Social media is an indispensable tool for a children's book author
In today’s digital age, social media has become an indispensable tool for authors and illustrators looking to build interest, following or fanbase for their children’s books.
Whether you're an established writer or illustrator, or just starting out, leveraging social media platforms can significantly boost your visibility, engage with readers, and create a loyal community around your work. I have come late to social media - although having had a X (Twitter) account since 2010 - I have sent 116 posts - which works out at 8 or 9 posts a year - I wouldn't advise following this as an example and hard work needs to be done! X has of course become more complex since Elon Musk took over - many authors and artists have started to look at alternatives.
Here’s how you can effectively use social media to build a fanbase for your children’s books.
First, let's get the short answer before hitting the details.
To build a fanbase for your children's books on social media, choose the right platforms, create engaging content, interact with your audience, collaborate with influencers, and use paid advertising. Regularly analyse performance to refine your strategy and boost engagement.
So with the takeaway in place let's start by exploring some of the types of social media that might be best for your children’s book.
Choosing the Right Platforms
First things first, not all social media platforms are created equal.
Each platform has its unique audience and strengths, so it’s crucial to choose the ones that align with your goals.
Instagram is a visual platform, perfect for showcasing beautiful illustrations in your children’s books.
It’s also a great place to share behind-the-scenes content, such as your writing process, book launches, and events.
According to a 2023 survey by Ofcom, Instagram is the most popular social media platform among younger audiences in the UK, making it an ideal choice for children’s book authors.
Facebook remains a powerful tool for building a community.
With its diverse user base, Facebook allows you to create an author page, join groups related to children’s literature, and run targeted ads.
You can also host live readings and Q&A sessions to interact directly with your audience.
X (Formerly Twitter)
Everyone still calls this X - Twitter, it was excellent for engaging in conversations with readers, other authors, and influencers.
It’s also a platform for sharing news about your books, participating in book-related hashtags, and joining Twitter chats focused on children’s books - the problem is that the app doesn't appear to have had anything done in the way of innovation for some time.
YouTube
YouTube can be a fantastic platform for creating content that goes beyond your books.
Think about posting storytelling sessions, book trailers, or educational content related to your stories.
The Office for National Statistics tells us that YouTube is the most used online platform in the UK, with 89% of internet users aged 16 to 24 accessing it.
TikTok
TikTok has taken the world by storm, and its influence extends to the literary world with trends like #BookTok.
Creating short, engaging videos about your books can capture the attention of a younger audience and go viral quickly.
Crafting Your Social Media Strategy
Now that you’ve chosen your platforms, it’s time to develop a strategy. Here are some steps to guide you:
1. Define Your Brand
Your brand is more than just your books; it’s your voice, style, and personality as an author or illustrator.
Consistency is key, so ensure your profile pictures, bios, and content align with your brand.
Are you whimsical and fun, or educational and serious? Let your brand shine through every post.
2. Create Engaging Content
Content is king, and it needs to be engaging to attract and retain followers. Here are some content ideas:
Illustrations and Preparatory Artwork: Share the beautiful illustrations from your books. Highlight character designs, settings, and cover art to captivate your audience visually.
Behind-the-scenes: Give your followers a look into your writing or work in process. Share photos of your workspace, notes, and drafts to make your fans feel involved.
Storytelling Videos: Post videos of you reading your books aloud. Not only does this showcase your work, but it also provides free entertainment for parents and children.
Interactive Content: Create polls, quizzes, and questions to engage your audience. Ask for their input on character names or story ideas.
User-Generated Content: Encourage your readers to share photos or videos of them with your book. Reposting this content not only shows appreciation but also builds a sense of community.
3. Schedule Regular Posts
Consistency is crucial on social media.
Use scheduling tools like Hootsuite or Buffer to plan and automate your posts. This ensures you remain active even when you’re busy writing.
4. Engage with Your Audience
Social media is not a one-way street. Engage with your followers by responding to comments, messages, and mentions.
Host live sessions where you can answer questions and interact in real-timee.
A 2023 Digital Report by We Are Social says engagement rates are higher for posts that involve interactive content.
5. Collaborate with Influencers
Influencer marketing is a powerful way to reach a larger audience. Collaborate with influencers who align with your brand and have a significant following among parents and children.
This could involve book reviews, giveaways, or joint live sessions.
