Children's Book Marketing Made Easy

7: Children’s Book Marketing is Broken (Here’s What ACTUALLY Works)

14 min · 11. maj 2026
episode 7: Children’s Book Marketing is Broken (Here’s What ACTUALLY Works) cover

Description

Episode Summary In this episode of Children’s Book Marketing Made Easy, Harleigh breaks down why traditional children’s book marketing, especially relying on ads, is broken for most self-published children's book authors and what actually works instead. She shares how to build a sustainable author platform using organic marketing strategies such as social media, email marketing, free resources, and content creation to drive long-term growth and consistent book sales. Whether you're just getting started or looking to scale, this episode provides clear, actionable steps you can begin implementing right away! What You’ll Learn * How to market your children’s book effectively using simple, organic strategies instead of relying on ads  * Why ads often don’t work for self-published children’s book authors (and what to do instead)  * How to build an author platform that makes selling future books easier  * Social media strategies to grow your audience and stay consistent with your content  * How to use free resources (like printables) as lead magnets to grow your email list  * How to create an ecosystem that turns traffic into subscribers and book buyers  * Simple ways to drive consistent traffic to your books through blogs, YouTube, and organic content Watch the Original YouTube Video If you prefer a visual walkthrough, you can watch the original video here: https://youtu.be/LXhMtjriljg?si=VHdMFmClrH6I7FBm [https://youtu.be/LXhMtjriljg?si=VHdMFmClrH6I7FBm] 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 leaving a review. Thank you!

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13 episodes

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

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!

22. juni 202614 min
episode 12: Scams Every Children’s Book Author Needs to Watch Out For artwork

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.

15. juni 202617 min
episode 11: How to Realistically Make $500 a Month Selling Children's Books artwork

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.

8. juni 202617 min
episode 10: You NEED This if You Want to Sell More Amazon KDP Children's Books artwork

10: You NEED This if You Want to Sell More Amazon KDP Children's Books

In this episode of Children’s Book Marketing Made Easy, you’ll learn practical strategies to help you grow your audience, increase book sales, and build a profitable self-publishing business. Harleigh shares the one asset she wishes she had started building much earlier in her publishing journey. It’s not flashy, it doesn’t require ads, and most authors overlook it for far too long. Yet it has the potential to create more consistent sales, stronger launches, and a direct connection with your audience that no social media platform can take away. Whether you're just getting started or looking to scale, this episode provides clear, actionable steps you can begin implementing right away! What You’ll Learn * The overlooked asset that can make marketing your children's books much easier * Why relying entirely on social media can be risky for authors * How to create a more sustainable system for growing your audience * How to build something that continues working for you even when you're not actively marketing Watch the Original YouTube Video If you prefer a visual walkthrough, you can watch the original video here: https://youtu.be/M7gY5ZWYVsI?si=ZTq2EYCvHigEvCVi [https://youtu.be/M7gY5ZWYVsI?si=ZTq2EYCvHigEvCVi] 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.

1. juni 20269 min
episode 9: 4 Steps to Take After Writing Your Children’s Book Manuscript artwork

9: 4 Steps to Take After Writing Your Children’s Book Manuscript

In this episode of Children’s Book Marketing Made Easy, you’ll learn practical strategies to help you grow your audience, increase book sales, and build a profitable self-publishing business. Harleigh walks through the four important steps to take after writing your children’s book manuscript before jumping into publishing. She shares how to gather feedback through beta readers, why editing matters, how to create a simple storyboard for your book, and how to find the right illustrator for your project.  If you've written your manuscript and are wondering, “Okay… now what?” this episode gives you a clear roadmap for your next steps! What You’ll Learn *  What to do immediately after finishing your children’s book manuscript *  How to find and use beta readers to improve your story before investing money *  How to find an editor and what role they play in preparing your book for publishing *  Where to find children's book illustrators and how to compare options Watch the Original YouTube Video If you prefer a visual walkthrough, you can watch the original video here: https://youtu.be/BqQxBmxqfbw?si=QUYku4bhVgDb-Bv5 [https://youtu.be/BqQxBmxqfbw?si=QUYku4bhVgDb-Bv5] 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!

26. maj 202610 min