7 PR Strategies to Help Your Children’s Book Get Noticed
Guest Blog by PR by the Book
Getting the word out about your children’s book can feel a bit like trying to stand out in a crowded playground—exciting, but also a little chaotic and disorienting! Luckily, some basic PR strategies can help get you organized and pointed in the right direction. Let’s explore some approachable, effective ways to promote your book and secure media coverage that really makes a difference.
1. Put Together an Eye-Catching Press Kit
Think of your press kit as your book’s “intro packet”—it’s your chance to wow the media from the start. Whether done digitally (i.e., as an emailable PDF, deck, website, or even on a social media platform) or in print, you’ll want to include a lively press release, your author bio, a high-quality book cover image, and a brief about what makes your book special. Is there a heartwarming backstory, or does your book tackle a topic that’s super relevant right now? Highlight that! Give journalists a reason to get excited and for them to want to do a story on you and your book.
2. Target Parenting and Education Outlets
Promoting a children’s book is a little different than promoting books for adults because your target reading audience isn’t the same as your target purchasing audience. For media outreach purposes, you’ll want to put most of your effort towards the latter: magazines, newspapers, websites, newsletters, and other outlets that parents, teachers, and librarians frequently browse. Don’t overlook smaller media outlets in your local market either—they can often be more open to highlighting local talent or feel-good community stories than those with a larger national scope. Personalized pitches work best, so if there’s a hometown angle or something unique about your journey, share it!
3. Visit Schools and Libraries
Nothing beats connecting in person. Organizing readings or mini-workshops at schools and libraries is a fantastic way to build real buzz among your target audience. Kids get excited, parents notice, and teachers love fresh resources. If nothing more, it’s fun and a neat way to connect with your potential readers.
4. Make Social Media Work for You
You don’t have to be everywhere, but show up where parents, teachers, and book lovers hang out—Instagram, Facebook groups, maybe even Pinterest. Post engaging content that feels fresh and relevant to the tone, look, and feel of your book, behind-the-scenes glimpses at the book’s creation, and any fun updates that might capture a reader’s interest. Likewise, use relevant hashtags to expand organic reach on these platforms, especially on Instagram. Reach out to and engage with bloggers, parenting influencers, similar authors, media figures, and kidlit reviewers who might enjoy your book, and offer them a copy to review. Social media also affords a great opportunity to introduce potential readers and buyers to your characters and the world-building being done in your stories, so think creatively about how you can weave those elements into your posts across all platforms (this can be especially effective if you have an illustrated picture book or other fun visual elements that would lend themselves well to social media content).
5. Enter Book Awards and Request Reviews
There’s nothing like an award or glowing review to catch a reporter’s eye. Submit your book to reputable children’s book competitions—just being nominated is newsworthy! Reach out to book bloggers and respected review sites, too. Ask happy readers to post their thoughts on online retailers—these testimonials really add up and can sometimes unlock promotional support on the retail site after hitting a certain number of reviews!
6. Try Podcasts and Broadcast Media
Don’t forget about the booming world of podcasts! Many shows cater to parents, educators, and book lovers. Pitch yourself as a guest—share your story, what inspired your book, or how your book helps children learn something new. Local radio and TV news outlets also love interesting, community-driven stories, especially around holidays or literary celebrations.
7. Build Excitement with Giveaways
Everyone loves a good contest or giveaway! Team up with bloggers, host one on your own website, or run a fun social media challenge. Giveaways spark excitement, promote engagement, and get more people talking about your book.
Remember, PR isn’t just a one-and-done, one-size-fits-all effort. A mix of these strategies, tweaked to fit your story and style, can have a significant impact on the overall awareness of your book and its success. Just get out there and see what works best for you!
Want help getting your children’s book into the hands of media and readers? At PR by the Book, we specialize in book publicity that cuts through the noise. Whether you’re launching your first picture book or growing your author brand, we’d love to support your journey.
To dive deeper into their proven approach to book publicity, visit www.prbythebook.com.
