How to Use Skype to Sell Books

I'm delighted to welcome author Barbara Techel to share her experience in promoting books by doing remote author appearances through the online video phone service, Skype.  These tips are excerpted from Barbara's new book, Class Act: Sell More Books to Schools and Libraries Through Author Appearances.

When I discovered Skype as an avenue to share my books message with children without leaving the comfort of my writing studio, I was thrilled.

Many authors, as well as publishers, have limited budgets for travel. Exploring and being open to the opportunity of Skype will help you reach out to many audiences you may not have been able to before. School and library budgets are not what they used to be also. Skype is a wonderful solution affording them the option to still introducing students to authors.

Not only is Skype a win-win for schools, libraries and authors, it is an added educational benefit for students. By involving the kids in the set-up of Skype, teaching them to interact properly with the webcam, and other equipment you are adding value to their future technology skills.

The technology future is now. Embracing and learning all you can about Skype to help you spread your message will in turn help you sell more books.

When setting up for a Skype presentation I take all the steps I would just as if I was presenting in person. It really is no different. You are in essence “on stage” whether via Skype or in person, so being prepared and organized is key.

You will want to have your laptop and webcam set up in front of you. Your background should be a darker screen or curtain. Blue, grey or purple colors work well. If your background is a window and you live on a busy street, you don’t want the cars driving by behind you distracting your audience. I have a bluish-gray curtain that I pull closed when I do a Skype call.

Next you need a light directly shining on you. This will help your audience see you well. Using a small task light will do the trick. I bought mine for $5.00. If you are person that does not wear much make-up or like me, wears minimal since I work from home, you will want to wear more the day of your Skype visit. This helps illuminate your features. You may also want to do a test call with a friend to make sure you are coming across well.

In regards to working with classrooms I find 30 or fewer students are optimal. This allows me to see most of the students during the call. With a little assistance from the teacher, I am then able to “call” on a child when they raise their hand with a question or know the answer to a question I am asking. This makes the call very interactive. For larger school assemblies I ask the teacher ahead of time to assign 10-15 students to prepare questions. At the end of my presentation those assigned students approach the webcam one by one.

Just like when you are in person doing an author appearance, being prepared and delivering an effective message to your audience via Skype is just as important. Not only will it likely increase your chances of selling more books, but you will also be leaving a positive impact on your audience. After all, selling books and leaving your audience a bit better than before is what it is all about, right?

Use this free checklist to help you organize and plan your Skype author visit.

About the Author

Barbara Techel is the award-winning author of the Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog book series. She has shared her story of hope and inspiration about her dachshund, Frankie, who is in a wheelchair, with thousands of children and adults since 2007. To date they have made over 300 appearances in Wisconsin and many more via Skype to classrooms across the U.S. and Canada.

Since before her first book was published, Barbara has worked tirelessly to promote her books and the positive message they embody. She has garnered coverage for her story from local, regional and national media through these efforts, and continues to develop and refine her marketing message and approach. She recently released Class Act: Sell More Books to Schools and Libraries Through Author Appearances to help other authors achieve the same success as she has.

Comments

[Susan Winlaw]

What a fantastic article Barbara. Thanks so much for pointing us to it Dana. I just tweeted about it and will share on facebook shortly.

I really appreciate the tips you gave us Barbara. I am in the Writers and Editors Network in Toronto and I'll be sharing this link with all of the people there at our September meeting and in our newsletter. I've already shared your link to them Dana last year.

I've used Skype in the past for voice, but I guess I totally missed that they were doing video now. Do you walk the teacher through the process of registering for the Skype video conferencing before you have the event ? or do you find they are already set up with this technology in many schools ? I would not be doing schools as our books are movie review guide books by theme, but some of our authors in WEN do children's books and it would be perfect for them.

Live and Love in JOY and watch only GREAT movies......S>

[Dana Lynn Smith]

Thanks so much Susan!

[Barbara Techel]

Susan, I'm so happy to hear your liked the article.

To answer your question, I have found that most schools know how to set up the technology for Skype. It was not that way three years ago, but things are changing. Many schools are really starting to get on board with Skype. I think in part because so many budgets have been cut, this is a way they can still can connect with authors, etc.

I've seen in increase in schools embracing this technology just this past year. In fact at the end of the school year this spring, I had 8 requests for a Skype visit within a 2-week time frame.

A great resource in my book, Class Act that I will share here for your children's book authors is www.skypeanauthor.wetpaint.com Have them sign up asap with a profile page. This network was started by a school librarian in NY and author, Mona Kerby to connect schools with authors. I get many leads and bookings from this website for Skype visits.

Thanks again for sharing my article with your network. I appreciate it!

[Karen Cioffi]

Wow useful information. I'd love to get involved with Skype for school visits. I'll have to see if schools in my area have the technology. Thanks for sharing. I tweeted, FB'd it, and Google Plused it! And, I'll be linking to this post in my newsletter.

[Dana Lynn Smith]

Karen, I'm so glad you enjoyed the article, and thanks for sharing it! Skype is a great tool for reaching schools (and book clubs) far away from home.
Dana