Meetup For Signings
For more information, please email us.

Whether you are published by Eloquent Books or Strategic Book Publishing, one very simple and very lucrative medium through which to set up a series of local book signings, no matter what corner of the world you live in...is Meetup.com.

If you are not familiar with Meetup.com, this no-cost site brings together groups of people that have common interests to meet, learn and socialize.

As soon as today, you can use Meetup to schedule local public appearances and book signings. Most Meetup groups are looking for authors, presenters, guests and experts to visit the group and share some information.

By clicking the link below, you’ll see a list of topics of interest that Meetup members gather to talk and learn about:

http://www.meetup.com/topics/

(Notice that “book club” is at the top of the list!)

So, whether your book is a crime thriller, a memoir, a cookbook, a self-help book, a children’s book, etc., Meetup.com provides a variety of captive audiences that are already established for you by topic of interest. Each group is full of people who are ready to meet YOU and learn the new things you have to share about your book, your career, your expertise, and your life experiences.

So here’s how you can get your public appearances scheduled right away:

1) Find your city here: http://www.meetup.com/cities/

2) Search around the groups until you find about 10-20 local groups you’d like to approach to be scheduled for a talk/book signing.

3) Once you have your list, you can begin emailing group leaders to let them know you’re available. (The group leader’s email address is on the left side of each group’s main page.) Let them know what you can talk about that would benefit their group members specifically. When you contact group leaders, be sure to include a link to your website or blog if you have them. BUT be sure NOT to push for book sales…just let them know what you can talk about that would benefit their group members specifically. Meetup has a very receptive and open style and they enjoy meeting those who have common interests. Your talk can be very informal or formal. Don’t worry if you are not a polished toastmaster. Just be personable and genuine and they will love you.

4) Make sure your talks are scheduled far enough ahead of time so that you have time to time to order copies of your book to bring to each talk. You may even wish to invite local media to attend, especially if it will be a large turnout.

How to place an order so you have books on hand for the event:
To place a book order, the easiest way is to send an email to: bookorder@aeg-online-store.com

When sending a book order to this email, please remember to include:

a) Title of book
b) Quantity and format (hardcover/softcover - whichever your book is set up as)
c) Shipping method (UPS Ground, UPS 2nd Day, USPS Book rate)
d) Shipping address Shipping address (Street address is necessary for UPS shipping)
e) Upon receipt of the order request, a payment invoice will be sent to you as an attached pdf. This must be paid prior to the order being submitted.

Depending on where the books will be shipped to, plan on 1-3 business days for processing the order from the book team, and 9-12 business days for the books to print and ship.

Important things to know:

It’s possible to be suspended from Meetup.com , so be careful not to be too overzealous! Their policy says: “Using Meetup.com to advertise merchandise, auctions, services or commercial websites, including offers to trade or charitable solicitations unrelated to the topic or spirit of the Meetup Group; Posting any Public Information or other material that promotes another website is grounds for warning or suspension. Now, don’t let this scare you. Just be sure to be discrete in your approach to groups. Study each group’s home page before writing because each group has a different approach to inviting guests. If you make the effort to genuinely befriend a group, that relationship will likely lead to many more signings, and many book sales in your area.

When you have success (and you will)…
As you begin to schedule appearances with Meetup groups, please let us know when and where you are scheduled. We LOVE success stories. Please tell us how your events go and how book sales went. We are always looking for authors to feature in Authors’ Edge online magazine and if you have success selling a great deal of books, that’s news we’d like to share to help others!

How to Contact Us With Positive News Stories:
You can write to a marketing coach directly by through this email.

How to Contact AEG’s Production Staff (not a marketing coach):
If you have specific questions about the status of your book in production, please visit: www.aegpublishinggroup.com/clientcare.html

Meetup Q & A

Q: I contacted one of the Meetup group leaders in my area and he said I could post something on their message board. What should I post?

A: Meetup members rarely read the message boards. Ask the group leader if you can attend one of the meetings as a guest to talk about how the topic they are interested in, whether it’s the subject matter of your book, or simply how to write a book, how you self-published, why you became a writer, etc. Find a group whose members are interested in doing something that you have already done. Really make it clear that you want to be a guest to share what you’ve learned. If you get another cold shoulder, move on to a warmer group.

Q: I checked out the local Meetup group listings and none seem to meet a target audience for me.

A: Almost every city’s Meetup.com has writers groups, publishing groups, parents groups, and book clubs. Many have a variety of groups for people who have various interests. Be creative when you look at the list of Meetup groups in your area. Why might members like to have an author like you visit their group?

There of course will be some cases where your town is small and there will not be the appropriate Meetup groups for you. In that instance, you may want to focus more on local libraries, schools, senior centers, retail stores and/or use online marketing avenues. Use the information below to continue your marketing efforts.

You can use this link to search for U.S. public libraries by zip code: http://www.publiclibraries.com/

You can use this link to search for U.S. independent bookstores by zip code. http://www.bookweb.org/aba/members/search.do

For more information, please email us.

Back to Main Menu