Happy New Year, 12 x 12 Members! We’re are excited to announce that for the third year in a row, our Featured Author posts will come from our 12 x 12 community. We are so proud of the success of our members and love that we get to celebrate with you this way. Remember these posts are here to encourage you. If you don’t have an agent or a book deal yet, that’s where these authors were just a few years ago. It takes time to walk the publishing path and we’re here to help, educate, and encourage you along the way.
We are particularly happy to bring you this month’s Featured Author. Viviane Elbee was a 2016 12 x 12 Diversity Scholarship recipient. During her time as a scholarship member, Viviane signed with her agent and received an offer for her debut picture TEACH YOUR GIRAFFE TO SKI, which just came out this past November. Today, Viviane shares her journey and what she’s wishes she would have known earlier. Thanks, Viviane!
Yay! It’s a new year! It’s a great time to advance your storytelling career and start learning about book marketing.
A decade ago, I joined an SCBWI critique group, determined to improve my writing skills. Then I joined 12 x 12 and gained so much knowledge about the craft, thanks to excellent webinars, blog posts and community discussions. During all these years, I was working on the craft, but I didn’t pay much attention to marketing. Then, two years ago, shortly after winning a 12 x 12 diversity scholarship, I received an offer for TEACH YOUR GIRAFFE TO SKI and signed with an agent (Natascha Morris @socalledYAlife). Suddenly I discovered a whole new world– the world of book marketing.
Here are some tips and things I WISH I HAD KNOWN and DONE EARLIER. Hopefully when you get that yes! and your publisher asks you for your marketing plan, you’ll be prepared.
#1 – You can start planning your marketing NOW – even if you don’t have any manuscripts under contract or publications. Some successful self-published authors recommend starting even before your manuscripts are polished!
#2 – Reserve a proper domain name and set up a basic website.
- Websites should have an: ABOUT ME page, a CONTACT page (usually an email form), and a SOCIAL MEDIA link page. If you have publications, you should have a PUBLICATIONS / BOOKS page(s). If you’re agented, mention your agent.
- You may also wish to include an EVENTS page.
- Some authors and illustrators have blogs and newsletters.
- Email signups can be a great way to build a platform too.
- It’s important that your website be about YOU. You’re the brand. (Hopefully one day you’ll have LOTS of books listed on your website.)
- If the “about me” page is tough, read other author and illustrator bios for inspiration. Gather your ideas, rough drafts, and polished manuscripts and look for recurring subjects. A generic idea is: YOUR NAME is a _____ [writer, illustrator…] who loves _____ [giraffes, the great outdoors, food] and is currently working on ____ [a picture book, an art portfolio, a novel…]. (Keep your bio in 3rd person because it’s better for search engine optimization).
- Taking an author branding course can help. (This is one that I took.) Andrea provides a lot of videos, worksheets and exercises about branding, and there are sections that will help you plan your website.)
- Having a website makes you look like a serious professional. This cannot be replaced by a Facebook page or Twitter or Instagram.
- Update your website regularly
#3 – Social Media. Reserve your name on all the major social media platforms even if you don’t intend to use all of them. You don’t want a bot to grab your name and post nonsense. Set aside some time to figure out which social media platforms you like best – you don’t need to be active on all platforms, but after you get a yes, your publisher and agent may ask you to be active online, so it helps to know the basics and which sites you like best.
- If you feel lost online, reach out to your fellow 12 x 12ers! They’ll gladly friend you in FB and follow you on Twitter and Instagram and Pinterest and Goodreads and more.
- Join Goodreads. Use a real photo of yourself (a good one that you are proud of) and your bio. Add books you’ve read and want to read to your virtual shelves. Update your book shelves regularly. About 4-6 months from publication, you’ll have the opportunity to register yourself as a Goodreads author and “claim” your book. That will make it easier for book fans to find you and connect. (It’s easy to add published 12 x 12 books to your to-read list – there’s a Goodreads 12×12 Listopia list – https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/122442.12x12_Books).
- If you find you like Instagram, use the hashtag #bookstagram to find the book lovers.
- Think before you post– how will this content reflect on you? It’s safe to post pics of baby giraffes in the snow, but complaints about book industry people could hurt your chances with some agents and editors.
