Maximising Your Relationship with Publishers for Author Events

Matthew Taylor, The Chepstow Bookshop

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Who we are

The Chepstow Bookshop, Monmouthshirewww.chepstowbooks.co.uk

@chepstowbooks

chepstowbookshop

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What we do• Rolling programme 70+ a year, with focused autumn and

spring seasons• Events/ talks in local venues• In-store signings• Visits to schools• Non-author events• Links with festivals and local event organisers

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Some Event Highlights• Nick Robinson, Dan Snow, David Attenborough, Clare

Balding, Nigella Lawson, The Gruffalo, Tony Robinson, Frank Gardner, Vince Cable, Andy McNab, Richard and Judy, Jeremy Kyle, Ranulph Fiennes, Alexander McCall Smith, Shirley Williams, Roy Hattersley, Kate Humble, Joanna Trollope, The Hairy Bikers, Michael Palin, Michael Parkinson, Peppa Pig, Alan Titchmarsh, Ann Widdecombe, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Ken Follett, Clarissa Dickson Wright, Simon Jenkins, Carol Ann Duffy, Rowan Williams, Justin Lee Collins, Ian Banks, Simon Armitage, John McCarthy …

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The 5 “P”s to success

• Politeness• Persistence• Promotion• Professionalism• Product

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Politeness

• Pitch in the correct way• Enthusiasm• Keep informed how ticket sales are going• No surprises on the day• Look after author and publicist at the event

(relaxed)• Say thank you at event and afterwards

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Persistence

• Follow up initial pitch• Get local rep on side• Email, call, meet• Start on smaller and local events and build• Manage your reputation

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Promotion• Social media• Flyers and posters• PR• Website and email database• Advertising• Local media• Word of mouth• At each event

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Professionalism• Exceed author and publisher expectations• Drive both ticket and book sales• PR• Build a sustainable and growing programme• Ensure your team and volunteers all know what they are

doing on the day• Look after the little things (water on stage, drinks, pens,

post its…)• Cope (and don’t show it) when things go wrong• Find your formula for success

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Product

• Entertaining, informative evening• Well known speakers• A local audience• Eclectic mix• Signed copies post event• Tickets online + in-store• The value of the events

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Measuring Success

• Happy author and publicist• Media coverage/ social media buzz• Customer/ audience reaction• Long term connections• Audience numbers• Book sales• The next event…

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Successes