- Joined
- Jun 8, 2015
- Messages
- 298
- Reaction score
- 37
- Location
- Charm City, USA
- Website
- rochellekarina.com
I just got confirmation I'm participating in the annual book festival here. It's a huge event, well attended and people tend to go to the author's tent to buy books.
Each author gets a 4-foot table space and a chair. They provide the table drape, and a basic, 8.5x11 sign (all of them are identical - festival branding, author name, title or titles).
The author is responsible for decorations, other signage, any promotional items/giveaways, etc.
I'm not a newbie to the trade/festival/show marketplace, so I do understand the basics of putting together an attractive display. But... I have some questions, and some "hey, I thought maybe...." ideas that I'd like other opinions on...
My questions are:
I cannot use music, or anything that creates noise. I need to keep whatever I do within the footprint of the table and chair space, it's generous, but not huge. I know from experience at shows that folks will come along and just scoop candy by the handful, and they will do the same with any truly nice promo items, so that's another reason to avoid going too expensive there.
Expected foot traffic is in the range of 50,000 people each day of the festival. I'm slated for what is traditionally their busiest day.
Thanks!
Each author gets a 4-foot table space and a chair. They provide the table drape, and a basic, 8.5x11 sign (all of them are identical - festival branding, author name, title or titles).
The author is responsible for decorations, other signage, any promotional items/giveaways, etc.
I'm not a newbie to the trade/festival/show marketplace, so I do understand the basics of putting together an attractive display. But... I have some questions, and some "hey, I thought maybe...." ideas that I'd like other opinions on...
- Basic design: in such limited space, I'm thinking a freestanding vertical banner for behind the table - featuring book covers, author headshot, and web info. Simple and colorful. (I am uncertain of my exact location in the tent so I don't know if I can go horizontal - some spaces you can, others you can't, and I won't find out until about 2 weeks before the festival - too late to order a banner).
- Table design: I'm considering using an ipad with a slide show of appropriate images (I've got plenty, and they suit the thriller that is the full-length novel I'm promoting), as well as a guestbook/sign up to receive author updates (paper and pen type), a candy bowl, and whatever promotional items I have. Copies of the books, blow-ups of the covers behind them, and plenty of business cards.
- Promotional items: Here's where I need some help. My first instinct is to good quality bookmarks, printed with book covers, maybe a quote, and web info. Other ideas I've had thrown at me include: custom printed lip balms, small votive candles with a custom label, custom printed candies (seems silly since people will throw away the part you want them to keep.) Others have suggested custom printed paper fans.
My questions are:
- Does all of that sound reasonable?
- What would you add to or take away?
- Any ideas for promotional items? Budget and time conscious is important to me.
I cannot use music, or anything that creates noise. I need to keep whatever I do within the footprint of the table and chair space, it's generous, but not huge. I know from experience at shows that folks will come along and just scoop candy by the handful, and they will do the same with any truly nice promo items, so that's another reason to avoid going too expensive there.
Expected foot traffic is in the range of 50,000 people each day of the festival. I'm slated for what is traditionally their busiest day.
Thanks!
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