#4 – Get to know your local bookstores. Plan regular trips a few times a year. Ask booksellers for their recommendations. If you have a relationship with the booksellers and they recognize you, it’ll be a lot easier to tell them about your book when it comes out and they’ll be more willing to help you set up a launch party. (Yes, buy a book while you’re there. But if you overspend in bookstores, bring cash only.)
#5 – Get to know your libraries and librarians. Some libraries organize wonderful events with authors and illustrators.
#6 – Build connections with people. Even if people don’t buy your book, they may recommend it to others. Networking is important, and SCBWI and 12 x 12 are great ways to connect with others in the KidLit industry. It’s also good to network with people who are not in the book industry – you never know who might buy your book!
#7 – Pay attention to local presses –newspapers, radios and TV. Do you know any of the journalists/freelancers? Can you follow them on social media and build a connection? Your publisher may ask about your press connections in your marketing plan questionnaire. As a new debut author, it can be hard to get an article or interview that’s just about you, but expanding the subject matter may lead to a winning article idea. Here’s an article a local paper ran about my critique group after I suggested the idea to one of the journalists. The press thought it was interesting that there was a large group of local talent in our area, the article helped boost my critique partners’ work, and it mentions TEACH YOUR GIRAFFE TO SKI. (https://www.minthilltimes.com/featured/successful-local-group-of-childrens-authors-illustrators-a-mint-hill-time-exclusive-interview/)
#8 – After you get a book deal, it’s time to update your website. Include the upcoming book, update your social media profiles, and let your personal connections know.
#9 – Once your book appears in Amazon, you’ll want to claim your book and set up your Amazon author profile.
#10 – Joining EPIC 18 was my single most helpful marketing tactic after I got a book deal. This is a debut group of authors and illustrators with books releasing in 2018 (https://epiceighteen.weebly.com/). I found out about EPIC 18 via 12 x 12, and similar groups form regularly. If you have a book scheduled for release, check with 12 x 12 to connect with a similar group. Some author/illustrator groups include previously published authors with a new book releasing that year. Epic 18 was incredibly supportive and educational – everyone shared tips about things like book marketing timelines, how to set up a book launch party, the importance of signing up for an Amazon author central account, how to contact ARC review chains and bloggers, which pens to use for autographs, and the best places to buy book swag such as bookmarks, postcards and stickers. (If any of you would like to share extra marketing tips in the comments, it’d be much appreciated.)
I’m hoping this year will be a great year for all of us. There are always things to learn in the book industry, but I also hope that you’ll explore and discover new ideas and hobbies outside of your writing life. If I hadn’t taken the time to learn to ski a few years ago, I would have never written TEACH YOUR GIRAFFE TO SKI. New activities can enrich your life and may inspire a winning manuscript.
So, like a certain adventurous giraffe, I encourage all of you to enter the new year with a Whoosh! and a Wheee! and bravely seek out new opportunities.
Viviane Elbee is a children’s author creating fun books for fond memories. When not writing, Viviane has all kinds of adventures with her family, both at home in the Carolinas and abroad. Her debut picture book, TEACH YOUR GIRAFFE TO SKI, came out in November 2018 (Albert Whitman and Co.). Her work has also appeared in Highlights High Five magazine.
Viviane is giving away one signed copy of TEACH YOUR GIRAFFE TO SKI to one lucky 12 x 12 member. Be sure to register!
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364 Responses
Solid advice to start out the new year! Thanks, Viviane, and congratulations on Teach Your Giraffe to Ski!
Thanks Viviane, and perfect timing! One of my goals for 2019 is to (finally) create website, and I have been pestering my daughter/social media consultant for help. 🙂 I appreciate your advice and guidelines.
Vivianne,
Excellent post to kick off the new year! And congratulations on the new book!
Great post, Viviane! Thank you for giving us a look at marketing (an aspect of writing that few of us understand) and what you did to help promote, Teach Your Giraffe To Ski
Great post on a topic I rarely read about! Congratulations!!
Great advice. Marketing and promoting can be so overwhelming.
Great advice for the new year as we all look positively to our future published PBs. Each of these points is about all the connections we’re making now and can plan ahead for — thanks Viviane!
Love the title of your book, Viviane! I love learning about your journey and what helped you!
I have a website set up but not published yet. You’ve given me lots to think about. Looking forward to reading your book too!
