Children's Book Marketing Made Easy

In this episode of Children's Book Marketing Made Easy, Harleigh shares how to write a children's book that not only tells a meaningful story but also has the potential to sell. Drawing from her own experience publishing Doppy and the Runaway Balloons, Doppy Saves the Bees!, and Doppy Saves the Turtles!, she explains why choosing the right topic and understanding what parents, teachers, and grandparents are looking for can make a big difference in your book's success.

Harleigh breaks down how to research bestselling children's book topics, validate your ideas using Amazon and Publisher Rocket, and create age-appropriate stories that children actually enjoy reading. She also explains why professional editing, beta readers, and a clear story structure are important before moving into the publishing and marketing process.

What You’ll Learn

• Why writing a great children's book doesn't automatically mean it will sell
• How to choose a children's book topic that is relevant and marketable
• How to research bestselling children's books on Amazon to identify potential topics 
• How to prepare your manuscript for the next steps of formatting, publishing, and launching

Watch the Original YouTube Video

If you prefer a visual walkthrough, you can watch the original video here:
https://youtu.be/GKFfpCEY0bM?si=IQbWGFxdL7JtP7b7

Work With Me + Resources

Book a 1:1 Coaching Call with Me:
[60 Minute Zoom Call]
[40 Minute Zoom Call]
Join My Signature Membership Program to Publish, Launch, and SCALE Your Children's Book Publishing Business:

Author Growth Roadmap
Get Free Traffic + Book Sales:
Free Traffic Formula Mini Course

Get Publisher Rocket:
https://publisherrocket.cartknox.com/buy-rocket?aff=471

Free Resources for Children's Book Authors

Children's Book Marketing Guide
Instagram Content Planner
Book Launch Team Checklist + Email Templates
Free Publish a Children's Book on Amazon KDP Course
Free Children's Book Formatting Course

Connect

If you found this episode helpful, consider following the podcast, leaving a review, and sharing it with another children’s book author!

In this episode of Children’s Book Marketing Made Easy, Harleigh sits down with her VIP coaching client and debut children's book author Meeshy  Mac to break down the pre-launch strategy behind her first book, Pretend You're a Puppy. Before the book even officially launched, Meeshy shares how her Sponsor a Story campaign, pre-orders, Shopify website, launch team, and consistent social media strategy worked together to build momentum before launch. She also gets into her decision to manufacture a board book instead of using Amazon KDP, her experience going viral on social media, and what she's doing to keep that momentum going into launch day.

What You’ll Learn

• How Meeshy generated 200+ sales before her first children's book officially launched
• Why Shopify is the primary sales platform for Pretend You're a Puppy
• How she exceeded her goal of 100 sponsored books in the first week 
• Why she's choosing NOT to run a major discount or free promotion during this launch

Watch the Original YouTube Video

If you prefer a visual walkthrough, you can watch the original video here:
https://youtu.be/PzBucGT8yE0?si=WUZ87iRvvFTkdoEG

Work With Me + Resources
🌟 Become a VIP Member for the Same Price as a 60-Minute Coaching Call and Get Instant Access to Author Growth Roadmap: https://www.skool.com/author-growth-academy/plans

Book a 1:1 Coaching Call with Me:
[60 Minute Zoom Call]
[40 Minute Zoom Call]
Join My Signature Membership Program to Publish, Launch, and SCALE Your Children's Book Publishing Business:

Author Growth Roadmap
Get Free Traffic + Book Sales:
Free Traffic Formula Mini Course

Free Resources for Children's Book Authors

Children's Book Marketing Guide
Instagram Content Planner
Book Launch Team Checklist + Email Templates
Free Publish a Children's Book on Amazon KDP Course
Free Children's Book Formatting Course

Links & Resources Mentioned:
🚀 Become a VIP Coaching Client: https://www.skool.com/author-growth-academy/plans
🐶 Check out Meeshy Mac & Pretend You’re a Puppy:
Website: https://meeshymac.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authormeeshymac/
📚 My Board Book Manufacturing Videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxiVKW6bfkI&list=PLVasjHuqQLsZi6pLFbEaPkqnreak0XIG2
🔗 Goodreads Author Profile Help: https://www.goodreads.com/author/program

Connect

If you found this episode helpful, consider following the podcast, leaving a review, and sharing it with another children’s book author!

