Generate awareness and you'll draw shoppers in. To get you started, we've included colorful, easy-to-use tools in your Planning Kit Box.

Be sure to take advantage of the:

• Outdoor Banners: Display in high-traffic, high-visibility areas of your school.
• Indoor Posters: Perfect for main hallways, the cafeteria, and the entrance to your media center.
• Directional Arrows: Use to point everyone to your Fair.
• Book Lists promote a sampling of products available through your Fair. Distribute them to students a few days before your Book Fair.
• The Author Video previews popular titles at the Exchange.

Previews are the most effective ways to promote the Book Fair. Work with teachers to coordinate student preview of the Fair. Encourage visitors to complete a Student Wish List (PDF Form 227KB) during their preview.

Don't overlook the staff. Invite faculty for an after-hours preview with light refreshments. Ask teachers to participate in the Classroom Wish List activity.

Schools across the country have shared advertising ideas and strategies that have worked well for them.
Consider these proven ideas, then add your own extra touch or local spin to make the idea your own.

Booktalks: Invite students to present booktalks on popular titles. Schedule these presentations during previews, or over morning PA announcements.

Skits-n-Bits: Ask small groups of students to write and perform entertaining routines promoting Book Fair products, contests, or activities.

In the Zone: Assign students to display large signs they have created in the pickup/drop-off zones. These signs should invite parents to the Fair and highlight activities planned for them.

Screen Saver Billboards: Enlist the help of computer savvy individuals to create a screen saver advertising the Book Fair. Arrange to display the screen savers on school computers.

Table Tents: Create table tents (PDF Form 126KB) that advertise dates, times, and contests. Place them of cafeteria tables, the teacher lounge, and front office counters.

Sandwich Boards: Create foam or poster board sandwich boards with bold Book Fair messages on both sides. Assign Crew members to parade the signs through hallways, the cafeteria, and pick-up/drop-off zones.

Teacher Lounge Links: Target special messages to teachers and create displays for teacher lounges. Let teachers know how much their participation is appreciated.

Daily Flyers: Distribute flyers that promote different aspects of your Fair. Use different colored paper for each version. Distribute flyers between classes, during lunch, and at after-school activities.

Press Releases: Increase the odds that a press release (RTF 5KB) will interest your media by incorporating a human-interest angle, such as a faculty challenge.

Freezer Pops: Sell freezer pops during lunch to remind students to "pop down" to the Book Fair. Distribute them with flyers listing Fair date/time and contest info.

E-Campaign: Challenge students to gather e-mail addresses and start and e-campaign promoting the Book Fair. Start a chain reaction by asking e-mail recipients to forward the message to four of their friends, and so on, and so on.

Letter Campaign: Ask students to write letters to send to parents. The letters should state Fair goals and product offerings. Encourage both English and Spanish classes to use this activity as a class project.

Got Shirts?: Recruit artistic students to stencil or paint messages on t–shirts (PDF 61KB). Have students wear these shirts in the days leading up to the Fair and during Book Fair week.

Promo Poster Contest: Conduct a poster competition. Number entries and display posters in hallway before Book Fair week. Invite students to cast a vote for their favorite.

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