Fantastic advice, thanks Vivian — so helpful!
Sorry, Viviane — your name was autocorrected (automistaken?) on my last post!
Thanks for the great advice and the reminders of the things I need to get working on!
Wow. This is chock full of good advice. Thanks for sharing. And I had to chuckle when I thought about my instructor who was helping me learn to ski at age 60. He must have felt like he was teaching a giraffe to ski! Such a cute, kid-friendly book cover!
Great suggestions! Congratulations on Teach your Giraffe to Ski, Viviane.
Thanks Viviane for this advice…social media platforms do make me nervous so I only have a few…I know I need to do more with them.
Viviane, this is gold! My first pb is coming out later this year, and I’m hungry for all knowledge about marketing. Thank you thank you!
Thank you, Viviane, This info is terrific. I always wonder, though, what’s the actual content–Home Page, etc–for an unpublished writer? Or are we simply in the Ready, Set, Get Ready mode until that day comes…? 🙂
Can’t believe it’s already January! This is great advice.
Thanks so much, Viviane. This is all the stuff I really don’t like to think about, but it’s so important. Congratulations on your new book!
Thanks for the great advice!
Great advice, Viviane! Now I need to go back and work on my website some more. Congrats on your book!!
Awesome advice, Viviane! I’ll be able to use it this year for my debut!
Wow…so much helpful information. Glad to see I’m on track plus what I can still work on ahead of time.
This was a great post, Viviane! At least I’ve done several of these things already and “when” I get my first book deal I’ll have a resource suggesting what else I can do to market my book! Thanks.
Thanks for the tips and congrats on the debut of TEACH YOUR GIRAFFE TO SKI!
Thank you for sharing so much valuable knowledge and information! And congratulations on your book and 12×12 success story. You are an inspiration. 🙂
Such great, in-depth advice!
Read your book recently and loved it. Thanks for the helpful post on marketing! So much to know!
This is a very helpful post and will be a great one to refer back to. Thanks!
Great tips, Vivianne! I’ve read your funny and sweet book and left a review. Congrats!
Wow! This is such great advice. I am building my website this year and now I feel like I have a plan. Congratulations and continued success Viviane!
Terrific advice and information, Viviane! Thanks for sharing. Congratulations on your book!
Such a great–and useful–post! Thank you. It makes sense to start thinking about marketing early. What great advice. Congratulations on TEACH YOUR GIRAFFE TO SKI! It is adorable.
Wow! A valuable post! “… which pens to sign autographs with”??! Didn’t know there WAS such a thing (and why). I need to print this out & make a checklist… Thank you, Viviane!
Great tips for marketing. Congrats again on How to Teach a Giraffe to Ski!
Loved TEACH YOUR GIRAFFE HOW TO SKI! In fact, I read it to my grandkids before we went skiing during Christmas vacation!
Thanks for the branding and social media tips, Viviane…building our presence is important when we have book news to spread…but the connections are just plain fun.
Thank you for the wonderful post, Viviane! I appreciated all the practical advice. In fact, I copied and saved the entire post to use as a resource. 🙂
Congrats on Teach Your Giraffe To Ski, and thanks for the great advice, Viviane! Heaps of useful information here, and you motivated me to finally take the Goodreads plunge!
Such great tips, thank you. Can’t wait to read your book and start putting some of your tips into action!
Thank you for such an inspiring post-the perfect way to start 2019!
Great tips. Thank you, Vivianne 🙂
WOW! My head is spinning with all of this great information! Clearly, I have a lot of work to do in 2019! Thanks for the great post! 🙂
Thanks! Hoping I need all of this helpful info someday…soon…Congrats on your book!
Great advice, Viviane! I’m so glad you’re my local critique buddy — see you next week!
Great post, VIviane! I didn’t think of reserving on platforms I wouldn’t use (I’m ever the optimist about things and should be more street smart!)
Clearly I have a LOT of things to do this year! Thanks for all the great advice! 🙂
Thank you everybody, for all your kind comments! I’m happy to see my post is helpful. Polly Renner – it’s ok to only be active on 1 or 2 social media sites, not all of them. I just wanted to point out that it’s good practice to reserve your name everywhere so bots don’t get your name. (Also, you may feel less nervous with Goodreads – you mark books you want to read, rate/review books you’ve read, or like other book reviews. It’s one of my favorites.) Joyce Schriebman, unpublished writers could put a nice image on their homepage and one sentence about themselves (the sentence might be repeated in the “about me” section.) It can take some time to think about what you want on your website and how to set it up, which provider to use etc… so might as well get a head start before your book deal comes along.
