Before I went on vacation, I attended Black Writers Weekend (BWW). The event itself was okay, but what made it worthwhile for me was my conversations with the vendors. We talked about so much more than books; the historical conversations were like a glass of cold water on a hot day. I love basking in the brilliance of people.
But not all conversations were positive.
I noticed many first-time vendors were not happy. Considering the cost and the traveling many did to get to Atlanta, they expected a much bigger turnout, and many people left feeling some kind of way.
I didn’t have to travel far or stay at a hotel, but I understood their frustrations and empathized with the lack of focus on the marketplace. Some people who opted to have books shipped found their books didn’t arrive on time!
But this is not about what BWW did right or wrong.
This is about what authors should expect from vending at events; unfortunately, making a profit is not one of them.
Depending on what an author pays for a table, the cost of books, travel, and board, the chances of making that money back are slim.
Can you make good sales from vending? Certainly, but vending is more about networking than it is about sales. Vending at large events also does not mean large sales.
Authors choosing to pay for vending should consider the cost of the table, any books or merch they’d need to purchase, travel, and board.
- Will you have to book a flight or drive?
- Will you be staying at a hotel?
- How many books do you need to purchase in advance?
- How much is this going to cost with the vending fee?
- What is included in the fee? Do you get a table and chairs or will you have to bring your own? (Yes, some event hosts require you to bring your own table. I don’t vend at those events.)
While self-publishing my books since 2010, I was not always a full-time author. My background is in Medical Assistance and teaching. When I decided to go full force into this author thing (2017), I did a lot of vending and events. It was a lot of fun, but I rarely vend anymore because a) it is not always financially feasible, and b) I am at the point now where I prefer to get paid to speak or capture content.
When I vend, it is because the event has an element that aligns with my brand or belief system and will allow me to build my network. When I published Black History Facts You Didn’t Learn in School, I knew I would attend Black Writers Weekend because the crowd is full of people interested in my type of content.
Vending at events of any size can benefit authors at any stage of the process. I would primarily recommend vending to new authors and authors who want to get their names out there and connect with other writers and literary professionals.
For authors looking to sell books, I recommend vending at smaller events that align with your brand and that focus on books, such as book festivals. As I joked about before, it’s much more challenging to sell someone a book standing next to the Shea Butter lady. Definitely do not overlook smaller gatherings. They tend to have a better vibe than the popular ones.
For seasoned authors or those ready to advance, I recommend hosting your own book signings, events, and workshops or requesting to be a guest speaker at an event instead of vending.
This is where my focus is geared now.
The PBS Blog 