Swag

I know many of you don’t meet the reading public as often each month as I do, as I try to build a local readership, but I suspect most of you do attend book fairs and other author-related Meet & Greets from time to time. My cover designer extraordinaire, Nicki Forde, just brought me my newest bookmarks, and I had to share, because . . . gorgeous! Plus, she had the brilliant idea of putting a call for reviews on them this time, and I’m so in love with them, I couldn’t resist showing them off. Take a look at the bottom left of the front of my WRR series bookmark above. How clever is that?

Here’s the flip side with all my contact info. The bookmarks are 7″ long, so larger than they show up here, and very easy to read.

And, of course, she made me one for the Riverbend series, as well. *Happy sigh*

I do give away several other things at each event. Most of you know, I have several (19 or 20) custom tea blends named for characters in my books, and I give away small sample tins of those. People seem to love them, and the best part is they are a perfect size to hold paperclips or other small desk items after all the yummy tea is gone, so they hang on to them. With a book cover graphic and my name on them, it’s good advertising, though not something you want to send out en masse. They’re pricier than bookmarks.

In addition to these two items, I have postcards and brochures, which usually get grabbed up pretty quickly. My brochures, also designed by Nicki Forde, are so beautiful, I had to share them with you, too. They include all my books (so far) with blurbs, a bio, contact info, and some colorful photos. They also include info on how to book a Meet the Author ecotour, which I dearly love doing.

I can’t say for sure what the dollar return is on these things, but I figure anything that puts my name and book titles in front of potential readers is a worthwhile investment. And they make people smile, always a good thing.

So what about you guys? Any freebies for your readers? Do you give them away at places other than Meet & Greets or Trade Shows? Do you mail them out with ordered books, or take them to local bookstores for display? I’d love to hear what you are doing and what seems to work.

Let’s talk swag!

wrrbookmark
Side One of My Current Bookmark

You’ve written your book. It’s published and selling. Hopefully well. As part of your marketing strategy, do you have printed materials and other goodies with your name and book title on them? Do you offer any of them as give-aways on your blog or website? Do you have freebies to hand out at author events or book fairs? And on the other side of the coin, are you the kind of event attendee who picks up material from various vendors–in this case, authors?

I confess, I do both. I like having little gifts to share with people, and if they have my books listed on them, all the better. I can’t afford to do anything huge, but I do have bookmarks, postcards, and my favorite, custom tea blends in little keepsake tins with the book cover and my name on them. (Perfect for stashing paper clips or stamps, on a desk, or for use as travel tins for things like aspirin. They can even be refilled with tea. Imagine!)

I am doing an average of two presentations a month these days, and I enjoy setting up my table with things for folks to browse through afterward. While I’m signing books, it gives those waiting in line something to do, and if they leave with a handful of bookmarks, I hope they’ll share them. Maybe I’ll gain a new reader that way.

So, what’s your opinion on swag of this sort? Do you give any away? Do you pick up things at other tables? All of the above? None of the above? Why or why not? As always, inquiring minds wanna know! 🙂

riverbendbookmark
Side Two of the Same Bookmark