Marketing a children's book

There are successful selfpublishers in every niche, but authors of childrens books face more challenges than most both on the publishing. The most trusted guide to the world of childrens publishing. Promotions for these titles have to appeal to two distinct groups. Authors who write for children face many challenges. If you want your book to be bought and read by the widest audience possible, you have to let readers know that its available and that means marketing your book. The sites below offer free as well as paid options and are genuine. We wanted to add this section at the top in light of everything happening with the coronavirus sweeping the world with so many. Childrens book marketing programs are often developed for parents and grandparents the people who buy books for younger members of their families. In the second of three posts in this series, allis childrens author advisor karen inglis shares valuable advice gained from the booksellers childrens conference on how to sell books. She regularly goes into primary schools and has held many book signings in waterstones and independent bookshops across southwest london.

Sell more childrens books with a great cover marketing a book. Below i share seven key marketing tips for childrens authors most of which i have tried and tested and most of which have worked well for me. Childrens books require specific book marketing skills. Here are some of the most notable childrens book awards. Great book marketing ideas that will get people snapping up your novel or nonfiction masterpiece. Many children s writers who are new to the field believe it s normal to pay to have a book published. A guide to marketing your children s book by barbara cohen. Susan raabs an authors guide to childrens book promotion is a short but packed collection of tips and ideas for authors who want to take a more active role in marketing their own books, especially. Once youve written and published your childrens book, its time to. For book promotion purposes, childrens and young adult books ideally have newsworthy themes, and authors have expertise in the theme covered in the book. Childrens book authors need to be on instagram because your audience is teachers and moms are on ig tips that have worked best for maria childrens books on marketing making the.

She has been featured in multiple media outlets, such as tedx, scary mommy, kindlepreneur, huffington post, ep magazine, military. How to write a childrens book in 9 easy steps complete. Six powerful ways to market childrens books 30 day books. Thinking back to your own kids favorite book, your favorite book, or simpler times is not going to help you in todays market. Childrens book authorsillustrators great childrens books. Writerpreneurauthorillustrator katie davis provides tips and secrets on how to market a childrens book in this video series based. Oct 31, 2019 celebrated childrens book author, crystal swainbates, was fed up with the lack of black childrens books on the market, so she founded goldest karat publishing in order to address the lack of diversity in childrens literature. Sep 15, 2011 writerpreneurauthorillustrator katie davis provides tips and secrets on how to market a childrens book in this video series based. Aug, 2018 there were probably about 50 people there and the subject was how to selfpublish and market a children s book. Unless youre a celebrity or have a large following already, selfpublishing your childrens book is a great way to get your foot in the door, even if your ultimate goal is to get published the traditional way. Book marketing for authors during the covid19 pandemic. Celebrated childrens book author, crystal swainbates, was fed up with the lack of black childrens books on the market, so she founded goldest karat publishing in order to address the lack of diversity in childrens literature. A guide to marketing your childrens book by barbara cohen.

Homing in on your book s target audience will also help demonstrate your understanding of the publishing business, which is something most editors want in a collaborator. That means that your book marketing campaigns must be created with the adult in. Well get your book in front of the ones interested in your book s genres. Well get your book in front of the ones interested in your books genres. Dec 17, 2016 karen inglis is a successful selfpublished childrens author with close to 10,000 sales across five titles. Childrens book authorsillustrators great childrens. Author of forever friends smallfellow press, 2002, and a contributing writer at, a website for new and.

Apr 10, 20 so youve written a childrens book, hired an illustrator or illustrated it yourself, and it is now at the printers probably in china if its fourcolor. Start marketing your book early the balance careers. Marketing selfpublished children s books is an interesting task, different from the marketing of a regular book for one sole reason. Many authors just want to write, and dont want to market. Having seen and been involved in so many book launches ourselves, we know what works and what doesnt when it comes to book marketing well walk you through a playbyplay of exactly what you need to do so that your readers can find your book and buy it. So, there you are, drained from giving your blood, sweat and tears to write the next great american bestselling childrens. But the six fundamental campaign elements listed above are useful to nearly everyone. How to make money publishing childrens books on kindle. Bloomsbury childrens books 85 broadway new york, ny 10018. When you are marketing a childrens book, the book itself must do the heavy lifting. Want your children s book featured at the event that more than 600 journalists representing 70 countries report on each year.

I thought it would make a great sample of a mini marketing plan for businesses looking to develop one for themselves, especially book businesses. Three keys to marketing childrens books ingramspark. Second, although you are marketing to adults, your book must still appeal to the actual children you wrote the book for. Now in its 26th edition, cwim is the definitive publishing guide for anyone who seeks to write or illustrate for kids and young adults.

Today s successful children s book authors are making smart use of viral video marketing to cut through the clutter and get discovered. Marketing selfpublished childrens books requires appealing to both kids and adults. This is because marketing a childrens book can be very unpredictable. I received tremendous guidance from my marketing consultant and publicist. Includes tips on building mailing lists, running promotions and advertising. Publishing childrens books on amazon kindle amazon recognizes that there is a childrens author inside many of us, thats why they introduced kindles kids book creator, a free tool that allows authors and publishers to convert illustrated childrens. With over 100,000 books sold, her childrens books have been featured in forbes, cnn, essence, the huffington post. Read about our childrens book marketing strategies that can help separate your book.