Thank Again!!!! It’s true. We MUST protect our vision:)
Wonderful post.
Thanks for sharing your journey.
Thanks so much for the amazing tips! This is a keeper.
Excellent advice, Viviane! And perfect for beginning a new year. Many of these things are on my Goals list.
Thank you, Viviane! Great tips. Wishing you a new year filled with new adventures and successes!
Thanks, Viviane! Great tips to start following in prep of when I get published.
Holding on to this valuable info.
Really excited about your book, Viviane! Natascha Morris used it as an example for a workshop I attended last year. Great to see your well-deserved success! Good luck!
Viviane! Congratulations and Happy New Year! Thank you for your book. I think we all sometimes feel like a giraffe learning how to ski 🙂 Thank you for the impressive amount of information you shared about the business side of books — marketing. I always wince a little when I have to skip over the ‘website’ box when posting a comment like this. You have inspired me to make an author website and get started on the other medias, as well. I’ll be re-reading your post often. Thank you!
Thank you, Viviane! Excellent advice. I’m glad I’m part way there with your suggestions. Now I have more to do. Congrats on your book…I love giraffes, so I’m eager to get it!
Great advice! Congratulations!🎉 I’m looking forward to reading Teach Your Giraffe to Ski:)
Excellent post, Viviane! I thought of your narrator’s advice as I was skiing yesterday! 🙂 It’s been SO MUCH FUN watching your book come to life! CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Wonderful info! Thanks, Viviane!! And congratulations on your sweet looking book! Can’t wait to check it out. 🙂
Yay! Congrats on your book launch!
Congratulations on your book, Viviane! I really enjoyed your advice, even though I’m only in the “working on the craft years” at this point. But who knows? Maybe 2019 will have to be a marketing year for me as well. ; )
An excellent list of ways to prepare for marketing success, Viviane. Congratulations on your new book. It looks adorable.
Thanks for the great post and advice, Viviane!!! Marketing a book is one of those things that feels so daunting at times, but these tips make me feel more prepared! 🙂
Thanks, Vivian, best of luck
Thank you, Viviane! This is outstanding.
When do you have time to write with all this marketing?? I find it overwhelming…
Terrific advice. Thanks for these suggestions!
Viviane, you have provided us all with some wonderful tips and advice for marketing books. Thank you and congrats on your success!
Hi, Viviane! Love giraffes and can’t wait to read your book. Great cover and great tips on marketing.
Terrific information- it’s a bit overwhelming but I’m trying for some small steps. Thanks for sharing! And congratulations on Teach Your Giraffe to Ski- I loved it!
This is helpful information and I’m putting the book on hold at the library. I’ve vowed to make much better use of 12×12 this year ~ so in that vein, how do I register for a copy of Teach Your Giraffe to Ski?
Thanks for all the great tips! Happy to be joining 12X12 this year!
This was just the post I needed! My New Year’s resolution was to bolster my author site before my chapter book comes out this spring! 🙂
Fantastic advice – thank you. There is always so much to learn – one step at a time. Congratulations on the book too!!
Great social media info! I didn’t know much about Goodreads, but I’ll look into it now. Thanks!
Such an inspiring and informative post! Thank you for sharing your journey with us!!
Viviane,
This is fantastic marketing advice! Thanks for kicking off 2019 with a bang! I’m blown away by all you offered on the blog. Hope we can work together in the future. Would love to get you up in Concord to present a marketing workshop one day or have you give a presentation on writing/literacy.
I use K.S. Image Solutions in Harrisburg, NC for all of my promotional products. Krystal and her family are great to work with. They do a lot with fire departments, hospitals, etc.
My favorite marketing product is the temporary tattoo. Children love them mad they last much monger than a sticker. Bookmarks are always a hit, too.
Thank you, Viviane! That’s good advice. I actually started a website , but I’m sheepish about announcing it as I am an emerging writer. Time to revisit it!
Vivane, thank you for such an informative post. I will change my “About” page on my web/blogsite to third person asap. I will also register for Goodreads. Thank you!! And Congratulations!
