I just got back from the Emerald Coast Writers' Annual Conference in Fort Walton Beach FL where I took pitches on Friday and Saturday mornings. And it occurred to me, some of the writers could have used a rundown of "What to do" vs. "What NOT to do."
So here it is.
DO
Introduce yourself and say your name when you meet an agent. (One of the advantages to meeting an agent is that you're getting to know them. Your name is important.)
Prepare. Just like a query, start with what your book is about - who's your character, what happens to them.
Write your succinct pitch down on paper and bring it with you. If you're nervous or have a brain drain, pull it out. (Reading from a piece of paper is way less embarrassing than staring at us blankly and going "uh....")
Come prepared. With possible questions. If you finish the pitch early, you can ask anything - if you can't think of anything, ask about good book recommendations. We love talking books.
DON'T
Corner an agent somewhere strange - like the bathroom or a locked car - and launch right into a pitch. (If you have the opportunity, like you're in the car or a bathroom with an agent, talk to them first - as a person - and then mention your book.)
Pitch to any available agent - research which agent is right for you and your project. If you have a slew of pictures books and an adult thriller, try to pitch to an agent who handles both genres. Or when you pitch to the agent, ask them for query recommendations.
Just not show up to a scheduled pitch session. If for some reason, you've decided you're not ready to pitch or the scheduled agent isn't right for you, go anyway. You've got the chance to talk to someone in the industry - ask them questions!
Be nervous! We're love hearing about books!