Children's Book Marketing Made Easy

In this episode of Children's Book Marketing Made Easy, Harleigh shares seven mistakes she made while building her self-published children's book business and what she would do differently if she had to start all over again. After nearly five years of publishing children's books through Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, and beyond, she's learned some valuable lessons about what actually works when it comes to publishing, marketing, and selling children's books.From spending hundreds of dollars on Amazon ads that barely generated sales to trying to market her books on too many platforms at once, Harleigh breaks down the mistakes that cost her time, money, and frustration. She also shares practical advice on researching your book's topic, preparing for launch, building an email list, and creating a sustainable marketing strategy that can help you grow your children's book publishing business without burning yourself out.What You’ll Learn The 7 biggest mistakes Harleigh made when she started self-publishing children's books The importance of having a book marketing strategy instead of relying entirely on Amazon  How to start marketing your children's book before its official launch  Why optimizing your Amazon listing should come before investing in advertisingWatch the Original YouTube VideoIf you prefer a visual walkthrough, you can watch the original video here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDQVbtuH8t4LINKS & RESOURCES:🚀 Get Publisher Rocket to Rank on Amazon: https://publisherrocket.cartknox.com/buy-rocket?aff=471Free Ebook Launch Strategy for Amazon KDP Children’s Books: https://youtu.be/12PoN9nrWE8?si=Pfh8Hu_W-sUFgSjtCreate a Book Launch Team for Your Children’s Book Launch: https://youtu.be/t4_Mn0BYJmk?si=wsQOe_G_rYVhtgo7Grow Your Email List to 100 Subscribers: https://youtu.be/tT_mRJruyg4?si=xpwSxMErag5PawjAWork With Me + ResourcesBook a 1:1 Coaching Call with Me:[60 Minute Zoom Call][40 Minute Zoom Call]Join My Signature Membership Program to Publish, Launch, and SCALE Your Children's Book Publishing Business:Author Growth RoadmapGet Free Traffic + Book Sales:Free Traffic Formula Mini CourseFree Resources for Children's Book AuthorsChildren's Book Marketing GuideInstagram Content PlannerBook Launch Team Checklist + Email TemplatesFree Publish a Children's Book on Amazon KDP CourseFree Children's Book Formatting CourseConnectIf you found this episode helpful, consider following the podcast, leaving a review, and sharing it with another children’s book author!

In this episode of Children's Book Marketing Made Easy, Harleigh sits down with fellow children's book author and podcast host JoAnn Dickinson, host of Beyond the Book with JoAnn Dickinson, to discuss how self-published children's book authors can build a recognizable brand, market their books more effectively, and create additional opportunities to increase sales. Drawing from their years of experience in children's book publishing, Harleigh and Joanne share practical strategies for growing an author brand, creating engaging social media content, and selling books both online and in person.From creating profitable book bundles on Shopify to using free Meta Business Suite automations, Harleigh shares some of the strategies she's personally used to grow her children's book publishing business without relying on paid advertising. They also discuss book launch mistakes, Amazon reviews, email marketing, podcasting, and how to choose the right social media platforms without feeling like you need to be everywhere at once.What You’ll LearnWhy building a recognizable children's book author brand can help you sell more books How to maintain consistent branding across your books, website, and social media platforms Why selling directly through Shopify gives authors more control over pricing, promotions, and customer relationships Why consistently talking about your children's books is essential for generating sales Links MentionedBeyond the Book with JoAnn Dickinson: [Podcast Link] | [YouTube Channel Link]Previous Interview With JoAnn Dickinson: https://youtu.be/9iP6sNajMGY?si=MdxaVDIB8wubgvEFShopify: Create your own online bookstore, sell book bundles, and manage promotions. https://www.shopify.com/Meta Business Suite: Free Facebook and Instagram business tools and automations. https://business.facebook.com/Facebook Comment-to-Message Automation Tutorial: https://youtu.be/zt-RqOp6HEA?si=D8ISUHJakRsKDWcgDoppy Children's Books & Merchandise: https://www.doppys.com/Watch the Original YouTube VideoIf you prefer a visual walkthrough, you can watch the original video here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mp7MF6Fko8Q&tWork With Me + ResourcesBook a 1:1 Coaching Call with Me:[60 Minute Zoom Call][40 Minute Zoom Call]Join My Signature Membership Program to Publish, Launch, and SCALE Your Children's Book Publishing Business:Author Growth RoadmapGet Free Traffic + Book Sales:Free Traffic Formula Mini CourseFree Resources for Children's Book AuthorsChildren's Book Marketing GuideInstagram Content PlannerBook Launch Team Checklist + Email TemplatesFree Publish a Children's Book on Amazon KDP CourseFree Children's Book Formatting CourseConnectIf you found this episode helpful, consider following the podcast, leaving a review, and sharing it with another children’s book author!

