Follow these 6 steps to ace your next Kid Lit author school visit

Part 1 of a two-part School Visit Series
​
Even with two decades behind chalkboards and podiums, I was nervous thinking about visiting elementary schools as a children’s book author.  But after meeting nearly 600 children in grades K-4 in two states and in three days, my confidence is restored.   

In this first of two posts about Kid Lit authors in the classroom, I share six steps to help you ace your visits.  Next week, my writing and teaching friends stop by to offer top tips for moving your school event to the head of the class.

This is an update to an original post 2014 September on authors in schools.

---

1.  FIND ‘EM
Network
It’s easier to do classroom visits if you have kids attending elementary or pre-school; more more challenging to get your foot in the door if you don’t.  And shy authors, take heart: it takes just one successful visit experience to spread the word about you to other schools and teachers. 
 
Personal connections open doors.  Ask everyone (family, friends, neighbors, work colleagues, clubs, church/synagogue, etc.) to share  school contacts, and get consent to use their name for introductions.  
 
If you can’t find contacts, do an Internet search to identify media specialists in a target school.  Media specialist is a term often used today for librarian, and you know how librarians love to promote literacy.

Shake your network to uncover school contacts

​Brainstorm
Outline a 15-30 minute program of age-appropriate presentations and interactive activities you could offer.  Build on your strengths as a writer or artist, and always be mindful of the development needs of your young audience. (After you make contact, teachers and librarians are eager to help you customize your presentation to align with their Common Core goals.)
 
Connect
E-mail e-mail query letters to your leads, referencing mutual contact.  Suggest visit scenarios from your program outline and include links to book previews and author sites on social media that showcase your accomplishments and professional background.  

Keep track of who you contact.  It's easy to forget.

To fee or not to fee
The debate continues: place monetary value on authors’ time OR offer cost-free programs to budget-strapped schools to  promote literacy.  

I don’t charge for my visits.  

Instead, I ask teachers and staff to follow me on social media and/or subscribe to my newsletter. 

Many Kid Lit authors realize a fine income by selling book on site during their visit. Check school policy about this practice, but whatever you do, make it easy for teachers and parents.

2.  BEFORE THE VISIT
Confirm expectations
Save angst by ensuring everyone understands who’s doing what, when and where before you step in the classroom.

• Send a pre-visit contract or letter to confirm details (especially if you charge a fee) and flesh out your presentation proposal
  • Ask teachers/librarians for feedback to customize your visit
  • Clarify school policies:
    • Visitor check in (At one school, I couldn't figure out how to buzz in using its sophisticated door lock technology!)
    • Photography
    • On-site book sales
    • Giveaways
  • Confirm student ages and numbers:
    ​Small classroom talk or assembly-sized presentations?  Wiggly little ones or older kids with longer attention spans?
• Offer a free copy of your book and ask teachers, librarians read the it aloud before your visit.  Older students can brainstorm a list of questions for your Q&A.
• Many authors have a dedicated webpage with visit information.  You’ve got one, too, right?  Here's my author visit page.

Kids love color sheets, book marks, character cards

​Bling
Prepare plenty of fun, colorful freebies for each child, like bookmarks, rack cards or coloring pages.

Add your contact information on this material so parents and staff can find you once the day is done.  If it’s okay with school policy, I also draw names to give one a child in each grade a signed copy of my book.

---

3.  DURING THE VISIT

• Arrive early
  Have written directions AND GPS coordinates (because you will be nervous, stuck in traffic and/or lose bars), and check in at the front office.  Most schools have you sign in, wear a badge, and assign someone to show you around.
• Have extra copies of everything
  Bring EVERYTHING… books, business cards, pencils, bling, etc.  I triple back-up my pressie on a portable USB drive and cloud folder, plus I print 8x10 copies of my presentation in case of a tech glitch. I also keep a materials list of materials because travel trauma and adrenalin kick in, and I lose track of things.
• Check the Tech
  Whether you use yours or the school's equipment, be sure those gadgets work. I always run a tech check and request an on-site tech person to help me. 
• Seek the Library
  Librarians/Media Specialists love authors: be sure to meet them and donate a signed copy of your book to the library.

4.  KID CONTROL

It’s a given: kids don’t sit still, but you know that, right?  You'll win the over with your amazing presence and pressie.

