Author Speaking Engagements: 6 Steps to Grow Book Sales

Finding and booking speaking engagements can feel a bit intimidating—kind of like hoping someone will pick you first in gym class, especially if you’re an author who’d rather hide behind a typewriter (or laptop). Trust me, you’re definitely not alone.

The good news is, getting booked and rocking your talk isn’t nearly as tough as it seems. By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly how to connect with event organizers, nail your presentation, sell tons of books—and make an unforgettable impression every time you walk off stage.

Ready? Here’s a sneak peek at what you’re about to learn, step by stress-free step.

Step 1: Find and Book Author Speaking Engagements

Getting yourself booked as a speaker can seem intimidating at first, but trust me, it’s easier than you think if you start with a clear game plan.

First, make a short list of local bookstores, libraries, writers associations, and events related to your book genre. Contact event organizers, introduce yourself in a friendly, casual way, and pitch a talk they’ll actually care about. Instead of asking if they need a speaker, suggest a concrete, appealing topic relevant to their audience.

Next, tap into your existing network—ask other authors about their recent gigs and how you can get invited to similar ones. Being proactive like this really helps.

A great resource is checking relevant Facebook groups and following hashtags on platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to stay updated on calls for speakers. Since over 78% of authors regularly use social media for outreach, it’s a proven route to finding speaking opportunities.

Don’t stop at local—reach out to regional literary festivals or colleges that host workshops or panels. A friend recently landed a great speaking spot at a small-town literary festival and sold almost 100 books there, so don’t underestimate smaller venues.

Finally, keep track of contacts, conversations, and upcoming gigs in an organized spreadsheet so you can follow up easily. Consistency is key—don’t let opportunities slip away because you forgot to reply.

Step 2: Prepare an Effective Speaker Kit for Organizers

A speaker kit (sometimes called a media kit) makes event organizers’ lives easier by giving them all your info in one convenient place. If you want them to invite you back, making their job stress-free should be your goal.

Your speaker kit should definitely include:

• A simple, friendly author bio written in third-person. Feel free to look at these author bio examples if you need a reference.
• High-quality headshots: Provide a couple of different poses or moods—serious and casual—to give organizers options.
• A list of your book titles with links to reviews or Amazon pages (this helps demonstrate your relevance and popularity).
• A short list of suggested speaking topics with engaging titles (something clickable that attendees will actually want to hear).
• Your previous speaking appearances list—especially notable or relevant ones—to build credibility.
• Your hardware and setup needs (projector, microphone, seating preferences).
• Your contact information clearly visible and easy to find.

Put it all together into a polished document (PDF is usually best) or create an easy-to-navigate speaker page on your author website for easy downloading. I recommend checking out some of the best author website builders if you don’t already have one.

A small tip: Always customize your speaker kit slightly depending on the venue you’re pitching—event organizers appreciate the personalization and effort.

Step 3: Create Your Presentation to Engage the Audience

Your talk is your moment to shine, so it pays to think carefully about your presentation style and content—especially if book sales are on the line. Around 1% growth in book sales last year came directly from authors’ audience engagement strategies, so a great talk matters!

Always tailor your content to your event’s audience. Don’t re-use slides from a big library event at a small intimate bookstore—people can tell instantly when content is generic.

When structuring your talk, begin with a strong hook or personal story related to your book that instantly grabs curiosity and attention. Stories make you relatable and memorable—plus, people love getting behind-the-scenes insight into authors’ creative processes.

Next, structure the main content into clear sections or bullet points, avoiding wordy slides. Remember, the slideshow is there to enhance—not repeat—your words.

Mentioning a specific writing-related resource during your talk—like these helpful winter writing prompts—can also add value and leave your audience eager for more.

Throw in humor when natural, encourage interaction through Q&A sessions, and end your presentation with a concise summary and clear call-to-action—invite attendees over to the sales table, ask them to follow you on social media, or subscribe to your newsletter.

Most importantly, practice beforehand. Rehearsing out loud (and recording yourself, if possible) helps weed out awkward phrasing and increases confidence. The more confident you feel, the more you’ll enjoy yourself—which often translates directly into book sales.

Step 4: Sell More Books at Your Speaking Event

Selling more books during your speaking engagements doesn’t have to feel weird or salesy—make it a natural part of your talk, and you’ll get much better results.

First of all, have a dedicated sales table that’s easy to spot, visually appealing, and professionally laid out with stacks of your books, attractive signage, and clear information on pricing and payment options.

Use a mobile payment setup like Square or PayPal, because not everyone carries cash these days (trust me, I’ve had people walk away simply because there wasn’t a credit card option available).

Offer special event-only perks, such as signing copies right there, providing personalized notes, or giving a special discount for attendees who purchase multiple books or bundle items together.

Briefly pitch the book once or twice during your talk, connecting something you’ve just shared to the exact chapter where readers can find more detail—even better, make it a “teaser” that genuinely sparks interest.

One clever way to showcase your book and draw people in is to share a relatable excerpt, short quote, or even mention how writing prompts, such as these realistic fiction prompts, inspired certain scenes.

Consider offering tangible extras, such as bookmarks, postcards featuring a relevant book cover quote, or even something fun for younger audiences if you’re promoting a children’s book.

Remember to be approachable right after your talk, answer questions enthusiastically, and encourage engagement around your sales table—often, personal interaction pushes hesitant attendees to finally buy a copy.

Step 5: Follow Up After Your Speaking Engagement to Maximize Impact

You might be tempted to think that once your talk is over, you’re done—but you aren’t. Following up afterward is super important if you want your speaking gigs to pay off long-term.

Always send a friendly note thanking the organizer for the opportunity (they’ll remember the authors who show appreciation, believe me).

Ask for feedback—this may feel uncomfortable, but learning what went well and what there’s room to improve helps you level up future talks.

If you’ve collected email addresses at your event (and you should!) send attendees a brief follow-up email with valuable resources that connect to your talk, like helpful tips from an article like how to get a book published without an agent.

You might also include a recap of the key points from your talk, a link where readers can purchase your book online (just in case they missed buying it at the event), and encourage people to connect with you on social media.

Engage publicly too—post a thank-you message on social media after your event, tag organizers, upload some highlights or photos from the event, and engage with anyone who comments.

This step helps you expand your network, solidifies new relationships, and increases the chances organizers or audience members recommend you for similar opportunities in the future.

Step 6: Use the Right Tools and Tech for Smooth Speaking Events

Good technology can make or break your presentation—so investing in a smooth setup is totally worth a little extra effort and planning.

Always check with organizers on available equipment so you know whether you need to bring anything yourself—like projectors, personal microphones, or adapters.

If you’ll use your own laptop, ensure presentations are prepared in common file formats to avoid compatibility issues (PDFs or a cloud-shared Google Slides deck usually save the day).

Get comfortable with useful tools like wireless slide advancers, portable microphones, and mobile hotspot devices in case the Wi-Fi decides to ditch you last-minute (it’s happened to the best of us).

If you’re selling books at events, as I mentioned earlier, using mobile payment solutions like Square or PayPal can make purchases smoother and increase your sales.

Another useful hint—back up everything. Have at least one backup copy of your presentation on a thumb drive or accessible cloud storage.

Finally, have a simple checklist of all your needed tech and presentation items to double-check before leaving for your event—nothing sinks your confidence faster than arriving unprepared, so trust me, this step is worth it.

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