Helpful Hints for Arranging a Book Signing Review and become familiar with the ‘Media Talking Points’ found in this section so that you are well armed before approaching a store manager. Remember, we have a ‘fantastic’ story to promote. With a spark or two of enthusiasm thrown in on our part, bookstore managers, camera store managers and gallery owners sense this is a really good project that has had a very positive outcome. Two very important points to remember when you approach a store manager: a) Because of its scope (meaning the number of photographers who took part in the project), the Millennium Photo Project represents the largest single episode in photojournalism. b) The book itself is the only bound documentary of this important historic global event. When you offer to do a book signing, you are helping to attract customers to the store, regardless of what kind of store it is. However, to make the most of the book signing, please complete whatever follow-up is asked of you (or that you think would be beneficial for a successful signing event). There are two aspects here. Things you can do at the event itself, and things you can do to get people to come to the event in the first place. For example, you may want to have your photo enlarged to a 20x30" poster and then present it to the manager. He/she can then dry mount your photo and display it, leading up to the book signing. In other words, this gesture makes the promotion process that much easier for the store manager. Of course, you can ask for your poster back after the book signing is over. Some other ideas… a) ask the store manager if you can bring one of the subjects in your photo with you to the book signing; b) supply postcards the day of the book signing. This is an especially good idea if the store runs out of books the day you are there. c) offer to make a brief, ten minute presentation on the book (using the Media Talking Points) and your own experience as a photographer. If you do this, let the audience know why you first became involved in the project, what being involved in it has meant to you and where you were when you took your photographs. d) Ask the store manager if you can sign and sell framed copies of your photo the day of the book signing (and you keep or share the profit). Assist the store owner or manager in placing the order for the books. Don't underestimate this part! If you live in the US, recommend the manager place the order through Baker and Taylor (www.btol.com). Outside of the US, direct the retailer to Art Books International in London or Mother Pickle in Canada. All these details are on the information for bookstores page on the main pages of the site. Order book posters through the on-line ordering system and ask to have them displayed in camera stores and galleries. Bookstore managers may not be quite as enthusiastic about displaying our poster because of the reference to www.millenniumphoto.com on it, so cover that part up with a sticker saying "Bookstore signing!" or something similar. All other businesses, however, should welcome the poster. You could even try placing the poster on a bulletin board in a laundromat or a similar place where people have time on their hands and will spend time reading the poster. We have provided a tearoff portion at the bottom of the poster where you can put details such as the date and time of the book signing event. Some photographers are using them in other ways such as 'Books available for sale here' or 'Local project photographer available for weddings etc!'. After you secure a date for a book signing, remember to let the local press know about your role in the Millennium Photo Project. Many papers will happily run listings in their events section while others may choose to do a feature on you and the signing event. Local papers are anxious to report on celebrities, and you are now a ‘celebrity’ by virtue of your role in the project. It is vital you promote the bookstore event as much as you can so that you get a good crowd. If you do an interview with the media, remember to discuss a) largest event in photojournalism and b) book represents only bound documentary, etc. You can also weave in when and where the book signing will be. This helps the store manager and continues to build a good relationship between you, the photographer, and the store. For your reference, there is an external link on ‘Tools and Resources’ to www.newpages.com. This site supplies a good list of independent bookstores in the US and Canada. Please let us know if you find any other sites for other countries. Above all else, have fun! Let us know when you have a book signing scheduled, and we will place the event on the Project Calendar.