Real-Life Examples
Julia Donaldson
Julia Donaldson, the celebrated author of "The Gruffalo," uses her social media platforms effectively to engage with her audience.
Her Instagram is filled with illustrations, photos from events, and behind-the-scenes content. She also frequently posts videos of herself reading her books, which resonates well with children and parents alike.
David Walliams
David Walliams, a well-known UK author and comedian, has a substantial social media presence.
He uses Twitter and Instagram to announce new books, share humorous content, and interact with his readers. His use of playful language and engaging visuals keeps his audience entertained and coming back for more.
Cressida Cowell
Cressida Cowell, author of the "How to Train Your Dragon" series, uses YouTube to reach her audience.
She posts storytelling sessions, writing tips, and drawing tutorials, providing valuable content that engages both children and aspiring writers.
Leveraging Paid Advertising
While organic reach is essential, don’t underestimate the power of paid advertising.
Social media platforms offer robust advertising tools that allow you to target specific demographics, ensuring your books reach the right audience.
Facebook and Instagram Ads
These platforms allow you to create highly targeted ads based on interests, age, location, and more.
You can run ads to promote book launches, and special offers, or even boost specific posts to increase their reach.
Twitter Ads
Twitter’s advertising options include promoted tweets, accounts, and trends.
Use these to increase visibility during book launches or special events.
YouTube Ads
YouTube offers several ad formats, including skippable and non-skippable video ads.
Consider creating a compelling book trailer to capture the interest of potential readers.
Measuring Your Success
To understand the effectiveness of your social media efforts, it’s crucial to track and analyse your performance.
Most platforms offer built-in analytics tools that provide insights into your audience, engagement rates, and content performance.
Key Metrics to Track
Engagement Rate: The number of likes, comments, shares, and views your posts receive.
Follower Growth: The rate at which your follower count is increasing.
Reach and Impressions: How many people have seen your content and how many times it has been displayed?
Click-Through Rate (CTR): The percentage of people who click on the links in your posts.
Analysing these metrics will help you understand what’s working and what needs adjustment.
For instance, if storytelling videos receive higher engagement than static posts, you might want to create more video content.
How Can I Use Social Media to Build a Fanbase for My Children's Books?
So as we’ve discovered building a fanbase for your children’s books through social media is both an (dark) art and a science!
It requires creativity, consistency, and strategic planning. By choosing the right platforms, creating engaging content, and interacting with your audience, you can create a loyal community of readers who are excited about your work.
Use it or lose it!
Remember, the key is to be authentic and have fun with the process.
Happy posting!
Different Categories for Children's Books and SEO Optimisation
1. Picture Books
Definition: Books with vibrant illustrations and simple text, designed for young children. They often tell a story or convey information through both pictures and words.
SEO Keywords: Picture books for kids, illustrated children's books, best picture books, children's picture books, toddler picture books, preschool picture books.
2. Board Books
Definition: Durable books made from thick cardboard, intended for infants and toddlers. They often feature simple stories or concepts and are designed to withstand rough. handling.
SEO Keywords: Board books for babies, durable baby books, chew-proof books for toddlers, best board books, baby board books, toddler board books.
3. Early Readers
Definition: Books designed for children who are just beginning to read independently. They feature simple sentences, larger print, and illustrations to aid comprehension.
SEO Keywords: Early reader books, beginner reader books, first books for early readers, easy reader books, leveled reading books for kids, early reading books.
4. Chapter Books
Definition: Books for children who are transitioning from picture books to more complex stories. They typically have fewer illustrations and more text, suitable for children aged 7-10.
SEO Keywords: Chapter books for kids, best chapter books, early chapter books, children's chapter books, chapter books for 7-year-olds, chapter books for 8-year-olds.
5. Middle Grade Books
Definition: Books aimed at readers aged 8-12, featuring more complex plots and character development. These books often tackle themes relevant to pre-teens.
SEO Keywords: Middle grade books, books for pre-teens, best middle grade books, middle grade fiction, middle grade adventure books, middle grade fantasy books.
6. Young Adult (YA) Books
Definition: Books targeting teenagers, often dealing with more mature themes and complex characters. These books explore issues such as identity, relationships, and personal growth.
SEO Keywords: Young adult books, YA fiction, best YA books, young adult fantasy books, YA romance books, books for teenagers.
7. Non-Fiction Books
Definition: Informational books covering a wide range of subjects such as history, science, biography, and more, written for children and young adults.