In this episode of Children's Book Marketing Made Easy, Harleigh shares three simple strategies to help self-published children's book authors increase their Amazon KDP book sales without spending money on advertising. If your children's book isn't getting the sales you hoped for, the problem might not be your book itself. It might be that not enough people are seeing it! Harleigh explains how increasing your book's visibility through free, organic marketing strategies can help you reach more potential readers without going viral or constantly posting on social media.Drawing from her own experience growing a full-time children's book publishing business, Harleigh breaks down how to use Instagram Stories, email newsletters, and her Free Traffic Formula to consistently promote your children's books. She also explains how free coloring pages and activity printables can help you grow your email list, automate your book marketing, and create a sustainable system that continues working long after you've set it up.What You’ll LearnWhy you don't necessarily need Amazon ads to sell more children's booksHow increasing your book's visibility can help improve your Amazon KDP salesWhy you don't need to go viral or post constantly on social media to market your booksHow to create a long-term organic marketing system without relying on paid advertisingWatch the Original YouTube VideoIf you prefer a visual walkthrough, you can watch the original video here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nij-2oCNfPIWork With Me + ResourcesBook a 1:1 Coaching Call with Me:[60 Minute Zoom Call][40 Minute Zoom Call]Join My Signature Membership Program to Publish, Launch, and SCALE Your Children's Book Publishing Business:Author Growth RoadmapGet Free Traffic + Book Sales:Free Traffic Formula Mini Course (Use the Code YOUTUBE20 for 20% Off)Free Resources for Children's Book AuthorsChildren's Book Marketing GuideInstagram Content PlannerBook Launch Team Checklist + Email TemplatesFree Publish a Children's Book on Amazon KDP CourseFree Children's Book Formatting CourseConnectIf you found this episode helpful, consider following the podcast, leaving a review, and sharing it with another children’s book author!

In this episode of Children's Book Marketing Made Easy, Harleigh breaks down what to do if you've published a children's book on Amazon KDP but aren't getting the sales you hoped for. One of the biggest mistakes new children's book authors make is assuming Amazon will automatically market their books for them. Harleigh explains why struggling with book sales is often a visibility problem and how consistently getting your book in front of potential readers can help you start generating sales without relying on paid advertising.Drawing from her own experience growing her children's book publishing business, Harleigh shares the simple weekly marketing routine she used when she was first starting out. From posting on social media and sending email newsletters to pitching local bookstores and attending in-person events, she walks through four sustainable marketing strategies that helped her increase her book's visibility, generate sales, and eventually turn children's book publishing into her full-time career.What You’ll LearnWhy your Amazon KDP children's book might not be generating salesWhy publishing your children's book on Amazon doesn't automatically mean people will discover itHow to promote your children's book without showing your face or creating complicated video Why consistently talking about your children's book is essential for generating salesWatch the Original YouTube VideoIf you prefer a visual walkthrough, you can watch the original video here:https://youtu.be/-aN7c5QlOnw?si=8yj6i7ZkhCP68PDIVideos + Links Mentioned- How to Market a Children’s Book on Instagram: https://youtu.be/jTvi2LIBLCw?si=WhgunaNQjXcmk52J- Get Your Amazon KDP Children’s Books Ready for Wholesale (And Sell More Books): https://youtu.be/HftJC7XFrko?si=Cxaa6Kw4PzP-AXdy- How to Get Your First 100 Email Subscribers as a Children’s Book Author: https://youtu.be/tT_mRJruyg4?si=PCL00rLtTWTtdIzBWork With Me + ResourcesBook a 1:1 Coaching Call with Me:[60 Minute Zoom Call][40 Minute Zoom Call]Join My Signature Membership Program to Publish, Launch, and SCALE Your Children's Book Publishing Business:Author Growth RoadmapGet Free Traffic + Book Sales:Free Traffic Formula Mini CourseFree Resources for Children's Book AuthorsChildren's Book Marketing GuideInstagram Content PlannerBook Launch Team Checklist + Email TemplatesFree Publish a Children's Book on Amazon KDP CourseFree Children's Book Formatting CourseConnectIf you found this episode helpful, consider following the podcast, leaving a review, and sharing it with another children’s book author!