• Connect right away

​​Use personal experiences to make unique connections:
 
I love fourth grade because I was in fourth grade when I wrote my first story.
​
This tale is about a child who is in first grade….just like you!

• Channel wiggles and giggles

Short bursts of activities keep kids hooked: the younger the child, the more bursts you need.

For instance, younger kids can interact with the story by moving appropriately to passages you read.

When reading about driving a car, I demonstrate by moving my hands around an imaginary wheel, and asking kids to stay seated and follow my moves until I tell them to stop.

When in doubt, ask an educator. I was apprehensive about a roleplaying activity, but after  asking for feedback, we settled on a ‘controlled’ role play.

​I played a main character from my book, and teachers selected children to come up and interact with me as that character.  It was a huge hit with the kids and a joy for me.
​

• Manage behaviors

It’s great to see kids excited and having fun.  Most are angels, but a few will test you.  

After 20+ year’s experience working with children, I'm comfortable managing inappropriate behaviors as soon as they pop up.  My best tactic is the No-Nonsense Eyeball that sends a non-verbal message about the need to straighten up n*o*w.  

Another trick is to establish behavioral expectations by reinforcing kids who participate appropriately:

I love the way you’re sitting.

You're listening politely.  Will you be my helper?
​
Thanks for raising your hand.
What a brilliant answer!

If you're unsure about behaviors, teachers or librarians will step in.  (Yep, I still ask staff to stay in the room with me.) 

Don't show faces without parental permission

• Take Lots of Photos

​​Nothing beats a powerful image of an author in the classroom.  But be careful posting photos of kids you meet.  I don’t show children's faces on my sites unless I have a written okay from parents.  Some parents even deny permission to photograph their child, but teachers will identify those students for you.   

Instead of faces, shoot the tops and backs of those sweet heads or a close up of hands writing or drawing.   Be prepared for at least one lil darlin’ to turn around and face you as you click your perfect shot -- LOL!  

Arrange for school staff to snap you while you’re working with students, and bring an easy-to-use smart phone or point-and-shoot camera for them to use.  To add interest, capture building façades and iconic visuals like art projects, libraries, or bulletin boards.
​

Share iconic school images that highlight your visit

5.  CLOSE
​

• Say Thanks 

​Make time to thank students and staff.  Energy and enthusiasm is highest at the close, so this is the perfect time to let them know you welcome return visits.

• Don’t Forget  Giveaways

I was so excited after one visit, I  neglected my leave-behinds until teachers kindly reminded me.

• Add Your Call to Action

​An author visit is a chance to build relationships, and this is the time to encourage students and staff to join your tribe.  

Encourage kids, with the help of an adult, to send you drawings, story ideas, photos of them reading your book, etc., or ask their parents to subscribe to your newsletter.  They know how to stay in touch because your contact information is on your giveaways, right?

6.  FOLLOW UP
​​

​Almost done!

Demonstrating appreciation goes a long way to augment your professionalism and raise your visibility.

• Send thank-you notes

Write a note to your contacts and school staff, and add any testimonials you receive to your author website or social media.
​

• Consider a video highlight

I include a video of visit highlights using approved photos (See step 4).  You’ll find free software to make the vids, like native i-Movie for OS/Moviemaker for Windows, cloud-based Animoto, or any of a ton of mobile apps like, Ripl and Shadow Puppet. 

Once again, include your call to action and social media links in the vid's outro. 

What can you add to these strategies for school visit success?

​Congratulations!  

You finished your first round of visits.  Now sit back and relax. 

But don't rest too long.  It's already time to start planning your next  visit.  
 
Coming Next in this Blog Series 
PART 2: 10 Kid Lit Pros Share School Visit Secrets  
Next week, Kid Lit authors and elementary educators drop by to share school visit secrets that will move you to the head of the class.

But before you go, don't be shy.  What tips could you add to these steps?  And what's your take on charging a fee for author classroom visits? 

I love learning new things and am grateful to you for sharing ideas.

---

Thanks for visiting.  Don’t miss a post!
Receive this blog by RSS feed or email.

Join the fun * Join my tribe
Receive updates, special offers and
my free downloadable tale for the young at heart: 
Driving Down to Dillon: a Very Short Story of Love and New Beginnings.

P.S.  I HATE spam; your email address is confidential and safe.

Join Cat's Tribe of Readers

   Twitter   Facebook   Pinterest   Goodreads   Amazon   Instagram