There’s only one Dr. Seuss or Beverly Cleary. Most people can only name a few famous children’s authors. However, success doesn’t have to mean being famous; otherwise, almost no one could make money writing children’s books. When you think like a publisher and learn how to promote your books, you can make a living off of being a children’s author. There is no guarantee of success, but you can improve your chances by working smart.
Write a Series
Regarding successful writing, quantity can be just as important as quality. Writing a series can leave kids wanting more, increasing your chances of success. You can write a lengthier, more in-depth story with a book series. You don’t have to write a single story with a series, either—think Goosebumps or Magic Tree House—you can write individual stories under the same series umbrella. A series has a better chance of becoming popular and reaching more audiences than a single story, as you’ll have multiple books circulating.
Utilize a Publisher
Publishers know how to promote and sell books to various audiences. While selling your book to the right publisher can be challenging, you get a lot of reach and marketing with perseverance. Even if you can’t land a publishing deal, you can self-publish and think like a publisher. Negotiate book deals, hire an agent, sell in bulk, and don’t accept no-advance ‘deals.’ Think of large-scale success to boost your sales numbers.
Learn Marketing Skills
Book marketing and promotion isn’t as easy as it sounds. You must learn to find your target audience, schedule book tours and readings, digitally advertise, manage social media, and more. You can hire help with this, but you’ll want to learn how to get your book circulating to your intended audiences (parents, schools, colleges, teachers, book fairs, and libraries, mainly).
Get Help
It’s very rare when a book becomes an author’s overnight success without help. You will want to find children’s book editors to ensure the writing and message are high quality. Source some skilled illustrators with a captivating art style. Find a literary agent to vet your book for publishers and other large-scale buyers. Hire marketing experts to promote the book on your own. Hire self-publishing services. There are many aspects to writing and selling a book; don’t try to do everything yourself, as the quality of your book and marketing campaign can drop.
Make Your Writing Accessible
You’re more likely to sell books in multiple formats, as everyone has different preferences for reading, including children! Consider distributing your books in various formats, including softcover, hardcover, e-book, and audiobook. You can even include large-print formats and write with a universally legible font. If you use on-demand printing, you don’t have to pay for multiple formats upfront—you can pay for supplies to manufacture and print as needed.
Sell Everywhere
Your writing shouldn’t just be accessible format-wise but also location-wise. You shouldn’t make exclusive deals for one retailer or buyer (unless the agreement is outstanding). You want your book to be available for any shopper anywhere, from online to in-store. You will likely reach additional audiences if your books are on more shelves.
Obtain Reviews
You can send your book to be reviewed by prestigious critics, fellow authors, and other authoritative figures in the children’s book industry. Don’t be discouraged by receiving a negative review; you can always learn from criticism. However, you can use any good reviews to include on your book’s cover or marketing campaign!
Start Networking
Being a children’s author can be intimidating and isolating, especially if you self-publish. Reach out and start networking with other authors, big and small. Join author groups, writing conferences, and book conventions to promote your book and establish some professional friendships. You never know when a fellow author can help secure an opportunity for you. You may also find a co-author for a book someday!
School Visits
Visiting a school to promote your book can be a solid option, especially with local schools. It’s a solid part of a marketing plan. You can also read to children and see how your writing resonates with your intended audience. While it won’t provide long-term, massive success, you can make time for some school visits, especially when starting.
Practice Your Skills
You can’t grow as a writer without practicing and learning new skills. Learn from constructive criticism and harness it for your future books. Follow advice from fellow authors and writers. Learn writing industry trends. Keep up with your audience’s interests. Consider taking additional writing classes or tutoring. Practice makes perfect, after all!
Conclusion
It can be challenging to earn a full-time income as an author, particularly as a children’s author. You’ll need to know how to publish, promote, and sell your book. You should consider hiring a team to help you, like an editor, marketer, literary agent, and publisher. You can also self-publish, but you’ll need to harness marketing and promotional skills like large publishers. Consider writing a series to expand your book’s publicity and reach.