Trade Show Exhibit Display Booths

i need networking advice for a trade show...?

i am a self-published writer going to a book expo, looking for distribution and/or a larger publisher. i will have a booth there, if a distributor approaches, should i say "im looking for distribution" etc. or does that sound too needy? should i wait for them to bring it up? how forward should i be? any advice on good salesman skills are greatly appreciated

Public Comments

1. You really need to get an agent.
2. I'm not sure how much BEA is focused on getting new distribution deals with self published writers. Most of the big publishers are their showcasing their new product. BEA has very much turned into a sales and marketing showcase, meaning that the editorial/publishing side (ie, the side of the publishing houses that make the decisions as to what gets printed) are not even going anymore. That said, it's worth a shot. And if you're going to give it that shot (and it sounds like you may have already bought your booth?), you better be as up front as possible. Do not wait for them to bring it up. It's a crazy scene and they don't have the time to mess around. I've seen folks at BEA do shameless self promotion and guess what- it's the only thing that will get you noticed. But will it get you published? probably not by a big gun. I would HIGHLY suggest that you try to make contat beforehand; that is, schedule meetings with pub representatives before the circuse that is BEA.... and I'm assuming that BEA is the expo you're referring to?