Marketing childrens books by barbara cohen author of forever friends smallfellow press, 2002, and a contributing writer at, a website for new and emerging authors. In this email course from author and book coach eevi jones, you will be introduced to marketing strategies that will help you successfully promote your children s book before. Book promotion kindle book promotion, kindle free book. As previously mentioned, marketing children s books can be difficult. Susan raab s an author s guide to children s book promotion is a short but packed collection of tips and ideas for authors who want to take a more active role in marketing their own books, especially children s books. They have to satisfy parents who make the buying decisions and they must also entertain the children who are their target. Does it make marketing childrens book harder than marketing books for teens and adults. As previously mentioned, marketing childrens books can be difficult. This is a vital step in the promotion and marketing of your book, andif done rightwill make the rest of the process. When marketing other books, you take into account what your readers will be drawn to. Children will enjoy reading my book while learning valuable lessons about stranger danger. Illustrating and marketing books for kids with katie davis.

Now when i first did that festival a few years ago the idea that someone might be talking about children s selfpublishing would have been you know. For instance, i arranged to read savitri at a monthly meeting of the northern california childrens booksellers associationin this way reaching many of the areas childrens. Ways to market your childrens book my book illustrator. Lets talk about the biggest mistakes in cover design, especially when it comes to book promotion in the childrens book market. That means your job as an author is to write a book that appeals to two different audiences. Marketing selfpublished childrens books is an interesting task, different from the marketing of a regular book for one sole reason. Childrens picture book marketing case study interview. Boyds mills press, calkins creek, wordsong, highlights press 815 church st. There were probably about 50 people there and the subject was how to selfpublish and market a childrens book. They have to satisfy parents who make the buying decisions and they must also entertain the children who are their target audience. Childrens book marketing presents many unique opportunities when it comes to promotion. Beth eller director of school and library marketing beth.

In fact, most despise this aspect of being an author. Mar 05, 2020 childrens book authors need to be on instagram because your audience is teachers and moms are on ig tips that have worked best for maria childrens books on marketing making the shift to focusing on teachers has made all the difference. How to selfpublish and market a childrens book with karen. In case you havent noticed, this article too was meant as a way to promote the book as well as a way to share useful information. If a publisher asks for money to publish a children s book, that is a red flag. Common approaches to book marketing will often fall short as you attempt to appeal to your target readership kids and the people who are likely to buy books for them. If you present a wellperforming book and an established author platform. In reality, the publisher should always pay the writer. Cybils childrens and young adult literary blogger awards. Your book offer allows our readers to get a taste of your writing. Remember that you will not only be marketing to kids, but to their parents as well. How to selfpublish and market a childrens book with. So before you start the book marketing process, you should have a set plan. Im seeking help in marketing my book to get exposure.

The newsletters of these organizations are very informative, and the meetings are great places to get known. More authors are writing children s books today, and more authors are independently publishing children s books. Many childrens writers who are new to the field believe its normal to pay to have a book published. Knowing your audience is essential when youre writing your book and crucial when youre selling it. How to market a childrens book, as well as titles for young adults, is similar to all book marketing, but with notable additions. The reason is largely that our kids have changed drastically. Once again, social media is not used often enough when it comes to marketing childrens books. Add this fact to the points made above about demographics, longevity and inspiration of other marketers, it makes sense to try to market childrens. Childrens picture book marketing case study interview posted on december 6, 2015 by kareninglis when i occasionally host interviews my aim as with the rest of my blog is to share best practice and knowhow that i think will help fellow childrens. Book publishing books are marketing tools independent publisher independent publisher book awards elit book awards living now book awards moonbeam childrens book awards axiom business book.

Apr 28, 2017 marketing selfpublished childrens books is an interesting task, different from the marketing of a regular book for one sole reason. Publishing childrens books on amazon kindle amazon recognizes that there is a childrens author inside many of us, thats why they introduced kindles kids book creator, a free tool that allows authors and publishers to convert illustrated childrens books into fantastic kindle books. Marketing a childrens book and promoting an author never turns out the same way twice. Since children dont buy books, you have to market to adults. Thank you iuniverse for helping independent authors publish and market their books with confidence. Todays successful childrens book authors are making smart use of viral video marketing to cut through the clutter and get discovered. Childrens books have some unique opportunities when it comes to marketing and pr. Clevers acquisitions must also be general enough in concept to hold appeal for the russian childrens book market. The first thing an editor wants to know is whether its the kind of book they can sell. How to publish a childrens book for free pen and the pad. See more ideas about book publishing, writing a book and books. Services like and amazons createspace mean its never been easier to become an author and publish a.

How to market your childrens book free course reedsy. These publications are widely disseminated to our target market. Apr 16, 2019 making and marketing childrens and ya series. Author of forever friends smallfellow press, 2002, and a contributing writer at, a website for new and emerging authors. Take a look and see which ones you believe are a good fit. There is no end to the ways you can promote a book, or to the time you can spend doing it. Mar 08, 2011 the following is a fictitious mini marketing plan i created for a publishing class while in university studying communication.