Author Promotions: Selling Books on Street Corners

by John Kremer on Saturday, April 23rd, 2011 | 1 Comment

20% off during May 2012

Question:

What do you thing about selling books at street corners?

John’s Answer:

I think selling books on street corners and other public venues can be an effective way to sell books – if you enjoy interacting with your readers. Here are a few stories to inspire you:

Sell Books on a Street Corner

From Michael Murphy, author of Powerful Attitudes:

I thought you might find this humorous and/or intriguing. I self-published a book in August called Powerful Attitudes. I’ve got some heavy-duty guys who have promised to promote me. However, these aren’t going to come about until after the first of the year.

So, in the meantime, I’ve been standing on the street in Dallas, Texas (60 miles from my home) and selling my book. I sold 55 one day last week. Today, Sunday, I sold 123 books. Not a bad day for a guy standing on the street corner.

In addition, a local news network affiliate called me and asked me when I was going to be out there again. They apparently want to do a story on me.

I had two signs (20″ x 24″) made up. I attached them to a 6 ft. long stick with Velcro (so I could get them in my car). One is the cover of my book and the other says, Buy My Book, Only $15.

I even had two ladies go to the local convenience store and buy a disposable camera. They came back and wanted their picture made with me. It was hilarious!

Sell Books on the Subway

The following story is excerpted from Fred Gleeck’s ezine, Fred Gleeck Insights. Fred is a great marketer (http://www.fredgleeck.com). He tells a wonderful story here:

I love New York! One of the days when I was running around like a chicken with its head cut off on the subway I saw this guy hawking something further down the subway car. In my typical NYer style I averted my gaze, hoping not to be accosted to give him money.

Lucky I couldn’t do it. I squinted out of the side of one eye to see what he was selling. In his hands he had a fairly large load of paperback BOOKS. His books, it turns out.

I watched him graciously take a $10 bill from a lady a few seats away from me. I tried to see what the title of the book was with no success. So, I stopped him and asked him what was up.

He told me that for the last 3 years he had been riding the subway every day selling his book. He reported to me (and I have no reason NOT to believe him) that he had sold a tad over 48,000 books. That is not a misprint. He has sold a LOT of books through this ONE channel of distribution.…

Let me do the math for you on this one. He was selling his book for $10 – CASH! I’m sure that he is diligently recording every dollar he makes.… The book was about 120 pages. If he prints 3,000 at a time he probably gets them for around $2. So he’s making $8 on every book.

Since he sells about 15,000 copies a year, that comes out to $120,000 net. Not bad. Given he’s on the train so much I’m sure he has an unlimited travel card which costs him about $40 a week or so.

When people tell me they can’t sell books, I’ll be referring them to this individual. His story was about his experiences as a gang member and I don’t even remember his name because he promised to email me. Hopefully you’ll be hearing more from Mr. X!

Exposure of this kind breeds additional benefits. He told me that he’s been asked to speak at a dozen different universities from Pennsylvania to Europe.

The poet and novelist’s name is Derrick Wilson, aka BLUE (poet) and Brad Bathgate (novelist). You can read more about him at www.poetryisalive.com.

Sell Books from the Trunk of Your Car

While on vacation, Brenda Nixon, author of Parenting Power in the Early Years, always carries a stock of books in the trunk of her car. She always finds time to sell some books while touring the country. Below is an example of how she sells her book while on vacation:

Once, on vacation, my husband and I stopped at a small town pharmacy for refreshment. We were browsing the store when I noticed several books by author friends of mine. The idea popped into my head that this pharmacy and community might want my book as well.

I talked with the clerk whose husband happened to be the owner. She said there were many young families in town. She went online to read about Parenting Power in the Early Years and decided to order. Because of the stash in my car, I was able to fulfill her order plus autograph the copies on the spot.

I hope these stories inspire you.

John Kremer