15: Using AI Illustrations for an Amazon KDP Children's Book? (Here's What to Watch Out For)

15: Using AI Illustrations for an Amazon KDP Children's Book? (Here's What to Watch Out For)

In this episode of Children’s Book Marketing Made Easy, Harleigh tackles one of the most controversial topics in the children's book industry today: AI illustrations. With AI tools becoming more accessible than ever, many aspiring children's book authors are wondering whether they should use AI to illustrate their books. In this episode, Harleigh shares what can happen when authors choose to use AI-generated illustrations, the potential consequences that many people don't talk about, and several alternative options that can help bring your story to life without spending thousands of dollars on illustrations. Drawing from real-world experiences, coaching client stories, and her own perspective as a professional illustrator, she helps you make an informed decision about what's best for your publishing goals.  What You’ll Learn *  What can happen if you use AI illustrations in a children's book  *  The potential impact AI illustrations can have on book sales, reviews, school visits, and bookstore opportunities *  Common reactions authors may experience when publishing AI-illustrated books *  Alternative illustration options if hiring a full illustrator isn't in your budget Watch the Original YouTube Video If you prefer a visual walkthrough, you can watch the original video here: https://youtu.be/5V4l57jUSeE?si=ndqvGqNRXHMZSIST [https://youtu.be/5V4l57jUSeE?si=ndqvGqNRXHMZSIST] Work With Me + Resources Book a 1:1 Coaching Call with Me: [60 Minute Zoom Call] [https://calendly.com/harleighmanske/1-1-coaching-call] [40 Minute Zoom Call] [https://calendly.com/harleighmanske/1-1-coaching-call-discounted-clone] Join My Signature Membership Program to Publish, Launch, and SCALE Your Children's Book Publishing Business: Author Growth Roadmap [https://www.skool.com/author-growth-academy/about] Get Free Traffic + Book Sales: Free Traffic Formula Mini Course [https://buy.stripe.com/6oU00j0dM5nherqda71ZS03] Free Resources for Children's Book Authors Children's Book Marketing Guide [https://harleigh-manske.ck.page/8f6e045fcc] Instagram Content Planner [https://harleigh-manske.kit.com/738f0c7892] Book Launch Team Checklist + Email Templates [https://harleigh-manske.kit.com/43a80c9130] Connect If you found this episode helpful, consider following the podcast, leaving a review, and sharing it with another children’s book author!

14: Create a Children's Book BRAND to Sell More Books

In this episode of Children’s Book Marketing Made Easy, Harleigh shares why building a children's book brand can be one of the most powerful ways to increase book sales, grow a loyal audience, and create a long-term publishing business. Many self-published authors focus on publishing one book at a time, but the most successful children's book creators often build something bigger than a single title. In this episode, Harleigh explains how recurring characters, consistent themes, recognizable artwork, and serving the same audience can help readers connect with your books and keep coming back for more. She also shares examples from her own Doppy brand and other successful children's book series to show how a strong brand can make marketing and selling future books much easier.  What You’ll Learn *  Why building a children's book brand can help you sell more books  *  The difference between publishing individual books and creating a recognizable brand *  Why consistent themes and messaging help strengthen your children's book author brand *  How serving the same target audience can help your business grow faster  Watch the Original YouTube Video If you prefer a visual walkthrough, you can watch the original video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0liRK8XA4U&t=1s [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0liRK8XA4U&t=1s] Work With Me + Resources Book a 1:1 Coaching Call with Me: [60 Minute Zoom Call] [https://calendly.com/harleighmanske/1-1-coaching-call] [40 Minute Zoom Call] [https://calendly.com/harleighmanske/1-1-coaching-call-discounted-clone] Join My Signature Membership Program to Publish, Launch, and SCALE Your Children's Book Publishing Business: Author Growth Roadmap [https://www.skool.com/author-growth-academy/about] Get Free Traffic + Book Sales: Free Traffic Formula Mini Course [https://buy.stripe.com/6oU00j0dM5nherqda71ZS03] Free Resources for Children's Book Authors Children's Book Marketing Guide [https://harleigh-manske.ck.page/8f6e045fcc] Instagram Content Planner [https://harleigh-manske.kit.com/738f0c7892] Book Launch Team Checklist + Email Templates [https://harleigh-manske.kit.com/43a80c9130] Connect If you found this episode helpful, consider following the podcast, leaving a review, and sharing it with another children’s book author!

13: Get Your Amazon KDP Children’s Books Ready for Wholesale

In this episode of Children’s Book Marketing Made Easy, Harleigh breaks down how to get your Amazon KDP children's books ready for wholesale and into bookstores, gift shops, boutiques, and other retail locations. Many self-published children's book authors assume wholesale is only for traditionally published authors or that they need a distributor to get their books into stores. In this episode, Harleigh shares two different wholesale paths you can take depending on your publishing goals: a print-on-demand approach using IngramSpark and an inventory-based approach using Shopify and Faire. She walks through the pros and cons of each method so you can decide which option is the best fit for your children's book business. What You’ll Learn * The two different paths to getting your children's books wholesale-ready *  The pros and cons of print-on-demand wholesale versus carrying inventory *  Why Shopify can be a valuable tool for children's book authors *  How to prepare your business for wholesale opportunities Watch the Original YouTube Video If you prefer a visual walkthrough, you can watch the original video here: Amazon KDP to Bookstores: https://youtu.be/HftJC7XFrko?si=GAsUQbyQM5cQIXBK [https://youtu.be/HftJC7XFrko?si=GAsUQbyQM5cQIXBK] Offset Printed Children's Books to Stores: https://youtu.be/fvlsCH3UMo0?si=avlPpM8a-N1Pee8Y [https://youtu.be/fvlsCH3UMo0?si=avlPpM8a-N1Pee8Y] Work With Me + Resources Book a 1:1 Coaching Call with Me: [60 Minute Zoom Call] [https://calendly.com/harleighmanske/1-1-coaching-call] [40 Minute Zoom Call] [https://calendly.com/harleighmanske/1-1-coaching-call-discounted-clone] Join My Signature Membership Program to Publish, Launch, and SCALE Your Children's Book Publishing Business: Author Growth Roadmap [https://www.skool.com/author-growth-academy/about] Get Free Traffic + Book Sales: Free Traffic Formula Mini Course [https://buy.stripe.com/6oU00j0dM5nherqda71ZS03] Free Resources for Children's Book Authors Children's Book Marketing Guide [https://harleigh-manske.ck.page/8f6e045fcc] Instagram Content Planner [https://harleigh-manske.kit.com/738f0c7892] Book Launch Team Checklist + Email Templates [https://harleigh-manske.kit.com/43a80c9130] Connect If you found this episode helpful, consider following the podcast, leaving a review, and sharing it with another children’s book author!

