Now, I know what you’re thinking. “I want to make money writing books!” Hopefully you will join the ranks of money-making novelists before long. In the meantime, let me give you my Top Ten list of suggestions on HOW to make money selling product after a speaking engagement.
1. Present yourself as an authority on your topic at hand and come up with a logical/reasonable stipend amount (but be willing to waive that if the group can offer you a large crowd and the promise of book sales afterward).
2. Let the person who invites you know that you need to sell books afterward (that this is your primary means of support) particularly if they do not offer a stipend.
3. Suggest that the company/organization run an article in their local paper or newsletter before your arrival. If they cannot, consider sending out a press release yourself.
4. Never travel more than an hour away from home unless you’re assured of a decent stipend or a large audience.
5. Give an interesting and engaging speech. (In my case, I use a quiz that requires audience participation. They really get into it!)
6. As you finish up your speech, read something from your book. In my case, I always choose the passage of the book where the nuns and children are being swept out of the second-story orphanage window by the storm waters. This means the audience members must buy my book in order to know what happens to them.
7. Set up an attractive book table with your product strategically displayed. If possible, have your book cover blown up to poster size and mounted on art/foam board. You can purchase an easel to hold it. Most important: Price your book at a reasonable amount, even if it means you don’t make quite as much money per book. I’ve found that dropping my original $12.99 asking price to $10 even was a great money-maker. Folks usually have a ten dollar bill floating around their purse or pocket. And $10 checks are easy to write.
8. If applicable, create a PowerPoint presentation to go along with your topic and your product. In my case, I use a laptop on my book table with photos of the storm’s devastation. It runs throughout my entire presentation.
9. Make yourself accessible to the people. Many will want to ask questions, etc. But don’t spend too much time with any one person, as doing so might cause you to lose other potential sales.
10. For those who are caught off-guard and do not have cash or checkbooks on hand, offer to either: a.) let them have the book now and send you a check later (I’ve done this countless times and have only lost money once) OR b). Get them your business card and ask them to send a check so that you can mail a book. If you do it this way, include a cost for postage.
