“The basic issue in marketing is creating a category you can be first in. It’s the law of leadership: It’s better to be first than it is to be better.” Al Ries & Jack Trout
Your Book Is Live Now What?
imple ways to get your book noticed
From Publish Button to Page Views
A smart guide for first-time children’s authors
You’ve done it. You wrestled with plot, characters, and bedtime-friendly pacing, and your children’s book now sits proudly on Amazon. But once the initial high fades, another question sets in: How do I get people to actually find it? The answer isn’t dumping money into ads or hiring a marketing army, it’s about showing up in the right places with the right story.
Share Your Story Behind the Story
Authenticity sells
Every book has a reason it exists and that reason is your best marketing hook. Did your story grow out of tales you told your kids? Did a childhood memory spark the main character? Post that origin story on Instagram, record it for TikTok, or write a short blog entry. People buy why as much as they buy what. When your book feels personal, readers feel invited into your world.
Social Media, But Smarter
One or two platforms not all of them
You don’t need to chase every platform. For parents, Instagram and Facebook are the sweet spots. Post illustrations, short excerpts, and behind-the-scenes peeks. Use specific hashtags like #KidsBookAuthor, #StorytimeMagic, and #ParentingReads.
Don’t just post interact. Reply to comments, ask questions, and run small giveaways (signed copies, character bookmarks). Word-of-mouth among parents can be more effective than any paid ad.
Find the Gatekeepers, Bloggers & Reviewers
They already have your readers
Children’s literature and parenting bloggers are constantly looking for fresh material. Identify the ones aligned with your theme (emotions, adventure, animals) and send personalized pitches never a mass email. Offer a free copy for review, and if possible, a short Q&A or guest post. These features often live online for years, quietly driving traffic to your Amazon page.
Work With Amazon, Not Against It
Learn the platform’s tools
Your Amazon listing is more than a price and cover image. Write a keyword-rich description using terms parents actually search (“bedtime books for preschoolers” beats “enchanting family tale”).
Use Amazon A+ Content for bonus images and comparison charts. Consider small, targeted Amazon Ads campaigns to get in front of the right audience. And remember: early reviews matter include a polite request at the end of your book asking happy readers to leave one.
Host a Virtual Storytime
Bring the book to life
A live read-aloud on Facebook, Instagram, or Zoom is a low-cost way to connect directly with families. Keep it short, engaging, and interactive. Invite kids to ask questions or show their own drawings inspired by the story. Record the session so you can share clips later evergreen content that keeps working long after you log off.
Partner With Schools and Libraries
Build your local base
Offer to do in-person or virtual readings for schools, pairing the event with themed activity sheets (coloring pages, puzzles). Teachers love resources that reinforce a story. Libraries, too, are eager for author events and every library copy is a long-term discovery tool.
Lean Into Video
Your illustrations are perfect for it
Short, colorful videos thrive on TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels. Film page flips, illustration time-lapses, or mini drawing tutorials. For extra polish, create a book trailer using animation or slideshow tools. Share it across your channels and embed it in your Amazon Author page.
Start That Email List
It’s still one of the best tools
Set up a simple landing page offering a free printable (coloring sheet, mini-story) in exchange for an email address. Use the list for monthly updates new projects, exclusive discounts, fan art spotlights. Unlike social media, you own your email list, and it can grow into your most valuable marketing asset.
Experiment With Targeted Ads
Small budgets, sharp targeting
If you have some ad budget, test Facebook and Instagram ads aimed at parents of kids in your target age group. Start with small spends, test different images and headlines, and keep what works. Video ads featuring read-aloud snippets often perform best for children’s titles.
Team Up With Other Authors
Twice the reach for half the work
Find authors in your genre and do joint giveaways or co-hosted online events. Each of you brings an audience, and both gain exposure. Readers who like one children’s author often collect others.
Further Reading
To ognite your Inspiration
- Jane Friedman – The Business of Being a Writer: “Offers essential writing-industry know-how—from queries and agents to building your platform and understanding long-term income.”
- Joanna Penn – How to Market a Book: “A mix of entrepreneurial insight and practical strategies for marketing and building a career as an author.”
- Kindlepreneur Blog – Amazon Marketing Deep Dives: “Deep, up-to-date tactics and tools for authors navigating Amazon’s marketing ecosystem.”
- Reedsy – Children’s Book Marketing Guide: “A free email-course by Eevi Jones, packed with launch, promotion, and marketing strategies tailored for children’s writers.”
- SCBWI – Events & Resources: “A global hub offering workshops, webinars, conferences, guides, and networking tailored to children’s book creators.”
Final Thoughts
Play the Long Game
Building a readership takes time. Celebrate small wins the first review, the first Instagram shout-out, the first library order. Keep showing up with your book in creative ways, and you’ll go from “someone who published” to “someone whose stories are read and remembered.”
References
- Amazon KDP Help Center. Optimize Your Book for More Sales. 2025
- Amazon Advertising. Getting Started with Amazon Ads. 2025
- Instagram Creators. Best Practices for Engagement. 2025
- Facebook Business. Advertising Guide for Authors. 2025
- American Library Association. Author Visits and Programming. 2025
- Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators. Marketing and Promotion Resources. 2025
