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Just Published - can i self promote on here?

4 replies

mumpy79 · 08/07/2019 14:42

So just been lucky enough to have my first book published - it is a children's illustrated book aimed at parents of 3 - 6 year olds (nursery and reception/year 1 age). I did not do the illustrations (not that talented!) but did give input on the image/illustrations on every page. As i said its my first book and whilst my publishers are doing what they do i am also looking at ways i can get myself and my book out there. In essence i am a nobody and i know i need to keep plugging and promoting to get noticed. The whole idea of being judged is definitely over whelming and stomach churning and any help or advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks

OP posts:
Zilla1 · 08/07/2019 15:08

Others will be better placed than me.

Do you have or plan to have and use any of the following though have you seen or contributed to your publisher's marketing plan? You might need to coordinate some of the following with your publisher.

Have you arranged/tried to arrange bookshop and school visits?

Do you have a website, blog, social media that you update with content regularly?

Do you have an email list?

Do you plan on any advertising? I'm told by self-publishers (I know you've a publisher) that Facebook ads can be productive.

Have you set up Amazon author pages, Wikipedia, Goodreads and so on. Picture books tend to be purchased in paper rather than kindle formats but Amazon still sells a scarily high percentage of paper books in the UK and USA.

Do you post on other blogs with posts that are more subtle than 'I've just published this' (I'm not saying you would be gauche but I see a lot of self-published authors who do post like this.

Where do your audience live? Could you advertise at local groups where parents and 3-6 year olds congregate?

Do you have a press pack? Have you contacted local press with whom you could do a meet the author/similar story?

Are there any marketing channels/events/groups that could tie in with the subject of this book or that you could hook onto press articles.

I'm sure you have but google some articles by self-published and other successful emerging authors in your book's age group for ideas.

Is your illustrator doing anything or could you coordinate with them?

Although it's a crowded field out there, if you are able to do some of the above (and I'm sure other suggestions will come along from other posters better placed than me) in coordination with your publisher's marketing department then it may help raise your profile.

Could the book have any international appeal/has your publisher launched in other markets? Different markets often use different social media for example.

Good luck.

Keep track of any expenditure for your accounts.

mumpy79 · 11/07/2019 17:01

Thanks for the advice - doing a lot of these things already so good to know i am on the right track. I will ensure i am more subtle in the future, excitement and nerves got the better of me !

Thanks again

OP posts:
Milicentbystander72 · 11/07/2019 17:20

Hello OP, massive congrats on your first book.

I'm a fairly well known children's book illustrator of 26 years. I've illustrated picture books to big glossy covers for young fiction.

Publishers vary massively in the amount of publicity they'll do for you. Mainly not much! Unless you have an eager audience waiting for your next sequel etc.

Arrange a book event locally, at an independent bookshop ideally. children's invite friends, family, advertise to local mother and baby groups you know. Show your book off, do a small reading, have some related craft activity (simple! No paint!) for young ones to do etc. Create a buzz. Offer to sign any books bought etc.

Ask anyone who buys one to leave a review online. Reviews really matter.

Tweet, Instagram and fb it! Make connections with books types. Be-friend book bloggers, ask if they review your book.

Comment on others book posts. Get your name known.

Tag your illustrator in everything! Pictures mean business. Literally. Have a good relationship with your illustrator and they'll do half your work. It pays for them to promote too. I have favourite authors I works with and have done dozens of books with each one. It's always a joy.

Start writing your next one! Don't expect this to make your fortune. Start building your portfolio.

Register for PLR!

Zilla1 · 11/07/2019 21:33

Mumpy,

I have just read your reply and my original post - v sorry, I absolutely didn't have your original post in mind when I said "Do you post on other blogs with posts that are more subtle than 'I've just published this' (I'm not saying you would be gauche but I see a lot of self-published authors who do post like this." though I realise it could be read that way/in an unkind way. Not my intention.

Good luck.

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