You’ve decided to self-publish your children’s book. Now what? Once your children’s book has been written, make sure you’re following industry standards, then separate yourself from the crowd with a great marketing campaign.

Here are some self-publishing and marketing tips to follow as you begin your journey:

Following children’s book industry standards

·      Children’s book sizing: Standard sizes for children’s books include 8.5 x 11,

 10 x 10, 7 x 7, and 7 x 9

·      Page count: Children’s books typically contain 32 pages

·      Intriguing illustrations: Research popular illustration styles for children’s books and decide what works best for your content. There is a myriad of resources to help you find a freelance illustrator like online freelance platforms, self-publishing groups, and more.

·      Activities/Add-ons/Toys: If you have the budget or want to expand your character’s journey in the future, creating add-on companions to your children’s book, like activity books, coloring books, or toys (plush toys are currently popular), may be something you want to consider that will help your book stand out.

Learn more about standard children’s book sizing and layout

Marketing your children’s book

·      Local Libraries: Reach out to your local library to see if you can organize a book reading at their location. Most local public libraries frequently hold kid’s reading hours. After the reading you can either provide information on where people can purchase the book, or you can bring copies to sell at the event. This is a great way to connect with a local audience and build word-of-mouth buzz.

·      Social media & Website: Your web presence is important when it comes to promoting your book. However, your target audience on your social media and website will be different. You want to create content centered around your book, but make sure your copy speaks to why parents would want to buy your book. What is your teaching? What is your message?

·      YouTube: Since kids do not have their own social media pages, YouTube is a solid option for creating promotional material for your book that kids might actually see. Since you can generate content on YouTube and manually select that your content is for children, the algorithm can help do the work for you.

·      Networking: Connect with other children’s book authors on social media, self-publishing groups, TikTok, and more. You will be surprised to find a supportive online community with a shared goal of encouraging educations and literacy through children’s books. Don’t be shy to ask for advice from fellow authors!

Lastly, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) is a great resource to utilize if you’re new to self-publishing a children’s book. If you join SCBWI, some member benefits include:

·      promotional opportunities

·      networking

·      awards and grants

·      publishing resources

We’re here to help

Once you feel confident that you’re ready to self-publish your children’s book, consider partnering with 48 Hour Books! We offer bookstore-quality children’s book printing, self-publishing resources, and a helpful team of experts here to support you through the whole process. Contact us today to get started!