Where are the young readers?

[ShadowKitty]

Hey everyone - just looking for any practical advice when it comes to promoting your books... I have written a couple of fantasy adventure novels most suited to 7-16 year olds. I have taken the self publishing route initially as it was a bit of fun to start with but I have actually really enjoyed getting my head around the marketing aspect - but without much success!!

I think my main problem is getting the ads, social media, promotions and giveaways etc actually in front of my audience. I've used Facebook and built up followers but there seem to be very few in my age range - the people in my age range on twitter don't seem to be shopping for books. Most of the stuff online relating to writing seems to be pages and twitter feeds from other writers followed by writers - not our audiences...

I'm wondering whether to pursue Instagram influencers (if I can find them), maybe You Tube bloggers, but where else might young readers be turning their attention outside of a book shop? Any ideas and suggestions very much appreciated!

7-16yo is a huge range. That goes from the starting chapter books through to pretty much adult.
If I was looking for a book for a child I wouldn't buy a book that said it was that range on the basis that I can't tell what is suitable, so I'd start by narrowing it down and focusing on a smaller age range.
Try offering to go into schools and rad an extract for book day, or give some to a school library.

Also given your age range, 7yos are more influenced by adults, and certainly will have the adults buying the books. 16yos are more likely to go for peer recommendations etc.

Yy to witchend. Have a look at book categories. A book can not possibly appeal to such a wide range of kids - their reading abilities are too wide.

middle grade and YA novels are totally different, with different genre expectations. How long is your book? Have you had any kids read it?

Kids don’t use Facebook or Twitter. They use snapchat, Instagram, etc.

@Witchend and @spottybetty one of the books is more suitable to younger kids and the other for older but you're both right - I think my audience is too big. I think I need to pin down who exactly I'm writing for and I haven't done that clearly enough...

I agree on the platforms young people use but am struggling to see how I can get to those audiences on Instagram or Snapchat... Schools is a good idea - I'll maybe get in touch with some locally and offer some copies. Thanks for the input!