Preparing for your first book tour can be an exciting, but also overwhelming experience.
From booking appearances at conferences and bookstores to figuring out how to move books from one city to another, sorting out the logistics of it all can be exhausting.
On that note, here’s a checklist of necessities to help you navigate through this rigorous process.
Budgeting For Your Book Tour
Touring can be expensive and is not necessarily a money-making endeavor, so drawing up a budget should be your first move.
Calculate how much you can afford to invest in the tour while considering the cost of transportation, accommodation, and day-to-day living cost like food
You can even include funds for items you might forget to pack on your tour.
If you can’t afford to pay for your expenses you can source for grants, or a crowdfund, partner with sponsors, or obtain loans that align with your finances.
Remember to always contact your financial advisor before taking any big financial step.
Booking Appearances
After having a budget in place, you need to do some research on bookstores, libraries, conferences, and literary festivals where you can secure appearances.
The best way to do this is to narrow down your research to areas that coincide with your planned tour cities.
When you narrow your search down and have a shortlist, the next step is to reach out to them, inquiring about booking a reading or signing event.
After getting approvals, you will have to coordinate the date and time of each venue you’ll be appearing at and traveling to, while also putting into consideration the travel and accommodation expenses.
Leveraging Social Media and Other Marketing Channels
You’ll need to do some promoting after choosing the days and planning every other aspect.
Asides from using traditional means like flyers and press releases to promote awareness, the use of social media is a necessary tool if you want to create a buzz and interact with readers.
Some procedures to follow to properly utilize social media are:
1. Build Your Social Media Presence
You need to maintain a busy and engaging social media profile. This includes having a professional author website alongside a busy profile on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other pertinent platforms.
2. Create A Hashtag
A distinctive hashtag for your book tour can help create excitement and allow readers to easily follow along.
Use your hashtag consistently in all of your social media messages, and urge your followers to do the same.
3. Share Updates Regularly
In the weeks and months leading up to the book tour, share regular updates that could range from your events to your travel schedule and behind-the-scenes glimpses.
Use a combination of either pictures or videos with texts to help keep your users interested and motivated, which in turn keeps readers engaged and excited.
4. Use Paid Advertising
While natural social media posts can be effective, you may also want to consider using paid advertising to reach a wider audience.
Platforms like Facebook and Instagram offer targeted advertising options that can help you reach readers who are likely to be interested in your book.
5. Partner With Influencers
You can use influencer marketing, a potent instrument for product promotion, to reach new audiences with your book tour.
Identify relevant influencers who will likely be interested in your work and pitch your work to them, while stating your expectations.
You can also offer to give a review copy or arrange an interview when you contact writers, podcasters, and other influential people in your field or niche.
6. Offer Giveaways and Contests
Hosting competitions and giveaways can be an entertaining way to generate chatter and also reward your devoted followers.
Encouraging followers to share your social media messages and join events can provide different incentives, like exclusive merchandise, signed versions of your book, or other prizes.
Moving Books And Materials
Transporting books and other supplies between cities is one of the biggest difficulties encountered when traveling on book tours.
Moving large crates of books and other materials can be very challenging, and damaged books may result from improper packaging or careless handling. You must therefore be extremely careful when deciding how to transfer your resources.
To assist with this, speak with a reputable moving company to learn the costs of moving out of state and for assistance with transportation planning.
Benefits Of Hiring A Moving Company
There’s no going wrong when it comes to hiring a moving company instead of moving your items on your own. Be it long distance or short distance, the benefits always outweigh the cost.
First off, it takes away the stress of moving heavy materials from one location to another.
Secondly, these movers are well-trained and have a lot of experience. As such you can be sure that your materials will be delivered on time and without damage.
Hiring a mover also gives you more time to focus on other pressing issues involving your tour, like preparing for readings and connecting with readers.
Lastly, it is cost-effective, as it is less expensive than moving your belongings yourself. The time, energy, and money needed to DIY a move are higher than hiring a moving company.
Preparing For Readings And Signings
In addition to coordinating and moving your materials, you will have to prepare for the event itself.
This preparation includes and is not limited to practicing your reading or presentations, organizing or distributing any promotional materials you’ll need to distribute, and preparing talking points or questions for Q&A sessions.
After all your preparations are made, you can be sure of a successful and exciting book tour.
Book tours are meant to be thrilling, as it is a fantastic opportunity to connect with readers who appreciate your work and also promote your work.
They require meticulous planning and preparation, but by following our checklist of necessities, you’re safely strapped on a rollercoaster to a smooth and successful book tour.
Now, get ready to hit the road and share your work with the world.