Author Meet and Greet Booth

First things first you have to find an event to attend in order to have a Meet and Greet booth.

Have I mentioned I’ve joined The Great American Market vendors at Emporia a few weeks ago?

😁😁😁

So for today’s blog we will dive into the creation of my booth. Things you need to know for the event. As well as, what goes into making an Author Meet and Greet worthy booth.

***Disclaimer, I am not being sponsored by the Emporia Great American Market or by Amazon. I have no affiliation and get no money from promoting anyone’s business or products on this blog.

I am promoting this event because I enjoyed being a vendor and want to spread the word about this event that many could enjoy around the KS area.***

What goes into making a booth?

SOOOO FLIPPIN MUCH. At first, when I sighed up for this booth, I was under the impression that I knew what I was doing. In the past I’ve made a few booths, which made me feel confident–until I realized how much I didn’t have.

Thank-Goodness for Parents and family members with tents, tables, and chairs that I could borrow.

Thank-you Dad, Mom and siblings!

Did I mention Amazon with their prime shipping? My amazon cart was filled up in two days and now my bank account hurts. 😅😅 The bitter-sweet truth of being an one-income author right now.

Here is a simple and straight forward list of must haves:

• A tent
• a table
• your book(s)
• comfy chairs
• table cloths
• decorations
• book signs
• book merch(if you have any)
• business cards
• tent weights
• snacks
• water
• phone chargers
• cash and card
• Car
• Heavy duty collapsible wagon

 

The Booth Theme

Your ideal readers are looking for your booth, how are they going to know what you’re booth is all about without signs, posters ect.

Since my newest Ya book is still in the works, it will not be printed in time for this event. I had to pivot with my booth plans. From selling my books, to an Author Meet and Greet.

Book Launch is out and Author Launch is in!

I have two books, one children’s book and a YA book in the works. My booth needs to show off my children’s book, while prepping people for my newest YA book.

 

How? By meticulous plotting.

Actually it was more like daydreaming, sloppy sketches, and screenshots for layout ideas. Four pieces of papers later, I have a few solid ideas down. A couple days later I had decided on the colors, vibes and décor I wanted for the booth. Punching the purchase button, the Amazon cart was emptied.

My Booth will be all about my two books. I want it to be fun, bright and inviting with a dash of mystery.

 

 

 

Decorations that attract

Amazon, Amazon, what ever did we do without you. Oh yeah we went to a few hundred stores looking for one thing in particular, until we either found it or had to get crafty and make it ourselves.

Thankfully I had the power to browse amazon for a few hours looking up different booth décor options.

Book 1 is a children’s book, full of illustrations, soft colors and blankets. Color scheme is soft baby pinks, blues, teals, yellows, and browns.

Book 2 is a Ya book with mystery, vintage objects and Darker colors. Color scheme is dark browns, black, grey, light and dark greens and sparkly gold.

My booth goal is Author Meet and Greet. It’s time to merge the two themes and create an eye catching booth.

• Green, inviting, warm
• Offsets the children’s books and brown decorations.
• Sunflower vines, throwing in some Kansas flower love
• 1 HUGE custom vinyl sign to catch everyone’s attention

 

Where did I get my cool stuff?

Amazon list:

Bookmark containers: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0828V6WH4?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Business card holders: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07749HCNW?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Text book stand: https://a.co/d/3sxwulo

Poster adjustable stand: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089RNZXLJ?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Tent weights: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XQ6BLLJ?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Chalkboard markers: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QF31BNY?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Small Chalkboards: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07R5VYSS5?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Sunflower decorations: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VQQV6NX?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Green table cloth: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QR1J1RZ?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Custom Items:

Custom Vinyl poster: https://designsignshop.com/

I used this amazing App called “Canva” to create my poster layout. Using their poster/banner templates, I let my creative side take over.

Fonts, colors, picture and elements were easy to use and/or upload.

With Canva’s free download png and pdf option I was able to easily transfer the poster image to Design Sign Shop.

From there they made my poster within 4 days.

Since Design Sign Shop is located in my town of St. Mary’s, I was able to pick it right up from their store.

Design Sign Shop is highly recommended, for their quality, speed and prices! Check them out from the website link above the poster image.

The Trunks and Typewriter:

Both of these antique beauties were purchased from The Owls Nest stores in Topeka, Ks.

Unfortunately they do not have a website but they do have a Facebook page.

The Owls Nest has two stores one on 3411 SW Topeka Blvd and the other on 2901 SE Adams St.

The stores are huge, full of vendors of all types. From antiques such as the two trunks I purchased from them. To stickers, collectors items and seasonal goodies for just about everyone.

 

My suggestion is to check both locations out on a Saturday morning right after they open around 10am. Bring your favorite latte or tea beverage and happy shopping.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Canva is also where I made my cool bookmarks and business cards. But, I will be making an entire blog all about those soon. So stay tuned!

There you have it! How I built my Author Meet and Greet Booth for this years Great American Market 2022.

I hope you took notes and learned a thing or two about building an effective booth for your next event.

If you’ve done a booth for any author event and want to share pictures or cool booth tools and ideas throw that info in the comments or shoot me an email. 🙂

 

***Disclaimer, I am not being sponsored by the Emporia Great American Market or by Amazon. I have no affiliation and get no money from promoting anyone’s business or products on this blog.

I am promoting this event because I enjoyed being a vendor and want to spread the word about this event that many could enjoy around the KS area.***

Full time Author ~ Here I come.

Thank you for reading until the end. As a new blogger any and all support is appreciated and welcome.

Write on~

Cecilia