Self-publishing children’s books involves much more than just writing them. Self-published authors are in charge of all the steps that go into creating a book, and then they’re responsible for telling the world! A good marketing strategy is a key factor in your book’s success. But where should you start? Today, we’re sharing ten marketing ideas to help you sell your book to readers all around the world!
1. Build an email list
There’s no better way to reach readers than by connecting with them directly. Using a professional-quality author website, you can start to generate an email list, getting readers (and book buyers) to subscribe for updates on your books and your writing journey. Once audiences are subscribed to your email list, you’ll be able to share news about marketing campaigns, author events, book launches, competitions, and more!
If you’re looking for help creating a top-notch author website, check out Cure Collective and Intricate Designs!
2. Make the most of SEO
If you didn’t know, SEO stands for search engine optimization, and it's an important tool in driving organic traffic to your website and/or book listing. SEO relates to the keywords that search engines look for when categorizing online content.
By using SEO keywords in your book’s title and/or description, you can help your book show up in online searches for related topics. Are you writing a book about happiness and birthday parties? Try to include these and other related terms in your title, subtitle, or description. This will help Google find your book and show it to soon-to-be readers.
3. Free promo days
Sometimes, you have to give to receive. Free promo days are a self-publishing staple, and this is for good reason. We all love free gifts, right? When, for a limited time, you offer your book for free, more readers will find and download it. While these won’t be paying buyers, they will play an important role in bringing the spotlight to your book.
Readers who download books on free promo days often leave reviews, which can help bump your book up in online searches and get you closer to bestseller status. Plus, readers who find you through a freebie are likely to share your books with their friends and buy the books you publish in the future!
4. Team up with other authors
Self-publishing is hard work, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. As a self-published author, one of your best resources will be the other talented writers who have walked this path before you.
Fellow authors are great for advice, support, and solidarity, but they can also be a part of your marketing strategy. Team up with authors who publish in your genre to share each other’s books and run joint campaigns and promo days. You’ll make friends and build your respective audiences. It’s a win-win!
5. Send copies to social influencers
In 2021, social media is a huge part of any successful marketing campaign! Social influencers in the book and parenting niches are great sources of spotlight for your story.
Do your research and identify a few social influencers who you think would enjoy your book, then send out free copies! If the influencers you contact love your book, they might share it with their followers, generating a whole lot of interest and awareness.
6. Signings and author events
Did you know that signings and author events are where many authors earn most of their writing income? By running events, you can become a known face in the publishing industry and build a community around yourself and the books you write.
Many schools, childcare facilities, and community groups/events have opportunities for author visits, workshops, talks, signings, and more. Some of these things can even be done remotely online! Spend some time tracking down event opportunities. Remember to make the most of any events that you’re involved in by bringing plenty of signed books to sell!
7. Contact local libraries and bookstores
Who said your book couldn’t appear in your local library or your favorite independent bookstore? Many self-published books reach these places, but they only make it when librarians and booksellers know they exist!
Try contacting your local library and bookstores in your area, and offer to provide a few copies for them to stock. If your book is relevant to a specific related topic or niche, you might also decide to contact local zoos, aquariums, tourist centers, and so on.
8. Run a competition to win a copy
People love winning free things! There’s nothing quite like a competition to bring attention to your book. In the lead-up to your launch date, set up a contest in which a signed copy of your book is the prize.
When establishing the rules for your book giveaway, try to consider how this part of your marketing strategy might also contribute to the other steps. Perhaps an entry requirement could be subscribing to your email list, following you on social media, or sharing your book announcement online.
Running competitions can be a valuable tool in getting people talking about your book. Even those who don’t win will be following your journey, and they might just purchase a copy of your book when it’s available.
9. Paid ads
Paid ads can be helpful when it comes to targeting potential readers directly. There are lots of options, so you’ll need to do some research to decide which path is right for you and your story.
You might like to consider paid advertising on social media or with a big provider like Publisher’s Weekly or Writer’s Digest. You might also like to look into paid advertising with local publications.
10. Submit to book awards
That’s right; you could be an award-winning author! There are lots of book awards specific to indie authors, so set out on your search! With an award comes publicity, brand awareness, and an extra stamp of industry approval.
You might just be the next winner of the Indie Readers Discovery Award, an Independent Publisher Book Award, or an Indies Today Award!
If you found this blog post helpful, download your FREE marketing ideas list, and let us know what marketing strategies have worked best for you!
At Wildflower Books, we offer a range of editing and proofreading services. We specialize in children’s fiction, from picture books and YA novels, and have helped many authors create fantastic books. If you’d like to learn more about your editing options, we’d love to hear from you. Send us an email today!
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