Professional Look for Authors

Do you set up at art shows, Holiday bazaars and other public functions? This is where the professional look is very important. You probably consider how you will dress to be comfortable and attractive, but you must also consider how your books are presented. Your winning smile won’t always detract from a folding table with a haphazard stack of books. Cover that table with an attractive cloth (a bedspread or table cloth will do).
Add a neat arrangement of your books and have your flyers and handouts in enough abundance that people won’t hesitate to take one.

Other suggestions:  

• Have a large poster done of your book cover. Put that on an easel near your table. If you have several titles, do a collage of them for your poster. 
• Set out a bowl of wrapped candies (don't let children have any without approval from their folks!)
• Develop a prop that represents your book 
• Add a bouquet of flowers or Mylar balloons to get people’s attention 
•  Have a professional signboard behind your site or at the table edge with your name and online contact information
• Set extra chairs nearby to encourage people to sit and talk with you—having bodies near your site draws the attention of others. 
• Design and wear a name tag that identifies you as the author; I have many times had people look at my books, and when they read my name tag say, "You wrote these?" 

Finally, stay on your feet. If you’re sitting when someone approaches, stand up to greet them—let the prospective customer know you’re interested in them.