Bedtime Story to Bestseller: How to Sell Your Children’s Book

From Bedtime Story to Bestseller: Selling Your Children's Book

Are you a children’s book author struggling to make sales? Are you tired of reading your masterpiece to your cat alone? Fear not! Here are some tips on how to get your book from collecting dust to flying off the shelves.

Know Your Audience

Before you start writing, ask yourself: who are you writing for? Are you targeting toddlers or middle-grade readers? The tone, style, and vocabulary of your book should align with your target audience.

For example, if your book is for younger children, you’ll want to use simpler language and shorter sentences. If your book is for older children, you can incorporate more complex ideas and vocabulary. According to a study by BookScan, children’s books for ages 0-5 and 6-8 are the best-selling categories in the US.

Make Your Cover Stand Out

We’ve all been taught not to judge a book by its cover, but the reality is, people do. Your cover is the first thing that potential readers will see, so it needs to be eye-catching and memorable.

Consider using bright colors, bold fonts, and unique illustrations to make your cover stand out. According to a survey by the Book Marketing Society, 40% of people say that the cover is the most important factor when it comes to buying a book.

Leverage Social Media

Social media is a powerful tool when it comes to promoting your book. Platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok allow you to connect with potential readers, build a following, and showcase your book.

Consider creating a social media strategy for your book launch. You can create buzz by sharing teasers, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and even hosting giveaways. According to a survey by Nielsen, 45% of people discover new books through social media.

Get Reviews

Reviews are a critical component of book sales. They provide social proof, build credibility, and help your book stand out in a crowded market.

Reach out to bloggers, book reviewers, and other influencers in your niche to request a review of your book. You can also offer a free copy in exchange for an honest review on Amazon or Goodreads.

According to a survey by BrightLocal, 85% of people trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations.

Attend Events

Finally, attending book events can be a great way to promote your book and connect with potential readers. Consider attending book fairs, literary festivals, and other events in your area.

You can also host your own events, like book signings or readings, to engage with your audience and build a following. According to a survey by BookCon, 75% of book event attendees say that they attend to discover new books and authors.

In conclusion, writing a children’s book is no easy feat, but with these tips, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a best-selling author. Remember, know your audience, make your cover stand out, leverage social media, get reviews, and attend events. Now go forth and write the next bedtime classic!

Top 5 Search & Find Books (Best Books like Where’s Waldo!)

Search & Find are terrific options for kids starting at the age of 3 all the way into their teenage years. For younger children (3 to 5 years old), they provide a great way to build concentration and develop a sense of focus and attention to detail. These are valuable traits for toddlers who are essentially learning how to learn. Focus and concentration can help them learn other things more effectively. They also help build memory, as you’ll find your children eventually surprising you by remembering the locations of characters. And if all that’s not enough, these books are great fun where you can participate and engage with your child. So without further ado, here’s our list of the top 5 Search & Find Books out there, otherwise known as the Best Books like Where’s Waldo!

1. Where’s Waldo – Deluxe Edition

The ultimate classic when it comes to Search & Find books is the original Where’s Waldo. This Deluxe Edition celebrates the first edition with some added fun, including a free poster on the underside of the jacket, a spot-the-difference game between the jacket and self-cover designs, and some new items to search for in the pages. There are scenes for everyone, and enough secrets to keep coming back again and again.

Get “Where’s Waldo – Deluxe Edition” on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2qGoVQN

2. Star Wars – Where’s the Wookie

This is my personal favorite, but then again I love all things Star Wars, so I’m certainly a bit biased. In the 1st volume of “Where’s the Wookie”, you’ll travel across different lands in the Star Wars galaxy to spot Han Solo’s best pal, Chewbacca. You can find all sorts of other characters, such as bounty hunters, Luke, Leia, Han, and of course, Darth Vader. It’s a load of fun and was the book I used to introduce my daughters to Star Wars!

Where's the Wookie
Get “Where’s the Wookie” on Amazon: https://amzn.to/37C6ixX

3. Where’s Waldo? In Hollywood

This is one of the most fun editions of Where’s Waldo. In this one, you get to follow him and his band of buddies through a variety of Hollywood sets. The scenes are hilarious and as detailed as ever. Adults will have a lot of fun looking through the landscape as kids sharpen their concentration looking for Waldo.

Where's Waldo? In Hollywood
Get “Where’s Waldo? In Hollywood” here: https://amzn.to/2L24Pay

4. Where’s the Unicorn?

So I have two daughters, and of course – they love unicorns. But really, what’s not to love? They’re colorful magical creatures that do nothing but smile, jump, play and, in this particular case, hide inside beautifully drawn landscapes full of fun. There are 7 to find in each scene – Leaf, Ruby, Snowflake, Blossom, Luna, Stardust, and Amethyst. That means you won’t quickly run out of playful unicorns to look for.

Where's the Unicorn
Get “Where’s the Unicorn” here: https://amzn.to/2OrUcj6

Bonus! My daughter Luna loved this book so much we did a “Read Aloud” together. Watch the video here:

5. Where’s Waldo? The Spectacular Spotlight Search

There are so many Where’s Waldo books to pick from it can seem difficult to figure out where to start. As you’ve seen above, my recommendation would be to start with the original and the Hollywood versions. For a twist however, the “Spectacular Spotlight Search” edition does a wonderful job of bringing new elements of fun. Armed with a spotlight you can move around, you’ll navigate each page like a true detective to find Waldo and. And as usual, other fun elements are hidden throughout each scene.

Where's Waldo? The Spectacular Spotlight Search
Get “Where’s Waldo? The Spectacular Spotlight Search” here: https://amzn.to/35CUedP

Hope you liked this list! Let me know in the comments which other Search & Find books you’ve loved and had fun with as kids & adults, and which ones you’ve found to be great for your children.