Ideas on How to Promote your Storybook on a Budget

So, you've gotten your awesome idea written, illustrated, edited and now you're ready to share your book with the world! promote your Storybook

But how?

Learning how to promote your storybook can be overwhelming, especially for new authors. The good news is that book promotion doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. With a few of our ideas below, you can increase the visibility and engagement on a budget.

✨Creative Storybook Promotion✨promote your Storybook

Here are some ideas to get your started -

• Social Media: I know, I know. Every advertising guru pushes this but the truth is, if you find your 'tribe', it can do wonders for your storybook and help it reach an incredible audience. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok are just a few of the more popular ones. Create accounts or pages specifically for your book, where you can share updates, behind-the-scenes content (illustration progress works great!), or interesting facts about your author journey.

  
  

• Online Communities: Join forums and groups (Goodreads and Facebook Groups) where storybook lovers, like parents, teachers and so on, check in. Engage actively, share insights, and mention your book when it fits naturally into the conversation. Do not spam these groups with ads about your latest book - it's a sure fire way to get banned.

  
  

Building an Author Page ✍️

An author page is a space where you can build your presence and connect with your audience. Building this space doesn’t have to be difficult or daunting.

• Create a Website: This is essential for any author. It doesn’t have to be expensive. Use platforms like WordPress or Wix to create a basic site. There's 100s of templates available that you can make your own with a few drag and drop choices. Include an author bio, a page for each book, a blog, and a contact form. We can help write your Author Bio! 😉

  
  

• Email Newsletters: Collect email addresses through your website and start a newsletter. You can offer a free chapter of your latest book or come up with a creative lead magnet (free audiobooks of your story, to accompany your book, work great too!) in exchange for email sign-ups. Once you've started to gather the addresses, regularly send updates about your books, upcoming author events, and other related content.

  
  

Get out and about - The Local Community

Check out the local resources for promoting your book:

• Book Shops, Libraries, Primary Schools: Reach out to local book shop and libraries about hosting a reading or a book signing event. Lots of local stores love supporting local authors and might even promote your event through their social channels. Primary schools also love when local authors come in and share their latest book too!

  
  

• Community Events: Look out for book festivals, or writers’ conferences. These events often host a variety of authors and can attract book enthusiasts. Many have minimal fees or even free entry. Eventbrite usually has listings for local events 😁

  
  

The Reviews

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Reviews can make or break a sale, so here's some ways to gather more.

• Encourage Reviews from Readers: Consider adding a short paragraph, at the end of your book as a 'note for parents' and ask if their kids enjoyed your book, and if they did, ask them to write a short review on your platform. (like Amazon or Goodreads) Also, include this in your email newsletter too.

  
  

• Review Services: Do NOT pay for reviews! We can't emphasise this enough. Some platforms connect authors with readers willing to review books in exchange for a free copy 😊 Blog writers and Page admins on Facebook might offer the same thing too.

  
  

• Caution - There has been cases where rival authors have left bad reviews, usually 1/5 or 1 star, on writers books. There's nothing Amazon will do for these reviews so try not to take them to heart if they happen. As your book gains recognition in self-published circles, you might find this happens more than once.

  
  

Free Advertising Options 📖

• Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok - share content related to your book. Use hashtags relevant to your genre to increase visibility. And reach out to friends and family to give your ads a share to increase your reach.

  
  

• Blogs: Writing pieces for other blogs can introduce your storybook to new audiences. Look for blogs in your genre that accept guest posts and reach out to them. A lot of bloggers love guest bloggers 😁🌟

  
  

• Email Marketing: We've mentioned this earlier but we can't stress enough what a great email marketing campaign can do for your storybook.

A final top tip - Create a series!

A clever and pleasing way to advertise your next storybook, is in the back of your other storybooks! Be one step ahead and create a short ad for the next book in the series or the previous ones - let your 'already-fans' know that you've got more works available for them to enjoy!

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The children's book niche can be highly competitive so promoting your storybook effectively when on a budget is an absolute must.

By creatively using free online resources, engaging with local communities, and working on the relationship with your audience, you can successfully promote your work without emptying the bank.

Remember to be patient and persistent. The aim of the game is compound interest, and with each new book you add to your library, you'll find more and more kids that love your work.

If you need any support or have any questions, feel free to reach out 😁🌟