In this episode of Children's Book Marketing Made Easy, Harleigh shares how to write a children's book that not only tells a meaningful story but also has the potential to sell. Drawing from her own experience publishing Doppy and the Runaway Balloons, Doppy Saves the Bees!, and Doppy Saves the Turtles!, she explains why choosing the right topic and understanding what parents, teachers, and grandparents are looking for can make a big difference in your book's success.Harleigh breaks down how to research bestselling children's book topics, validate your ideas using Amazon and Publisher Rocket, and create age-appropriate stories that children actually enjoy reading. She also explains why professional editing, beta readers, and a clear story structure are important before moving into the publishing and marketing process.What You’ll LearnWhy writing a great children's book doesn't automatically mean it will sellHow to choose a children's book topic that is relevant and marketableHow to research bestselling children's books on Amazon to identify potential topics How to prepare your manuscript for the next steps of formatting, publishing, and launchingWatch the Original YouTube VideoIf you prefer a visual walkthrough, you can watch the original video here:https://youtu.be/GKFfpCEY0bM?si=IQbWGFxdL7JtP7b7Work With Me + ResourcesBook a 1:1 Coaching Call with Me:[60 Minute Zoom Call][40 Minute Zoom Call]Join My Signature Membership Program to Publish, Launch, and SCALE Your Children's Book Publishing Business:Author Growth RoadmapGet Free Traffic + Book Sales:Free Traffic Formula Mini CourseGet Publisher Rocket:https://publisherrocket.cartknox.com/buy-rocket?aff=471Free Resources for Children's Book AuthorsChildren's Book Marketing GuideInstagram Content PlannerBook Launch Team Checklist + Email TemplatesFree Publish a Children's Book on Amazon KDP CourseFree Children's Book Formatting CourseConnectIf you found this episode helpful, consider following the podcast, leaving a review, and sharing it with another children’s book author!

In this episode of Children’s Book Marketing Made Easy, Harleigh sits down with her VIP coaching client and debut children's book author Meeshy  Mac to break down the pre-launch strategy behind her first book, Pretend You're a Puppy. Before the book even officially launched, Meeshy shares how her Sponsor a Story campaign, pre-orders, Shopify website, launch team, and consistent social media strategy worked together to build momentum before launch. She also gets into her decision to manufacture a board book instead of using Amazon KDP, her experience going viral on social media, and what she's doing to keep that momentum going into launch day.What You’ll LearnHow Meeshy generated 200+ sales before her first children's book officially launchedWhy Shopify is the primary sales platform for Pretend You're a PuppyHow she exceeded her goal of 100 sponsored books in the first week Why she's choosing NOT to run a major discount or free promotion during this launchWatch the Original YouTube VideoIf you prefer a visual walkthrough, you can watch the original video here:https://youtu.be/PzBucGT8yE0?si=WUZ87iRvvFTkdoEGWork With Me + Resources🌟 Become a VIP Member for the Same Price as a 60-Minute Coaching Call and Get Instant Access to Author Growth Roadmap: https://www.skool.com/author-growth-academy/plansBook a 1:1 Coaching Call with Me:[60 Minute Zoom Call][40 Minute Zoom Call]Join My Signature Membership Program to Publish, Launch, and SCALE Your Children's Book Publishing Business:Author Growth RoadmapGet Free Traffic + Book Sales:Free Traffic Formula Mini CourseFree Resources for Children's Book AuthorsChildren's Book Marketing GuideInstagram Content PlannerBook Launch Team Checklist + Email TemplatesFree Publish a Children's Book on Amazon KDP CourseFree Children's Book Formatting CourseLinks & Resources Mentioned:🚀 Become a VIP Coaching Client: https://www.skool.com/author-growth-academy/plans🐶 Check out Meeshy Mac & Pretend You’re a Puppy:Website: https://meeshymac.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authormeeshymac/📚 My Board Book Manufacturing Videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxiVKW6bfkI&list=PLVasjHuqQLsZi6pLFbEaPkqnreak0XIG2🔗 Goodreads Author Profile Help: https://www.goodreads.com/author/programConnectIf you found this episode helpful, consider following the podcast, leaving a review, and sharing it with another children’s book author!