Thank you for spelling it out or leaving a guide for things to remember to do before and after
you send out your work or queries and receive an offer. This is a marketing plan, I needed to
have now.
Really Interesting post. Thanks for this advice Viviane! And congratulations on Teach Your Giraffe to Ski!
What a gold mine of information! Thank you so much, Viviane. I can’t wait to read your book. It’s on the list for my next trip to the library!
Congratulations! Can’t wait to read the story!
Hi, Viviane! I’m getting a late start and just read your post. Thank you so much for this information. I started to create a website but didn’t get far. Now I’m ready to act! Congratulations on your picture book. I can’t wait to read it.
Viviane, such a useful post, on a topic (I have to admit) I would happily ignore. But obviously, that’s not a good idea. Will start small and try to branch out as I go along 🙂 Good reads sounds like a perfect starting place.
Congrats on your book, too. Haven’t read it yet, but LOVE the title. Have it on my list of mentor texts.
Solid advice! Thank you, Viviane. Hugs for your giraffe!
Great post! Thank you!
Thanks, Viviane for the helpful tips. I’m bookmarking this post for the future! Can’t wait to read your book!
What a mine of useful information on a topic I know little about. I know I’m going to keep referring back to this one! Thanks for the tips and best of luck for your book this year.
Viviane, this post is wonderful! It’s so informative and great to know before being published. Thank you so much! I can’t wait to read your book.
Thank you. I hope to use your advice soon.
Excellent information on marketing, Viviane! Thank you! It is an area that gets overlooked, but is so important to promoting books. Congratulations on your book! Can’t wait to read it!
Great info. I need to get started. Congrats on your book! I wish you great success!!!
Congratulations, Viviane! Thanks for a great post with excellent practical tips! I love TEACH YOUR GIRAFFE TO SKI!! #Epic18
Congratulations on your book! Thank you for such helpful tips!
Vivianne,
My grandchildren love to ski so I’m definitely getting this book. I resist all things marketing but now you’ve made me reconsider. I’ll start on this to do list one thing at a time. I had a yoga studio and marketing took up HUGE amounts of time. So it goes. I’d rather write.
Great advice! I always forget the book marketing aspect of publishing, so this has been super helpful. Congrats on TEACH YOUR GIRAFFE TO SKI! I love the how-to format/helpful and funny instructions, clever and fun characters, and beautiful illustrations. The giraffe reminds me of my 6-foot-3 brother who lives in Denver and is always skiing down the Colorado slopes! 🙂
–Alison
I’m so glad to have joined this group. This book looks like it will be fun to read. I’ve just checked it out at the local library. It isn’t even in their circulation pool yet, but my name is first on the list when they get it, 02/01/19.
Excellent advice and great tips. Learning marketing can be be like going down the rabbit hole.
Wow! Great advice! Very clear steps of what to do for marketing. Thank you.
Thanks for the advice and tips. It is one side of the writing cycle to write and revise, but the selling portion is a subject unto itself. You put the needed information in a way that is well done.
Great Advice. I’m sure I’ll revisit this list often.
Thanks so much for your insight into marketing. I have already made a website, but now I know how to really make it shine! Thanks again!
Great advice.
Thanks!
Thank you Viviane. Very helpful to the newby. I’m sure I will be referring back to the repeatedly as I set up my web page. Congrats on your wonderful TEACH YOUR GIRAFFE HOW TO SKI!
Viviane,
Your advice and tips are terrific!!
Thanks!!
Thanks Viviane, for all of this golden advice! This is one of those posts that I want to print out and hang up somewhere prominent, so I can check things off as I complete them!
Congratulations on your hard work and delightful book!
Fabulous post, Viviane…I heartily echo all of your advice. And your book is adorable! 🙂
Congrats Viviane on your book! Thank you for the super advice to begin 2019 🙂
Definitely helpful to learn about these things ahead of time. Thank you!
Thanks for getting me thinking about marketing. I would not have thought to go down this path quite yet!
Good ideas. I have done almost none of these things. Thanks for the advice.
Thank you, Viviane! This is timely advice since I’ve been re-visiting Twitter (I’m actually enjoying the info) and working on my website, which is still in early stages. New year, new tasks! Congratulations on Teaching Your Giraffe to Ski. Here’s to many more successes! Thank you for sharing!
