Well, you don't say for sure, but I'm presuming this is in a bookstore. Yes, I have several suggestions:
1. Make sure that you contact the store TODAY and ask who the manager on duty will be during your signing. We've had signings where we set it up with one person, but the person on duty didn't know squat about it, leaving us looking like idiots! Yes, they scrambled to set it up while we were standing there, but it's just much more professional to ensure that it's all fixed for you.
2. Make sure that you take a Press Kit about the book along with you to give to the manager on duty (just in case he hasn't heard of you.) If you've never done a Press Kit before, you should learn. I give detailed instructions on how to make one over
here. Business cards are also a good idea, even if you only do them on your computer with Avery-style pre-cut ones.
3. Make sure that the store has ordered copies of your book and has them on hand. If you're bringing your own, make sure to stop by and have them make barcode stickers for the back before the event, so that the books can be checked out at the register. Also make sure that you have filled out a consignment form with the store and given them your billing information. Some stores will cut you a check for your portion on the spot. But others will send you a check in the mail on their regular schedule. Make sure you know how they do it, so you're not surprised.
4. Make sure that your table is in a traffic aisle, or near the front door. We've done signings in several small indie bookstores where we were shunted to a back corner. Gee, think maybe the people COULDN'T SEE US?!
Be nice and polite, but check out the layout of the store early. You might be able to suggest an alternative location if you're placed in an awkward spot. This doesn't happen often, though, since the bookstore's goal is to SELL BOOKS, so they usually put you right up front where people can see you.
5. Take along a dozen fresh new pens. A few will disappear. It just happens, so don't sweat it. But if you hit it off with someone there who might be able to help your career, it's good to be able to hand them a pen to write down contact information.
6. Take along a nice white or black tablecloth that will fit something about the size of a cardtable. Good, bad or indifferent -- people are much more likely to stop at a table that looks like the person is important. A tablecloth (for some unknown reason) seems to convey this. If the store already has one on the table, so much the better. But it really does help convey an "author-ish" image.
7. Take a small basket along and fill it with individually wrapped chocolates. Hershey's Kisses are good. What usually happens is that kids will spot it and then their parents will come over to apologize for the kid "taking" the candy. You are to act nonchalant, nice and polite and then chat them up about the book. They'll usually stay for a minute or two -- sort of as an apology, and if you can hook them with the story, they'll buy it.
8. Be extremely personable. You don't have to talk to every person, but try to meet their eyes as they walk by. Nod, smile and perhaps say something like, "Hi! How are you today?" Those inclined will stop to chat. Those who aren't, won't. But if the ones who didn't stop happen to notice others who have, they might stop by on their way out. It's sort of like one person staring at the sky for long minutes out on the street. Eventually, passers-by are almost
forced to look up. It's human nature.
9. If you have the time and money, have a poster sized copy of your cover made up and ask the store to put it in their window or tape it to the front counter the day before, so that people know you're coming. If you have a .jpeg or .gif of the cover image, you can take it to Kinkos, Office Depot, OfficeMax or Staples and have them produce an 11x17 color print of it. Then they can laminate it, so you can take it from place to place for your signings.
Remember, the more professional you make yourself APPEAR, the more professionally you'll be treated!
Good luck, and have fun!