In this episode of Children’s Book Marketing Made Easy, Harleigh shares how you can take ONE Amazon KDP children's book and turn it into five different income streams instead of relying solely on your Amazon royalties. From maximizing your book formats and selling directly to creating wholesale opportunities, merchandise, and eventually monetizing your expertise, there are more ways to make money from your book than you might realize. Harleigh breaks down the income streams she has personally used to grow her children's book business and shares practical ways you can start small and build additional revenue around the book you've already created.What You’ll Learn How to maximize the income potential of your Amazon KDP Children's Book listing How IngramSpark can expand your book formats and wholesale distribution How KDP Select and Kindle Unlimited can create another source of book royalties Why you don't need an entire children's book series to start building multiple streams of income Watch the Original YouTube VideoIf you prefer a visual walkthrough, you can watch the original video here:https://youtu.be/do1CQPvWDa8?si=oVIV7wVKEhgx9ku3Work With Me + ResourcesBook a 1:1 Coaching Call with Me:[60 Minute Zoom Call][40 Minute Zoom Call]Join My Signature Membership Program to Publish, Launch, and SCALE Your Children's Book Publishing Business:Author Growth RoadmapGet Free Traffic + Book Sales:Free Traffic Formula Mini CourseCustom Children's Book Activity Books Learn more about having Harleigh create a custom, non-AI activity book based on your children's book: https://harleigh-manske.kit.com/232f96b89aLinks MentionedIngramSpark: Print-on-demand and wholesale distribution for authors: https://www.ingramspark.com/Faire: The wholesale platform Harleigh uses for her offset-printed books and merchandise: https://www.faire.com/Shopify: Harleigh uses Shopify for her author website, online orders, in-person sales, and Faire integration. https://shopify.pxf.io/c/5843335/1499948/13624In-Person Children's Book Selling Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKh7Ols2TsY&list=PLVasjHuqQLsa7R4UKqfZrFm00jeyYpgyKChildren's Book Wholesale Training / VideosWholesale with Print on Demand: https://youtu.be/HftJC7XFrko?si=zL0mM5HV3pPt3b9rWholesale with Inventory: https://youtu.be/fvlsCH3UMo0?si=B4KS8TCo6Tbaez-sChildren's Book Product Manufacturing Videos Videos on creating products like plushies, stickers, enamel pins, and other merchandise: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxiVKW6bfkI&list=PLVasjHuqQLsZi6pLFbEaPkqnreak0XIG2Free Resources for Children's Book AuthorsChildren's Book Marketing GuideInstagram Content PlannerBook Launch Team Checklist + Email TemplatesFree Publish a Children's Book on Amazon KDP CourseFree Children's Book Formatting CourseConnectIf you found this episode helpful, consider following the podcast, leaving a review, and sharing it with another children’s book author!

In this episode of Children’s Book Marketing Made Easy, Harleigh answers one of the questions she gets asked all the time: How much money can you actually make as a self-published children's book author? She breaks down realistic numbers from her own business and explains why relying on Amazon KDP royalties alone can limit your earning potential. Harleigh shares how she increases her income through direct book sales, in-person events, wholesale, and children's book merchandise—and why treating your books like an actual publishing business can create more opportunities for long-term, recurring revenue. What You’ll Learn How much money you can realistically make as a self-published children's book author  Different ways to sell children's books beyond Amazon KDP Why selling books directly can dramatically increase your profit per copy Why building meaningful income from children's books takes time, consistency, and a long-term strategyWatch the Original YouTube VideoIf you prefer a visual walkthrough, you can watch the original video here:https://youtu.be/AnvxmWIaGBE?si=hWlKbVTMx4IhghpaLinks Mentioned:How I Made $300 Selling Children's Books in 3 Hours See the in-person sales strategy Harleigh references in this episode.https://authorharleighrose.com/episodes/23-300-in-childrens-book-sales-in-3-hours-heres-how-i-did-itHow I Created Custom Plushies for My Children's Book Brandhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjfE0yQXs-AWork With Me + ResourcesBook a 1:1 Coaching Call with Me:[60 Minute Zoom Call][40 Minute Zoom Call]Join My Signature Membership Program to Publish, Launch, and SCALE Your Children's Book Publishing Business:Author Growth RoadmapGet Free Traffic + Book Sales:Free Traffic Formula Mini CourseFree Resources for Children's Book AuthorsChildren's Book Marketing GuideInstagram Content PlannerBook Launch Team Checklist + Email TemplatesFree Publish a Children's Book on Amazon KDP CourseFree Children's Book Formatting CourseConnectIf you found this episode helpful, consider following the podcast, leaving a review, and sharing it with another children’s book author!

