Should You Pay to Participate at a Book Trade Show?

In a word … the answer is NO. That is, if you don’t want to kiss off your money to have your displayed in an endless multiple level rack of books. Granted they are faced out. But, and it’s a BIG BUT. 

Not a week goes by that my email box doesn’t have at least three queries from readers asking my opinion about participating in the latest email they have received to have their book “showcased” in their trade show that will have thousands of books lovers, suppliers, agents, etc.

My answer is the same: Don’t do it.

The only exception would be if you have a major distributor that invites you to their booth (it distributes your books)—possibly do a book signing (some offer spots for another fee)—meaning books are free to those who stop by, then it’s a maybe. Whose paying for the freebies? Most likely you, or if you have a publisher, it usually does. There is still the cost of getting there, One that 99% of the time, you pay.

Here’s why:

1. Your ego may be talking. Is it? Are you being seduced by the idea of having your book on display at the London or Frankfurt Book Fairs where mega thousands attend?  How about at one of the “Cons”- ComicCon or a FloridaSuperCon—there’s lots out there. Now saying your book was represented at one of those huge events may make you feel good, maybe important … 

2. Money. Outside of the participation fee to display your title—usually ranging from $175 to $375—you and your book have dismal chances of trade show registrants noticing it. WHY? In these display booths that contain hundreds of books, aisle walkers move fast by the “displays.” Rarely do they stop to see what’s on the shelves. Now, if you are physically there and have created a way to engage those fast walkers, you might have a chance to interact with a book buyer. Hmmm, that means money now for you to be a paid registrant to get in PLUS, you may have travel related expenses.

3. You gotta be there-in person. If you are an indie author or self-published author, you are invisible to the massive traditional publishers and rights representers who would only be interested in your title if it had sold zillions of copies—most authors can’t claim that, including those repped by traditional publishers. If you have a snappy cover and good SHORT pitch line, you might lure a buyer in. But you gotta be there in person to do that. Think time and money needed.

Be author smart. Avoid paying to have your book promoted at trade show Most are quality events, just a wrong fit for your book marketing dollars.

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Dr. Judith Briles started writing notes to her classmates in first grade … and got into “disruptive trouble” from her teachers. She’s now the author of 47 books and counting, still being a disrupter. Her books have won over 55 book awards and been Amazon bestsellers. You can follow her professional side at www.TheBookShepherd.com where she works with writers to become published authors. Listen in to her weekly podcast: AuthorU: Your Guide to Book Publishing at https://bit.ly/AuthorUPodcast

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