In this episode of Children’s Book Marketing Made Easy, Harleigh shares how you can take ONE Amazon KDP children's book and turn it into five different income streams instead of relying solely on your Amazon royalties. From maximizing your book formats and selling directly to creating wholesale opportunities, merchandise, and eventually monetizing your expertise, there are more ways to make money from your book than you might realize. 

Harleigh breaks down the income streams she has personally used to grow her children's book business and shares practical ways you can start small and build additional revenue around the book you've already created.

What You’ll Learn

•  How to maximize the income potential of your Amazon KDP Children's Book listing
•  How IngramSpark can expand your book formats and wholesale distribution
•  How KDP Select and Kindle Unlimited can create another source of book royalties
•  Why you don't need an entire children's book series to start building multiple streams of income 

Watch the Original YouTube Video

If you prefer a visual walkthrough, you can watch the original video here:
https://youtu.be/do1CQPvWDa8?si=oVIV7wVKEhgx9ku3

Work With Me + Resources

Book a 1:1 Coaching Call with Me:
[60 Minute Zoom Call]
[40 Minute Zoom Call]
Join My Signature Membership Program to Publish, Launch, and SCALE Your Children's Book Publishing Business:

Author Growth Roadmap
Get Free Traffic + Book Sales:
Free Traffic Formula Mini Course
Custom Children's Book Activity Books
Learn more about having Harleigh create a custom, non-AI activity book based on your children's book: https://harleigh-manske.kit.com/232f96b89a

Links Mentioned
IngramSpark: Print-on-demand and wholesale distribution for authors:
https://www.ingramspark.com/
Faire: The wholesale platform Harleigh uses for her offset-printed books and merchandise:
https://www.faire.com/
Shopify: Harleigh uses Shopify for her author website, online orders, in-person sales, and Faire integration.
 https://shopify.pxf.io/c/5843335/1499948/13624
In-Person Children's Book Selling Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKh7Ols2TsY&list=PLVasjHuqQLsa7R4UKqfZrFm00jeyYpgyK
Children's Book Wholesale Training / Videos
Wholesale with Print on Demand: https://youtu.be/HftJC7XFrko?si=zL0mM5HV3pPt3b9r
Wholesale with Inventory: https://youtu.be/fvlsCH3UMo0?si=B4KS8TCo6Tbaez-s
Children's Book Product Manufacturing Videos
Videos on creating products like plushies, stickers, enamel pins, and other merchandise: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxiVKW6bfkI&list=PLVasjHuqQLsZi6pLFbEaPkqnreak0XIG2

Free Resources for Children's Book Authors

Children's Book Marketing Guide
Instagram Content Planner
Book Launch Team Checklist + Email Templates
Free Publish a Children's Book on Amazon KDP Course
Free Children's Book Formatting Course

Connect

If you found this episode helpful, consider following the podcast, leaving a review, and sharing it with another children’s book author!

In this episode of Children’s Book Marketing Made Easy, Harleigh answers one of the questions she gets asked all the time: How much money can you actually make as a self-published children's book author? She breaks down realistic numbers from her own business and explains why relying on Amazon KDP royalties alone can limit your earning potential. 

Harleigh shares how she increases her income through direct book sales, in-person events, wholesale, and children's book merchandise—and why treating your books like an actual publishing business can create more opportunities for long-term, recurring revenue. 

