It’s no secret that every children’s author needs a good book marketing plan.
Whether you self-publish, traditionally publish, or hybrid publish, it’s up to you to spread the word and get your book out there. While marketing might feel like a big shot in the dark, there are some qualities that can get your book flying off the shelves instead of sitting in a box, collecting dust.
The Musts of a Good Book Marketing Plan
What is a marketing plan?
Of course, if you want to make a good book marketing plan, you first need to know what it is. Luckily, I can sum it up in one sentence:
A marketing plan is an organized schedule of how you plan to sell your books.
Lots of authors believe that once their book is published, the work is finished. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. Fortunately, with a good plan in place, the marketing side doesn’t have to be difficult.
Must #1: Plan Ahead
Many authors don’t start making a book marketing plan until after their book is published. They often think that since their book isn’t all put together yet, they have nothing to market. But the truth is, it’s never too early to start marketing your book.
Even if you don’t have the physical book in your hands, you can still build an audience and invite them on your journey.
Show your followers the writing process, the editing process, the illustrating process, and so on. You can also get them involved in important decisions like which cover to choose.
The earlier you can bring people in, the more likely they are to buy your book once it hits the shelves.
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Must #2: Focus Your Efforts on Launch Day
The day you launch your book is going to be the most important day in your book marketing plan. This is the day you and your followers have been waiting for!
On this day, you’ll want to participate in interviews, host a launch party, get your friends and family to spread the word, etc.
If you can funnel a sudden influx of sales into one day, you become much more likely to hit bestseller lists. You can read more about how to become an Amazon bestseller HERE.
When launch day comes, you need to be 100% focused on promoting your book. Don’t book anything else on that day. Your book needs all your attention for a successful launch.
Must #3: Continue Marketing Indefinitely
As you put together a book marketing plan, you need to remember that once you publish your book, marketing never stops.
Any chance you can get to promote your book, TAKE IT.
You might…
📖Rent a table at local craft shows to sell your book
📖Reach out to podcasts and media sources for interviews
📖Hire a PR company to help you spread the word
📖Speak at schools and sell your book
📖ALWAYS carry books with you in your car, purse, etc.
When I first published I CAN Believe in Myself, I would keep boxes of books in the trunk of my car so that I could spontaneously make sales as needed. You never know who you might run into at the grocery store!
If you plan to continue marketing your book even after it gets released, you’ll be sure to have a solid marketing plan.