were my hosts and friends beaming. I was blessed Bonnie Sabrina Pospisil (Psychoanalyst & LMFT retired) who endorsed my book was there with her husband and her light bulb smile. All that was needed were my 2 girls and grand-babies and as soon as they filtered in we started. The room was packed with 50 people in the audience and standing room only.

I can’t tell you how much fun it was to be sharing my book with such a captivated audience. One of my friends gifted me with a beautiful black and gold Cross signing pen which really made me feel official when I signed books. I was beyond touched and I truly felt loved and supported. I can’t thank my friends, Lynn, Shawn and Rhonda enough for hosting such an amazing event and of course Cheenie at Books Inc in Palo Alto. The day before, they hosted Jane Fonda for an event so it was fun following on her coattails.

I thought I would share what makes a successful Book Launch or Speaking engagement, with you today now that I’m an expert IMHO. Lol.

Successful Book Launch

Plan Ahead: Make flyers, brochures, invites, share it when you see people. Word of mouth is everything.
Location: A place that has does these regularly is great. The put you on their website and advertise, post a flyer in their window, have chairs, a microphone, chairs, staff to help, your books on site they have ordered usually, tables for food, drinks, signing.
Friends that help with invitations, food, drinks, sharing the word, set up, greeting
Send out invitations 1 month to 6 weeks ahead and a reminder about 4 days before. We have a lot of people that were traveling so be flexible.
Time Frame: 20-25 minute talk 10 minute Q.& A.
Practice you talk and have and outline: Thank everyone for being there, the hosts, bookstore, the people who supported your journey.
Talk: Be engaging, make eye contact, serious, funny, on point, share what your book is about with a beginning, middle and end and share a short story about each item to bring it to life. Sometimes I pick, a point person to look at that gives me energy but this time I was able to look at most everyone
Stay on point. The day before I wrote a quick poem/song and added a chorus and shared it with Rhonda who you know because I’ve shared some of her songs she has written on my blog. I thought this would be great fun to sing at the end of the talk and a chance to highlight her as well. She looked at me and said “No, we are here to sell books”. Besides which it would take weeks if not days to practice, come up with a tune, melody etc. What was I thinking to ask a professional song writer to entertain my whims. I did however break out into the song “Celebration” where we sang and ab-libbed for a minute which was fun.
Announce book signing and sign books
Thank Everyone again
Help with break down and clean up.
Celebrate! The most important of all which we did with family, and hosts. The girls were so happy to get out and have a proper dinner under a sliver smiling moon. Thanks our hostess with the mostest for opening your home! 🎉🍾🥳👏🎈🙌🏽🥂

Here’s my “song” Rhonda vetoed. Maybe you can see why lol 😂

Finding the authentic you,
it’s not that hard to do,
just look inside
to find what’s true.

Chorus

Your true colors are shining through,
Yes, your true colors are shining.
Never let any one try to define you
because your true colors are shining through.
Open your eyes and heart to see
your as beautiful as you say is true.
Your colors shine through,

when life’s crazy days,
feel like a zoo.
Remember when you’re feeling blue
your true colors can’t be hidden from you.

Chorus

Your true colors are shining through,
your true colors are shining.
Never let any one try to define you
because your true colors are shining through.
Open your eyes and heart to see
your as beautiful as as you say is true

Life is busy and we all get lost,
It’s part of the maze in this mixed up world.
So keep the faith at any cost
When you forget who you are,
don’t let your wings get furled.

Chorus

Brighter days are coming, they always do,
Keep and umbrella for the rain or splash in the puddles.
Look to the horizon when you feel blue
And wear golashes and remember jump in the puddle.

Chorus

Friends are there to remind you of you are
When you get down in the mouth,
And let you know you are a shining star
So look to the East
Where love meets
Never too far.

Chorus

Rainbows always follow with a pot of gold
So be patient my friend
As your story comes full circle and is told
Trust that you are healing and on the mend.

Chorus

Life is beautiful you’ll find in time
So never give up your authentic true self
Make a toast and whine or wine
And celebrate to your spirit and health.

Chorus

Have a great weekending💕

💓

Cindy