Great tips for the pre-published. Thanks!
Great post. You have also inspired me to start a folder for marketing info.
Thanks so much for all the media info. So helpful! Looking to the future.
What great information to kick off the year! I can’t wait to check out the marketing course you recommended. I have a website, but it’s not under my name. I’m wondering if I should try to start over.
Thank you Viviane for this useful info!
And congrats on Giraffe!!!
Excellent post that gives me a lot to think about and look into. Thanks for sharing such great resources!
Lots of helpful info here, Viviane. Thanks! Giraffe is on my to-read list!
I really like that you began by giving tips for BEFORE you sell your first book. There’s lots of useful information here for everyone.
Thanks for all of your good advice.
Excellent information! This is going to be a two read post! thank you, Terri
So much great advice. So glad I have stayed friends with my library friends and have local school contacts. Now all I need is to get a book published. LOL. All in good time.
Great advice! Thank you!
Viviane, fabulous advice! Just what I needed.
Thank you!
Keep spreading your magic!
This was very helpful. Some of the things I’ve done, but I can see where I could be more complete. I am going to print this and follow through on several things. Thank you so much!
Thanks for the terrific branding and marketing tips, Viviane! I loved TEACH YOUR GIRAFFE TO SKI.
So much to think about! Thanks for breaking it down. Hopefully I will need this info someday.
Great post, thank you so much! I’m bookmarking it and filing it in my WHAT TO DO WHEN I FINALLY GET A DEAL folder! These were all the things we need to know but most people don’t think to tell us. Appreciate all these suggestions!
Great post, Vivian!
Great post to start a new year. Your title and book cover looks so fun and appealing-one that kids will want to grab off the shelves and take home. Congratulations!
Excellent advice—it’s never too soon to start thinking and planning like an author.
Thanks for all of this great info! Can’t wait to read your book!
A fab read Vivian! Lots of great tips there.
What a wealth of information from author branding and #bookstagram to the 12×12 Goodreads list! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Can’t remember if I commented yet or not, but love your book! Thanks for the post!
Thank you for the fantastic advice and congrats on your success, Viviane! So many things we can get a jump start on so we’re ready when the good news arrives! Much appreciated. Can’t wait to read your book!
This has great advice! Thank you for your insight. I checked your book out of the library a couple of weeks ago, what a coincidence! I really enjoyed it, congrats!
Thank you Viviane! I love the advice to explore and discover new ideas and hobbies outside of writing.
I really enjoyed this and I know I’m going to use it because it gives me a lot of insightful information.
Viviane, what an amazingly interesting and extremely helpful post. I’m not published…yet…but this is all great to know as we all journey forward! Thank you.
Thank you so much for the advice and tips. Congratulations on your debut picture book!
Great top 10 list. Thanks!
This is such great advice! I have a website and most of what you recommend is on there. I started with a blog and it’s the most active part of my website but now that my debut is weeks away, the events page is also heating up! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience.
All great advice, and you can never start too soon!
I have definitely taken your suggestions this month and started researching how to build a website
Wow! I am printing this post and pinning it to my wall. Writing seems like the easy part compared to this list.
Great advice! Marketing is far from my strong suit (as I’m sure many agree). This is really useful! And congrats on Teach Your Giraffe to Ski!
Thanks so much for the tips, plan to put them all into action! Your story looks adorable and your own journey inspirational!
This is such a generous post with so much useful information! Thank you for sharing all this.
(Recently saw Teach Your Giraffe to Ski at our favorite ski resort…talk about great marketing! My small skiers loved it 🙂
Great advice. Thank you!
Helpful tips. Thanks for sharing.
Aren’t 12x12ers the best people ever! Wish I had knowns about Epic18. Great help.
Thanks for your great post
This is exactly what I need right now. Thank you for sharing this!
Viviane –
Thank you so much for all the time you took to write this article. It will be a great resource tool that I will keep. It is so comprehensive. Thank you again.
This is great information! I will get going on these! Congrats on your book!
Viviane
Enjoyed reading your message. It was quite helpful! Lots to do besides writing my draft.
Congratulations Viviane!! and thanks for the great marketing advice!!
Oh my goodness gracious! This was a super helpful post. Thanks for sharing such insights!