SEO Keywords: Non-fiction books for kids, children's educational books, kids' science books, children's history books, biography books for kids, best non-fiction for children.
8. Concept Books
Definition: Books that teach basic concepts like colours, shapes, numbers, and the alphabet. These are often aimed at preschool-aged children.
SEO Keywords: Concept books for toddlers, preschool learning books, ABC books for kids, counting books for children, educational concept books, best concept books for toddlers.
9. Interactive Books
Definition: Books which involve the reader in the story through activities such as lifting flaps, pressing buttons, or following visual clues.
SEO Keywords: Interactive books for kids, lift-the-flap books, touch-and-feel books, sound books for toddlers, interactive baby books, best interactive children's books.
10. Bedtime Stories
Definition: Books designed to be read at bedtime, often featuring calming stories and soothing illustrations to help children wind down for sleep.
SEO Keywords: Bedtime stories for kids, children's bedtime books, bedtime books for toddlers, goodnight books, calming bedtime stories, best bedtime books.
11. Fantasy Books
Definition: Books that include magical or supernatural elements, often set in imaginary worlds. These books are popular across various age groups.
SEO Keywords: Children's fantasy books, best fantasy books for kids, magical books for children, fantasy adventure books, middle grade fantasy, YA fantasy books.
12. Adventure Books
Definition: Books that feature exciting journeys, quests, and explorations. They often involve protagonists facing challenges and discovering new places.
SEO Keywords: Adventure books for kids, children's adventure stories, best adventure books, middle grade adventure books, adventure chapter books, YA adventure novels.
13. Classic Children's Books
Definition: Timeless books that have been enjoyed by generations of readers. These often include works by renowned authors and are considered essential reading.
SEO Keywords: Classic children's books, must-read kids' books, timeless children's literature, best classic books for kids, famous children's books, essential children's books.
As an author or artist with limited time, here's how you can break down and maximise one hour per week on Marketing
Stay focused:
Choose one aspect of marketing, e.g., social media, newsletters, or book reviews. Spend a week researching how to market your book on Instagram or how to reach out to book bloggers.
Learn through case studies: Find out how authors or artists in a similar genre to your work have succeeded. If you're writing nonfiction, see what worked for others in the same genre.
Keep your reading focused. It's simple to lose yourself in a never-ending stream of articles. Pick one source for each session to save time.
Action:
Create content: Whether you're draughting a blog post, designing a simple social media post, or reaching out to someone for a review, now is the time to execute it. Keep things manageable so it fits within your one-hour limit.
Document what works: Keep notes on which tactics seem effective. If you tried posting on Twitter, for instance, note the engagement level, so you know what to focus on later.
Repeat & Repeat:
After four weeks or so of working with one strategy, you can refine or change tactics. Perhaps you should shift your focus from social media to interacting with influencers or reviewers.
Content creation or building connections. Since you have limited time, content creation or building connections should probably be your first step.
You can use your research to create a social media calendar, a series of posts, or a newsletter focused on a single platform or outreach method.
The idea is to keep building momentum without burning out, and with one hour a week, staying consistent with your focus will get results over time. In theory, this should work...but theory is different from practice - try it to see - and if it doesn't work have a rethink.
Hashtags for social media for children’s books
Using hashtags on Twitter/X Instagram or Threads can boost the reach and engagement of your posts. Ask yourself if your content types are cohesive and valuable. Do you offer a good mix of entertaining and educational information which makes people stop and engage? Establishing distinct content categories that highlight different storytelling aspects about you, your talents and your audience will be a solid starting point.
For Children's Books and the Publishing Industry, Consider Using the Following Hashtags:
Children's Books
Inserting images can increase engagement - so think about images.
General Children's Books:
Educational and Thematic Focus:
Promotions and Recommendations:
Publishing Industry
General Publishing:
Children's Book Publishing:
Industry Insights and Community:
Events and Updates:
Combined Hashtags for Broader Reach
To ensure your posts cover both children's books and the publishing industry, you can combine the following hashtags:
Combined Themes:
Sample Tweet Using Hashtags:
"Excited to share our latest #kidsbook (insert Title) in children's literature! Discover new adventures in learning with our (insert series) by (insert author/illustrator. #ChildrensBooks #PublishingForKids #KidLit #YoungReaders #Everybookmatters #BookPublishing"
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