Community Book Festivals
panelists Julia Davis, The Book Worm Bookstore; and Patrick Kern, Little District Books
For bookstores interested in starting a book festival in their town. Davis and Kern discussed how a community book festival can add another revenue stream, and deepen relationships with community partners, publishers, and authors. They emphasized the importance of early planning, a well-structured festival website, and involving community partners in every part of the planning process:
- Start planning at least 11 months in advance, and begin outreach for authors, speakers, and sponsors.
- Create a social media kit for authors, sponsors, and stakeholders.
- Identify influencers in your community and involve them in marketing and outreach.
- Do your research! Look at other niche festivals to gauge the pricing ranges for tickets, vendor fees, and venues.
Community Book Festivals Handout
Book Fair Tips
moderator and panelist Kit Little, Professional Booksellers School; with panelists Talia Smart, Flyleaf Books; and Maggie Parrish, East City Bookshop
Although the phrase “book fair” is usually associated with school and library fundraising events, they can also be a creative way to partner with other local businesses and organizations. Bookstores have expanded book fairs to be successful adult-only “Boozy Book Fairs” — created in partnership with local breweries or wine bars, in-store multi-day events for local partner organization fundraisers, off-site pop-up events for community partners, and more.
The session panelists, all veterans of running different book fair models, both on-site and off-site, noted that these events require adequate planning, communication, and relationship-building to succeed. Developing strong relationships with partner organizations, establishing clear communication, and setting well defined expectations for all involved are paramount to a well run book fair and repeat business. It is also important to establish effective inventory and sales management strategies to maximize sales and ensure accurate record keeping, fulfillment, and reporting:
- Create documentation clearly outlining expectations for partner organizations.
- Develop branded marketing and promotional materials early in the planning process to share with partner organizations and ensure consistent messaging.
- Curate inventory to be appropriate to the partner and event.
- Create systems to track book fair timelines/checklists, partner organizations and contacts, as well as book fair ROIs and metrics.
- Have a dedicated, branded website page for each book fair for promotion and ordering, to increase accessibility and sales.
- Talk to publishers about discounts, sponsorships, and in-kind support.
Book fairs create a separate revenue stream, but also open the door for other opportunities like B2B sales, cross promotion & marketing, and future partner events.
Book Fair Tips Handouts:
Book Fair Flier | Book Fair Coupons | Book Fair Brochure | Hosting a Book Fair for Grown-Ups | ECB Book Fair Planning Checklist