If you’ve written a children’s book, you might already know that promoting and securing media attention for this genre can be tough. The competition is high making it difficult to stand out from your peers and their projects.
However, just because the children’s genre is difficult to tap into, doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Every story has its target markets; you just need to know how to reach them! Here are a few tips on how to promote your children’s book.
1) Hold an event at your local and regional libraries and elementary schools.
Contact the events coordinator at your library and local elementary school district administration office. Offer an ‘afternoon with a local children’s author’ in which you can read your book to the target age group, discuss the characters, themes and lessons, and hold a workshop with the students. Have your elevator pitch prepared when you call and an electronic outline of your event description ready to submit as a follow-up.
2) Ground your book with relevant themes.
The most difficult children’s books to promote are ones of pure entertainment purpose. When authors weave a ‘real-life’ angle, educational theme, social cause, etc. into their book, it is easier to highlight the uniqueness of the story. The media will be more apt to consider featuring the book/author when they can tie it into a bigger issue. Parents will be more likely to buy the book for their children when they know it is a book that goes beyond a fun read. And, ultimately, children will learn something from reading the book!
3) Find and tap into the children’s book social network.
For each book genre there is a network – the same holds true for the children’s market. Do your research on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and blogs and start interacting with fellow children’s book writers, publishers, and authors. Ask and answer questions, suggest links and associations and share what makes your book unique! The more awareness you generate within your network, the greater ‘word of mouth awareness’ success you’ll have.
4) Submit guest blogs.
Seek out blogs from other children’s authors, readers, and publishers and submit guest blog entries. This is especially great for authors who may have published an entertaining read. Research, select and write about a trend in the children’s book industry and watch publicity for your project follow.
Bottom line: Don’t be afraid to steer away from topics in your book! Children’s authors, especially, must be creative and persistent.
Bonus Tip: Jacket Flap online is a website that connects you to the work of more than 200,000 authors, illustrators, publishers and other creators of books for Children and Young Adults. Visit today to start networking! http://www.jacketflap.com
Corinne Liccketto is the Sales & Marketing Manager at Smith Publicity, Inc. Beginning in 1997, Smith Publicity is one of the world’s leading promotional firms, specializing in book publicity. Fueled by a passion for making good things happen for clients, the company has worked with over 900 individuals and companies–from authors and entrepreneurs to publicly-held companies and businesses representing a wide range of industries. The Smith Publicity reach is international with offices in New Jersey, New York City, Los Angeles, and London. For more information about Smith Publicity, Inc., please visit www.smithpublicity.com.
Good tips! Glad to know I’m doing most of them already.
Thanks!