I think that just you, your book and a table is all you really need. Having book marks and/posters are nice, but you don't need them. The quality of the book is what people really want. If you have an attractive cover that is the first step. Otherwise, just be yourself. A business card is handy and having a link to your webpage is good. I've been to many book signings and I've seen people bring all sorts of "extras", but in the end. They did not really sell any more books than those who had only their book.
No, no, no. Not true at all. You might not sell more of THOSE books to people with giveaways, but the books on the table aren't what you're selling. You're selling your backlist and soon-to-come books with giveaways. The book on the table might be the third of five intended, and what you're trying to do with a book signing at all is to make a reader aware of you.
If this is your first book, you want people to meet you. Tell them about your upcoming books and worlds you plan to write about in the future. It might be that this particular book isn't to their taste, but if they like you, the author, they might look up future books. Bookmarks aren't as big a thing as they used to be, now that ebooks are becoming more common. What I've seen a lot lately with ebook writers are
QRscan cards with free chapters or short stories that a passer-by can take with them, click with their phone or tablet. The code links to a page on your website with the text they can read and see if they like it. It's then already on their tablet to take with them.
I've personally had the best luck with pens and other items that people can take home with them and use later. But I don't use cheap pens.
I spend some quality money to buy metal pens with imprinting that actually take refills easily bought at an office supply store. I don't pass them out like penny candy, though, in a big basket on the table. I use them to sign with and pass it over to the person to sign up for a free basket or a newsletter. Usually, people like it so much that they wind up asking if they can have it. They then feel somewhat indebted and often buy a book.
I've had fans that have told me it was the pen that made them check out my books and then they've not only kept the pen, but bring it with them to
every signing so I can sign their books with that pen. Another one I've had good luck with is a
6-pack cooler that they can take to the beach or pool. There's no better exposure to the books than being in a public place where a dozen or hundred people see it without you doing a thing.