In this episode of Children’s Book Marketing Made Easy, Harleigh shares a behind-the-scenes look at how she turned a childhood creative passion into a successful children's book business. In this special interview episode, she talks about where Doppy came from, how becoming a mom inspired her to revisit her dream of becoming a children's book author and illustrator, and what it took to turn that dream into a full-time career. Harleigh also gets into the parts of self-publishing that go far beyond writing and illustrating, from learning digital illustration and refining her books through multiple drafts to marketing, selling at in-person events, running a publishing business, and learning the business side of being an independent author. She also shares one of the biggest marketing lessons she wishes she'd known before publishing her first book: start talking about and marketing your book before you hit publish. This episode is an inside look at what building a children's book business actually looks like, including the learning curves, fears, imposter syndrome, and years of small steps behind the finished books you eventually see. Watch the Original YouTube VideoIf you prefer a visual walkthrough, you can watch the original video here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy_E72s7cZUWork With Me + ResourcesBook a 1:1 Coaching Call with Me:[60 Minute Zoom Call][40 Minute Zoom Call]Join My Signature Membership Program to Publish, Launch, and SCALE Your Children's Book Publishing Business:Author Growth RoadmapGet Free Traffic + Book Sales:Free Traffic Formula Mini CourseFree Resources for Children's Book AuthorsChildren's Book Marketing GuideInstagram Content PlannerBook Launch Team Checklist + Email TemplatesFree Publish a Children's Book on Amazon KDP CourseFree Children's Book Formatting CourseConnectIf you found this episode helpful, consider following the podcast, leaving it a review, and sharing it with another children’s book author.

In this episode of Children’s Book Marketing Made Easy, Harleigh shares five ways to successfully market your Amazon KDP children's book as an introvert, without constantly showing your face, posting on social media every day, making phone calls, or putting yourself into situations that feel completely outside of your comfort zone. From optimizing your Amazon listing so your book can be discovered organically to building a website and email list that you actually own, Harleigh breaks down marketing strategies that can continue working behind the scenes. She also shares how reaching out to children's book influencers, read-aloud YouTube channels, bookstores, libraries, schools, and other local organizations can get your book in front of new audiences, even if you'd much rather send an email than pitch yourself in person.   You don't have to become an extrovert to successfully market your children's book. You can do these strategies from home and use them to consistently get your books in front of more potential readers.What You’ll Learn 5 children's book marketing strategies that are perfect for introverts Why every self-published children's book author should have their own website How to pitch bookstores, libraries, schools, gift shops, and other organizations entirely through email How to market your books through email without showing your faceWatch the Original YouTube VideoIf you prefer a visual walkthrough, you can watch the original video here:https://youtu.be/Fe1jqwKU6uQ?si=bPT0x5l4ZAyf2DY6Work With Me + ResourcesBook a 1:1 Coaching Call with Me:[60 Minute Zoom Call][40 Minute Zoom Call]Join My Signature Membership Program to Publish, Launch, and SCALE Your Children's Book Publishing Business:Author Growth RoadmapGet Free Traffic + Book Sales:Free Traffic Formula Mini CourseLinks Mentioned:Publisher Rocket (Find the Best Amazon KDP Keywords + Categories)How to Find the Best Amazon KDP Categories + Keywords (Video)How to Create a FREE Author Website Using Canva (Video Playlist)How to Build an Email List as a Children's Book Author (Video)Do You Need an ISBN for Your Children's Book? (Video)Free Resources for Children's Book AuthorsChildren's Book Marketing GuideInstagram Content PlannerBook Launch Team Checklist + Email TemplatesFree Publish a Children's Book on Amazon KDP CourseFree Children's Book Formatting CourseConnectIf you found this episode helpful, consider following the podcast, leaving a review, and sharing it with another children’s book author.