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 and Jack Trout
You’ve Published Your Children’s Book on Amazon—Now What?
Congratulations! You’ve done what many dream about: you’ve written and published your very own children’s book. But now, you’re staring at your book’s Amazon page, wondering how to get it in front of eager young readers and their parents. The good news; You don’t need a huge marketing budget or a team of experts to start gaining traction. Here are some practical steps to promote your book and build a devoted audience.
1. Start with Your Story—Your Personal Story
Every author has a unique journey that led them to publish their first book. Share yours. Did your kids inspire the story? Is it based on bedtime tales you’ve crafted over the years? Readers love a good behind-the-scenes moment, and this personal touch helps create a connection with your audience. Write a blog post, share a video, or create an Instagram post sharing why this book means so much to you people are more likely to buy something that comes with an authentic story.
2. Tap into Social Media—Strategically
Social media is your free megaphone. Start by choosing one or two platforms that make sense for your target audience Instagram and Facebook are great for reaching parents. Post colorful excerpts of your book, snippets of illustrations, and even behind-the-scenes peeks at the writing process.
Use relevant hashtags like #ChildrensBooks, #KidsStoryTime, or #AmazonAuthor to help interested people find you. Remember, it’s not just about promoting, engage with your followers. Ask questions, share anecdotes, and create conversations.
To maximize engagement, try running giveaways or contests. For example, you could offer a signed copy of your book or a personalized illustration to followers who share your post or tag a friend. This not only boosts visibility but also encourages word-of-mouth marketing, which is incredibly powerful for children’s books.
3. Reach Out to Parenting and Children’s Book Bloggers
You don’t have to do this alone. There are many bloggers out there who are eager for new content to share. Research and reach out to bloggers who focus on children’s literature or parenting. Offer them a free copy of your book in exchange for a review or a feature. If your book is niche, say it features a particular animal or has a lesson about managing emotions, find bloggers interested in those topics. The key here is personalization: don’t mass email. Make each blogger feel like you’re genuinely interested in their content.
4. Leverage Amazon’s Own Tools
Amazon provides plenty of tools to help you. Make sure your book description is compelling and keyword-optimized. Spend time researching what parents might search for (e.g., “bedtime stories for toddlers” or “funny books for 5-year-olds”). Use Amazon A+ Content to enhance your product description with images, comparison charts, and additional text to make your book stand out. Consider using Amazon Ads to give your book an extra boost targeting specific keywords or audiences can help your book reach more potential readers.
Encourage friends, family, and early readers to leave honest reviews. Amazon’s algorithm rewards books that have strong early engagement. Reviews are a major factor in gaining visibility. You can even include a call-to-action at the end of your book, asking readers to leave a review if they enjoyed it.
5. Host Virtual Read-Alouds
Hosting a virtual read-aloud can help bring your book to life. Use Facebook Live, Instagram, or Zoom to read your book aloud, perhaps even inviting kids to listen in and interact. This can create a deeper connection between you, your story, and potential buyers. Make sure to record the event so you can share clips later it’s evergreen content that can continue to work for you.
To add more value, consider pairing your read-aloud with a short Q&A session where kids (or their parents) can ask questions about the story or your writing process. This adds a personal touch and makes the session even more memorable.
6. Collaborate with Local Schools and Libraries
Reach out to local schools and libraries, offering a virtual or in-person reading session. Schools often love bringing in guest authors to talk about their books. Create some fun activity sheets that teachers could use in their classrooms it could be coloring pages of your characters, word searches, or simple questions about your story. This kind of engagement could turn a single reading into multiple book sales, especially if you make it easy for parents to buy after the event.
Don’t forget about library readings! Libraries are always looking for events that can engage the community. Offer to do a reading at your local library, and if possible, leave a few copies behind for their collection. This helps build a local fanbase and spreads the word organically.
7. Get Visual with Video Content
Children’s books are inherently visual, which is perfect for today’s video-driven world. Create short, engaging videos where you showcase your illustrations, read excerpts, or even share drawing tips if you illustrated your book yourself. Platforms like TikTok , Youtube Kids and Instagram Reels thrive on such content. Remember, these videos don’t need to be overly polished authenticity resonates more than perfect production.
Consider making a book trailer a short, animated video that gives viewers a sneak peek into the story. You can use simple animation tools or even create a slideshow. A compelling book trailer can be shared across social media, on your Amazon author page, or even in emails to your subscribers.
8. Build an Email List—Yes, Really!
Email might sound outdated compared to social media, but it’s still one of the best tools for engaging directly with readers. Create a simple website or a landing page where visitors can sign up to hear more about your journey, get exclusive updates, or receive free printables related to your book. Offer a free resource like a coloring page or a bonus story as an incentive for joining your list.
Once you have an email list, send out regular newsletters. Share updates about upcoming books, behind-the-scenes looks at your writing process, or exclusive offers. You can even feature fan art or stories from readers, which helps create a sense of community.
9. Run Targeted Ads on Social Media
Facebook and Instagram ads are a powerful way to reach parents and grandparents who are likely to buy children’s books. Start small—target specific demographics like parents of young children or people interested in children’s literature. Experiment with different ad formats, such as carousel ads featuring multiple illustrations from your book or video ads that show a read-aloud snippet. Monitor your results and adjust your approach based on what resonates most with your audience.
10. Cross-Promote with Other Authors
Look for other children’s book authors who are at a similar stage in their careers and offer to cross-promote. You can do this by featuring each other’s books in social media posts or organizing a joint giveaway. Cross-promotion helps you tap into each other’s audiences and gain exposure to readers who are already interested in children’s books.
Final Thoughts: Slow and Steady Wins the Race
Promoting a children’s book takes time, and it’s easy to feel disheartened if you don’t see results right away. But remember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Celebrate each small success every follower, every review, every person who tells you they enjoyed your story. Stay consistent, stay visible, and most importantly, stay passionate about the story you’ve shared. Your readers are out there; they just need to find you.