What You’ll Learn

•  How much money you can realistically make as a self-published children's book author 
•  Different ways to sell children's books beyond Amazon KDP
•  Why selling books directly can dramatically increase your profit per copy
•  Why building meaningful income from children's books takes time, consistency, and a long-term strategy

Watch the Original YouTube Video

If you prefer a visual walkthrough, you can watch the original video here:
https://youtu.be/AnvxmWIaGBE?si=hWlKbVTMx4Ihghpa

Links Mentioned:

How I Made $300 Selling Children's Books in 3 Hours
See the in-person sales strategy Harleigh references in this episode.
https://authorharleighrose.com/episodes/23-300-in-childrens-book-sales-in-3-hours-heres-how-i-did-it

How I Created Custom Plushies for My Children's Book Brand
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjfE0yQXs-A

Work With Me + Resources

Book a 1:1 Coaching Call with Me:
[60 Minute Zoom Call]
[40 Minute Zoom Call]
Join My Signature Membership Program to Publish, Launch, and SCALE Your Children's Book Publishing Business:

Author Growth Roadmap
Get Free Traffic + Book Sales:
Free Traffic Formula Mini Course

Free Resources for Children's Book Authors

Children's Book Marketing Guide
Instagram Content Planner
Book Launch Team Checklist + Email Templates
Free Publish a Children's Book on Amazon KDP Course
Free Children's Book Formatting Course

Connect

If you found this episode helpful, consider following the podcast, leaving a review, and sharing it with another children’s book author!

In this episode of Children’s Book Marketing Made Easy, Harleigh shares a behind-the-scenes look at how she turned a childhood creative passion into a successful children's book business. In this special interview episode, she talks about where Doppy came from, how becoming a mom inspired her to revisit her dream of becoming a children's book author and illustrator, and what it took to turn that dream into a full-time career. 

Harleigh also gets into the parts of self-publishing that go far beyond writing and illustrating, from learning digital illustration and refining her books through multiple drafts to marketing, selling at in-person events, running a publishing business, and learning the business side of being an independent author. She also shares one of the biggest marketing lessons she wishes she'd known before publishing her first book: start talking about and marketing your book before you hit publish. 

This episode is an inside look at what building a children's book business actually looks like, including the learning curves, fears, imposter syndrome, and years of small steps behind the finished books you eventually see. 

Watch the Original YouTube Video

If you prefer a visual walkthrough, you can watch the original video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy_E72s7cZU

Work With Me + Resources

Book a 1:1 Coaching Call with Me:
[60 Minute Zoom Call]
[40 Minute Zoom Call]
Join My Signature Membership Program to Publish, Launch, and SCALE Your Children's Book Publishing Business:

Author Growth Roadmap
Get Free Traffic + Book Sales:
Free Traffic Formula Mini Course

Free Resources for Children's Book Authors

Children's Book Marketing Guide
Instagram Content Planner
Book Launch Team Checklist + Email Templates
Free Publish a Children's Book on Amazon KDP Course
Free Children's Book Formatting Course

Connect

If you found this episode helpful, consider following the podcast, leaving it a review, and sharing it with another children’s book author.

In this episode of Children’s Book Marketing Made Easy, Harleigh shares five ways to successfully market your Amazon KDP children's book as an introvert, without constantly showing your face, posting on social media every day, making phone calls, or putting yourself into situations that feel completely outside of your comfort zone. 

From optimizing your Amazon listing so your book can be discovered organically to building a website and email list that you actually own, Harleigh breaks down marketing strategies that can continue working behind the scenes. She also shares how reaching out to children's book influencers, read-aloud YouTube channels, bookstores, libraries, schools, and other local organizations can get your book in front of new audiences, even if you'd much rather send an email than pitch yourself in person.   

You don't have to become an extrovert to successfully market your children's book. You can do these strategies from home and use them to consistently get your books in front of more potential readers.

What You’ll Learn

•  5 children's book marketing strategies that are perfect for introverts
•  Why every self-published children's book author should have their own website
•  How to pitch bookstores, libraries, schools, gift shops, and other organizations entirely through email
•  How to market your books through email without showing your face

Watch the Original YouTube Video

If you prefer a visual walkthrough, you can watch the original video here:
https://youtu.be/Fe1jqwKU6uQ?si=bPT0x5l4ZAyf2DY6

Work With Me + Resources

Book a 1:1 Coaching Call with Me:
[60 Minute Zoom Call]
[40 Minute Zoom Call]
Join My Signature Membership Program to Publish, Launch, and SCALE Your Children's Book Publishing Business:

