Virtual Author Meet and Greet: Make It Unforgettable

The Festival of Storytellers (TFOS) Chapter 06 will start in a few moments. Finalize your book launch ideas because it’s time for a virtual author meet and greet very soon! This article will give you suggestions on how to make it memorable.

But first, let’s talk about why it’s important.

Unlike the traditional in-person meet and greet, going online offers an innovative way for authors and readers to connect. Even when they’re hours apart in their respective time zones, seven seas apart, or in their comfort places, online author meet-and-greet formats provide room for author-reader connections that transcend these barriers. This is how TFOS works—to bring readers closer to the stories they love and get a personal glimpse into the mind of the very author who wrote the book that resonated with them.      

Virtual author meet and greet expands the authors’ market reach from local to international. For any virtual book club event to be not just successful but also memorable, you need a blend of creativity, meticulous planning, and audience-centric interaction.

Planning a Virtual Author Meet and Greet

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”

Benjamin Franklin

Meticulous planning is key to a successful virtual author meet and greet. To set the stage for a memorable experience, you must:

Choose the right platform

Your choice of platform must align with what your event wants to achieve and the needs of your audience. All platforms offer unique features that can fit a specific purpose. There’s one platform that can offer breakout rooms for intimate interactions, the other is perfect for live-streaming across multiple social media platforms. Other options offer user-friendly features you can integrate into professional settings. When looking for your platform of choice, it’s best to consider the following features:

• Screen Sharing
• Chat Moderation
• Recording Options

Create an Engaging Theme

To make a really interesting virtual author meet and greet, tie the event format to your book or genre. Let’s say you’ve written a thriller or mystery novel; a “whodunit” virtual exercise would be so exciting. During the book reading session, highlight the clues embedded in your story and ask the readers for their theories. For heightened intrigue, share exclusive hints or reveal backstory elements.

Engaging Activities for Maximum Impact

You know that your virtual meet and greet is successful when attendees are entertained and engaged throughout the event. What can you do to create a truly immersive and unforgettable online author event? 

Reading Excerpts

When choosing a passage from your book, it’s best to consider how it showcases the uniqueness of your voice, builds suspense, or highlights a key character moment in order to draw your audience deeper into your story. To ensure smooth delivery, practice beforehand so that you can effectively polish your tone, pace, and volume.  Want to spice it up a little? Try adding background music or sound effects! Since you’re reading excerpts aloud, treat it as though you’re offering a free audiobook teaser to your audience. Use auditory cues to enhance the mood of the passage.

Don’t Forget: Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Stories

Readers like me are sometimes more intrigued about how the author wrote a particular sentence or an entire page. While the readers are already hooked by your story, some of them may also want to know your feelings, what you’re doing, or your entire situation while writing a particular passage. Make a revelation on how a real-life experience influenced your plot—this is how you get closer to your audience.   

Don’t Miss Out!

This year’s The Festival of Storytellers is a virtual book festival that runs for two weeks, from January 20 to February 2. Hurry, you have the entire two weeks to join the roster!