- Pick a local non-profit of your choice for donations raised by Read-A-Thon participants.
- Have people R.S.V.P. a spot several weeks ahead of time so you know how many to expect. Ask those who sign up to get their friends and family to "sponsor" them for their reading time, and set a minimum donation requirement in order for people to participate.
- Get other locally owned businesses involved in the event, by asking for donations of food and prizes. Be sure to mention these local businesses in the press release and posters/publicity for your event.
- Break up the round-the-clock reading with a few activities. Literary Trivial Pursuit, local author readings, and midnight snacks all are fun possibilities.
- Have an incentive for readers to stay for the duration, like a grand prize for whoever reads the most or raises the most money!
- Not everyone is going to stay the full 24-hours or stay awake. That's okay! The point of this event is to raise awareness for independent bookstores and raise money for local organizations, and any contributions made are valuable to the community.
- For participants under the age of 18 staying overnight, it is important for the store to require signed permission from a parent or guardian.
- Be sure to get contact numbers from all participants in case of an emergency.