Don’t Tell, Sell: The importance of booktalking

Patrick JonesConnecting Young Adults and Libraries

Don't Tell, Sell

FAQ’S1. What is booktalking? 2. Who is the audience? 3. What are the top ten

justifications for booktalking?

4. What are the models? 5. 4. What are the rules?

Don't Tell, Sell

FAQ’S1. What is

booktalking?

What it is andWhat it is not

Don't Tell, Sell

FAQ’S2. Who is the

audience?

Teens Teachers Tepid managers

What are the top ten justifications for booktalking?

1. Booktalking increases circulation.

2. Booktalking promotes the library as a place for recreational use to YAs.

3. Booktalking allows the LST to work with teachers

4. Booktalking is an efficient method to promote collections,

5. Booktalking provides LSTs with the opportunity to use their creative talents

What are the top ten justifications for booktalking?

6. Booktalking increases customer service credibility

7. Booktalking’s primary audience is the non-users.

8. Booktalking presents the library has an active force promoting reading

9. Booktalking increases the audience's awareness of the library.

10. Booktalking build relationships.

Booktalk writing tips

1. Keep it simple: short declarative sentences mostly.

2. Follow a narrative: go from point to point without detours.

3. Keep to a few characters: 4. Repeat things: 5. Watch words: 6. Read sparingly: 7. Watch time: 8. Watch your watch:

Young adults like fiction that:

1. Show YAs being independent from adults.

2. Reassure YAs they are "normal". 3. Present role models. 4. Demonstrate problem solving in

action. 5. Allow to feel like

winners/overcoming odds. 6. Display relationships of all sorts. 7. Capture intensity and uncertainty of

their life. 8. Help develop of socially responsible

behavior 9. Explore lives of other teenagers.:

Young adults like fiction that:

1. Show YAs being independent from adults.

2. Reassure YAs they are "normal". 3. Present role models. 4. Demonstrate problem solving in

action. 5. Allow to feel like

winners/overcoming odds. 6. Display relationships of all sorts. 7. Capture intensity and uncertainty of

their life. 8. Help develop of socially responsible

behavior 9. Explore lives of other teenagers.:

Don't Tell, Sell

FAQ’S4. What are the

models? Blurbs Music Trailers WWE Comics Stories

Don't Tell, Sell

FAQ’STypes Mood Plot Scene Character

Don't Tell, Sell

FAQ’S5. What are the rules? Do’s Don’ts

Old School rules for the 21st Century

DON'T:1. Booktalk books you have not read2. Booktalk books you did not like/would not

recommend3. Gush4. Give away the ending/the secret/the surprise5. Give a book review6. Label by gender/race/other7. Oversell8. Read unless you hafta9. Talk about sex/drugs/violence without clearing

it with teacher10. Booktalk books you don't have in multiple

copies

Old School rules for the 21st Century

DO:

1. Bring books with you/check them out

2. Memorize talks/have cheat sheets

3. Vary the themes/types of talks

4. Keep good records of visits

5. Be prepared to ad-lib and interact

6. Vary length of talks

7. Let the books do the work

8. Be organized, cool and confident

10. Relax and enjoy

Old School rules for the 21st Century

3 Golden rules Remember the

audience’s wants Remember the

audience’s needs Be dramatic, not

theatrical

Old School rules for the 21st Century

NEVER EVER: Say 'read this and find out"

Don't Tell, Sell

Improving1. Learning the

hooks

2. Learning the books3. Learning the

elements of success

HOOKS FOR BOOKS

Audience participation

Bring books to show

Cliffhanger

Diary format

Empathy

HOOKS FOR BOOKS

First sentence / first paragraph

Gross out

Headlines

Interactive

Jump cut

HOOKS FOR BOOKS

Know a secret

Link

Mystery

Next line

O. Henry

HOOKS FOR BOOKS

Props

Questions

Repetition

Sound effects

Themes

HOOKS FOR BOOKS

Unexpected

Victim/draw heat

What if?

Xerox:

You directed

HOOKS FOR BOOKS

Zonk

The elements of success1.Know the crowd, not too

proud/too loud.

2.Speak to feelings, not lofty ceilings.

3.Don't just speak out; seek out.

4. If you want a reaction, create an action.

5.Use your style, not cards from a file.

The elements of success

Think stage, not printed page.

Be yourself, lose yourself. No matter what you try,

answer the questions "why" Find the hook, push the

book. Don't tell, sell.

PREPARING PRESENTATIONS

Always prepare more than you need:

Consider a.v.: End with a bang: Give something

away Make a list

PREPARING PRESENTATIONS

Relate inside information: / relate personal experiences:

Talk with the teacher first:

Use your captive audience:

Bring your calendar:

HardcoverISBN: 0-8027-8901-3Price: $16.95224 pagesApril 2004

PaperbackISBN: 0-8027-7746-5ISBN 13: 978-0-8027-7746-1Price: $7.95224 pagesApril 2006

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ISBN: 0-8027-9628-1ISBN 13: 978-0-8027-9628-8

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August 2007

Connecting Young Adults and LibrariesConnecting Young Adults and LibrariesPatrick JonesPatrick Jones

http://www.connectingya.comhttp://www.connectingya.com

Consulting, training, and coaching for providing powerful youth services including library card campaigns and web projects

patrick@connectingYA.com