12: Scams Every Children’s Book Author Needs to Watch Out For

In this episode of Children’s Book Marketing Made Easy, Harleigh shares some of the most common scams targeting self-published children's book authors today. Self-publishing has created incredible opportunities for children's book authors, but unfortunately, it has also created plenty of opportunities for scammers! Drawing from her own experiences and conversations with coaching clients, she explains the red flags to watch for so you can protect your time, money, and publishing business.  What You’ll Learn * Warning signs that an illustrator may not be legitimate * How to identify fake reviewer and influencer accounts * Practical ways to protect yourself and your publishing business from scams Watch the Original YouTube Video If you prefer a visual walkthrough, you can watch the original video here: https://youtu.be/BpqwhZqUTns?si=btnCraNWY27mwtCj [https://youtu.be/BpqwhZqUTns?si=btnCraNWY27mwtCj] Videos/ Resources Mentioned: How to Spot Illustrators Using AI: https://youtu.be/MjPXdgvVmew?si=wZsjKmPqTTYHbup_ [https://youtu.be/MjPXdgvVmew?si=wZsjKmPqTTYHbup_] Free Self-Publishing on Amazon KDP Course: https://www.skool.com/author-growth-academy/classroom/7b128725?md=4e7d49151fe24c8c97785bf787297460 [https://www.skool.com/author-growth-academy/classroom/7b128725?md=4e7d49151fe24c8c97785bf787297460] Work With Me + Resources Book a 1:1 Coaching Call with Me: [60 Minute Zoom Call] [https://calendly.com/harleighmanske/1-1-coaching-call] [40 Minute Zoom Call] [https://calendly.com/harleighmanske/1-1-coaching-call-discounted-clone] Join My Signature Membership Program to Publish, Launch, and SCALE Your Children's Book Publishing Business: Author Growth Roadmap [https://www.skool.com/author-growth-academy/about] Get Free Traffic + Book Sales: Free Traffic Formula Mini Course [https://buy.stripe.com/6oU00j0dM5nherqda71ZS03] Free Resources for Children's Book Authors Children's Book Marketing Guide [https://harleigh-manske.ck.page/8f6e045fcc] Instagram Content Planner [https://harleigh-manske.kit.com/738f0c7892] Book Launch Team Checklist + Email Templates [https://harleigh-manske.kit.com/43a80c9130] Connect If you found this episode helpful, consider following the podcast and sharing it with another children’s book author.

11: How to Realistically Make $500 a Month Selling Children's Books

In this episode of Children’s Book Marketing Made Easy, Harleigh breaks down how self-published children's book authors can realistically make an extra $500 per month selling their books. Many children's book authors assume they need to go viral, build a massive social media following, or spend thousands on ads to generate meaningful income. In this episode, Harleigh shares several practical methods she has personally used to generate book sales, as well as a simple system to help you create consistent traffic and sales over time.  If you're looking for realistic ways to grow your children's book income without relying on luck or viral content, this episode is for you. What You’ll Learn * How to realistically make an extra $500 per month selling children's books * Why you don't need to go viral or run ads to generate book sales * How to leverage community relationships to generate repeat sales * Why consistency matters more than chasing quick wins Watch the Original YouTube Video If you prefer a visual walkthrough, you can watch the original video here: https://youtu.be/tH5GpFxqJy8?si=eb0ZIWruk0xettIk [https://youtu.be/tH5GpFxqJy8?si=eb0ZIWruk0xettIk] Author Event Supplies: https://www.amazon.com/shop/authorharleighrose/list/6GHDCGIX72XJ?ref_=aipsflist [https://www.amazon.com/shop/authorharleighrose/list/6GHDCGIX72XJ?ref_=aipsflist] Work With Me + Resources Book a 1:1 Coaching Call with Me: [60 Minute Zoom Call] [https://calendly.com/harleighmanske/1-1-coaching-call] [40 Minute Zoom Call] [https://calendly.com/harleighmanske/1-1-coaching-call-discounted-clone] Join My Signature Membership Program to Publish, Launch, and SCALE Your Children's Book Publishing Business: Author Growth Roadmap [https://www.skool.com/author-growth-academy/about] Get Free Traffic + Book Sales: Free Traffic Formula Mini Course [https://buy.stripe.com/6oU00j0dM5nherqda71ZS03] Free Resources for Children's Book Authors Children's Book Marketing Guide [https://harleigh-manske.ck.page/8f6e045fcc] Instagram Content Planner [https://harleigh-manske.kit.com/738f0c7892] Book Launch Team Checklist + Email Templates [https://harleigh-manske.kit.com/43a80c9130] Connect If you found this episode helpful, consider following the podcast and sharing it with another children’s book author.