Author Growth Roadmap
Get Free Traffic + Book Sales:
Free Traffic Formula Mini Course

Links Mentioned:

• Publisher Rocket (Find the Best Amazon KDP Keywords + Categories)
• How to Find the Best Amazon KDP Categories + Keywords (Video)
• How to Create a FREE Author Website Using Canva (Video Playlist)
• How to Build an Email List as a Children's Book Author (Video)
• Do You Need an ISBN for Your Children's Book? (Video)

Free Resources for Children's Book Authors

Children's Book Marketing Guide
Instagram Content Planner
Book Launch Team Checklist + Email Templates
Free Publish a Children's Book on Amazon KDP Course
Free Children's Book Formatting Course

Connect

If you found this episode helpful, consider following the podcast, leaving a review, and sharing it with another children’s book author.

In this episode of Children’s Book Marketing Made Easy, Harleigh shares how she made $300 in children's book sales in just three hours at a local farmers market, without running ads, hard-selling, or needing a massive crowd. She breaks down what made this particular event so successful and why in-person selling has become such an important part of her children's book business. 

Harleigh walks through the three things she believes made the biggest difference: creating a simple, branded table setup that doesn't overwhelm shoppers, developing a natural sales pitch that tells the story behind your books, and using small freebies like character stickers to start conversations with families. She also explains why choosing the right event matters just as much as what you do once you're there.  

More than anything, this episode shows why getting your books in front of people in real life can create opportunities that go far beyond a single sale, from connecting directly with readers to school visits, wholesale opportunities, and other local connections that can help grow your author business.

What You’ll Learn

• Why sharing your personal author story can help customers connect with your books
• How in-person events can lead to school visits, wholesale accounts, networking, and other opportunities 
• Why connecting with readers face-to-face can be valuable even beyond the sales you make that day
• How to create an elevator pitch that feels genuine instead of salesy 

Watch the Original YouTube Video

If you prefer a visual walkthrough, you can watch the original video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilSw069NCtg&t=1s

Work With Me + Resources

Book a 1:1 Coaching Call with Me:
[60 Minute Zoom Call]
[40 Minute Zoom Call]
Join My Signature Membership Program to Publish, Launch, and SCALE Your Children's Book Publishing Business:

Author Growth Roadmap
Get Free Traffic + Book Sales:
Free Traffic Formula Mini Course

Free Resources for Children's Book Authors

Children's Book Marketing Guide
Instagram Content Planner
Book Launch Team Checklist + Email Templates
Free Publish a Children's Book on Amazon KDP Course
Free Children's Book Formatting Course

Connect

If you found this episode helpful, consider following the podcast, leaving a review, and sharing it with another children’s book author.

In this episode of Children’s Book Marketing Made Easy, Harleigh shares one of her favorite Amazon KDP launch strategies: giving away the eBook version of your children's book for FREE.

It might sound counterproductive when your goal is to sell more books, but a strategically planned free eBook promotion can help you generate hundreds of downloads, increase your Amazon visibility, gain reviews, generate Kindle Unlimited page reads, and introduce new readers to the rest of your books.

Harleigh breaks down exactly how she uses KDP Select free eBook promotions during launches and relaunches, how she drives traffic to those promotions, and how you can turn a free download into something much bigger for your children's book publishing business.

What You’ll Learn

•  How free downloads can help your children's book gain visibility on Amazon 
• How to drive traffic to your free children's eBook without relying on paid ads
•  Why you should give away your children's eBooks for free during launch week
•  How to set up a free eBook promotion through Amazon KDP Select

If you prefer a visual walkthrough, you can watch the original video here:
https://youtu.be/sIMhlont5lE?si=bTilnexr9a1ZJoQ1

Work With Me + Resources

Book a 1:1 Coaching Call with Me:
[60 Minute Zoom Call]
[40 Minute Zoom Call]
Join My Signature Membership Program to Publish, Launch, and SCALE Your Children's Book Publishing Business:

Author Growth Roadmap
Get Free Traffic + Book Sales:
Free Traffic Formula Mini Course

Free Resources for Children's Book Authors

Children's Book Marketing Guide
Instagram Content Planner
Book Launch Team Checklist + Email Templates
Free Publish a Children's Book on Amazon KDP Course
Free Children's Book Formatting Course

Connect

If you found this episode helpful, consider following the podcast, leaving a review, and sharing it with another children’s book author.

In this episode of Children’s Book Marketing Made Easy, Harleigh shares the exact step-by-step strategy she would use to rebuild her children's book author platform from zero in 2026.

If she lost her entire audience tomorrow—including her social media followers, email list, and online communities—this is the marketing system she would use to start over without relying on paid ads or trying to post everywhere at once.

Harleigh breaks down how to pair one nurture platform with one growth platform, build an email list you actually own, create a sustainable content schedule, consistently drive traffic to your Amazon books, and turn these individual strategies into a repeatable weekly marketing system. The goal isn't to do more marketing. It's to create a system you can realistically stick with long enough to see results!

What You’ll Learn

•  How to market your children’s book effectively 
•  Strategies to grow your audience and email list 
•  How to choose the right social media platforms based on your strengths
•  A realistic posting schedule for busy children's book authors

Watch the Original YouTube Video

If you prefer a visual walkthrough, you can watch the original video here:
https://youtu.be/mwKSJ0FhW4U?si=W-0KFNlz0JWFZiqS

How to Create an Amazon Affiliate Link for Your Children's Book
Learn how to create and use affiliate links when promoting your books on Amazon.
https://youtu.be/P4KWuEnY9FI?si=yiRGFVEwvz65jmNb

Work With Me + Resources

Book a 1:1 Coaching Call with Me:
[60 Minute Zoom Call]
[40 Minute Zoom Call]
Join My Signature Membership Program to Publish, Launch, and SCALE Your Children's Book Publishing Business:

Author Growth Roadmap
Get Free Traffic + Book Sales:
Free Traffic Formula Mini Course

Free Resources for Children's Book Authors

Children's Book Marketing Guide
Instagram Content Planner
Book Launch Team Checklist + Email Templates
Free Publish a Children's Book on Amazon KDP Course
Free Children's Book Formatting Course

Connect

If you found this episode helpful, follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with another children’s book author!

In this episode of Children’s Book Marketing Made Easy, Harleigh shares one of the biggest shifts that transformed her own children's book business: choosing evergreen book topics that readers search for year after year.

Many self-published authors write a story they love and hope readers will find it. While that can work at in-person events, Amazon is a search engine, and books built around evergreen topics, holidays, and seasonal themes often have a much better chance of being discovered. In this episode, Harleigh explains how she applied this strategy to her own bestselling books, why recurring search traffic matters, and how you can build a catalog of children's books that generates consistent sales throughout the year. 

What You’ll Learn

•  Why evergreen book topics often outperform random story ideas on Amazon KDP
•  How Amazon search traffic influences children's book sales 
•  The difference between writing a cute story and creating a marketable book topic
•  How holidays and seasonal themes can generate recurring book sales every year

Watch the Original YouTube Video

If you prefer a visual walkthrough, you can watch the original video here:
https://youtu.be/EqEsIXV86Rs?si=uLPo7L5no5JThajU

Get Publisher Rocket:
https://publisherrocket.cartknox.com/buy-rocket?aff=471

Work With Me + Resources

Book a 1:1 Coaching Call with Me:
[60 Minute Zoom Call]
[40 Minute Zoom Call]
Join My Signature Membership Program to Publish, Launch, and SCALE Your Children's Book Publishing Business:

Author Growth Roadmap
Get Free Traffic + Book Sales:
Free Traffic Formula Mini Course

Free Resources for Children's Book Authors

Children's Book Marketing Guide
Instagram Content Planner
Book Launch Team Checklist + Email Templates
Free Publish a Children's Book on Amazon KDP Course
Free Children's Book Formatting Course

Connect

If you found this episode helpful, consider following the podcast, leaving a review, and sharing it with another children’s book author!