Vivian, these are very useful and timely tips on marketing. Thanks!
Wow this is such great (and overwhelming) advice! Thank you!
Such great advice. You are inspiring!
It’s always good at the start of the year to be reminded of things to do. Thanks, Viviane.
Good stuff, thanks.
So much useful information here, thank you!
Being published in short romance and mystery fiction, all good advise. You don’t want to wait on having a website and gathering an email list of those interested in your work. Love the concept of Teach Your Giraffe to Ski. Humorous PBs are my favorite.
Such a helpful post thank you and congratulations!
Congrats on your success! Thanks for sharing the very helpful information!
Lots to think about! Thanks for the tips!
Thank you for a wealth of practical and accessible marketing techniques.
Having yet to publish a picture book, what do people think about blending adult publications in one website intended also to promote future children’s publications?
Thank you for such a detailed list of tips! I worked in marketing for 7 years, but when it comes to promoting my personal writing it’s the marketing part that feels the most overwhelming! Having a detailed plan though always helps, because that way we can approach the to-do list one-by-one. Also, appreciate the link to the training!
Thank you for such a detailed list of tips! I worked in marketing for 7 years, but when it comes to promoting my personal writing it’s the marketing part that feels the most overwhelming! Having a detailed plan though always helps, because that way we can approach the to-do list one-by-one.
Also, appreciate the link to the training!
Thank you Vivian for such a detailed list of tips! Even thinking about the marketing aspect can be overwhelming, not talking about doing all that while also working on your craft. But having a detailed plan always helps! Also, thank you for the link to the tutorial!
*one by one
🙂
Thank you Viviane! And congratulations on TEACH YOUR GIRAFFE TO SKI!
What a fun book! Thank you! I can’t wait to get it so that I can teach my giraffe how to ski!
Thank you for the helpful advice Viviane! I’m looking forward to reading your book. 🙂
Thank you for your great advice! I’m looking forward to purchasing and sharing your book. I used to feed and rake the stall of a sweet and friendly giraffe at the zoo. Brutus-the-giraffe would lean over the dutch-door of his stall while I was working and lick my hair out of my pony-tail. Giraffes hold a sweet spot in my heart!
Great advice Viviane.
Great information. Thank you! Congratulations on your book baby!
Thank you Viviane. This is an excellent resource list for what needs to be done re: marketing. So helpful.
Thank you for such great advice!! And congratulations on your book!! 🙂
Thank you, Viviane! This is great information to keep in my back pocket and use when I get published! Congratulations on your book! It looks very fun!!
Thanks Viviane! Congrats on the beautiful book.
Such great advice! Thank you!
This is great–if a bit daunting–advice. Tanks.
This is great–if a bit daunting–advice. Thanks.
Thank you and can’t wait to share your book with my niece and nephew!
Thanks, Vivianne! Lots of great information here. Must admit, marketing is not up my alley. I’m saving your post and will start taking some of your valuable advice, even though I’m pre-published. Best of luck to you and your WIP’s!
I’ve been a 12×12 member for 5 years now (I think) and this is the first time I’ve ever taken a full page of notes from your tips. Excellent advice as I feel I’m at the edge of a book deal. Fingers crossed. My favorite tip was to write your bio in 3rd person. Who knew? Thanks again!!!
Thanks for the advice!
Thank you for this deep dive into something that isn’t discussed much. I cannot wait to read your book!
There is SO much goodness here! Thanks for putting it all in a checklist format – it really helps it feel attainable!
Your advice is much appreciated.
Thank you for your advice!
Marketing and connecting with young readers can be the most rewarding part of writing. Thanks for putting together this thoughtful post!
Viviane, congratulations on your PB! I remember feeling AND probably LOOKING like the giraffe when I first started learning to “snowplow” and stop on the slopes. What fun! You’ve capsulized marketing strategies into clear, detailed information. Thank you! Marketing our books is another world beyond writing books. When I participated in two webinars (“Children’s Book Marketing” by Kirstin Cappy and “What Is an Author Platform Anyway?” by Elaine Kiely Kearns and Sylvia Liu, I was overwhelmed by how much we, as authors, needed to do to promote our books. Yet, reading your post, I understand the need for authors and illustrators to be involved. After all, we’re “in love” with our books and want to spread the word. Motivated by what I learned in the webinars, I (with the help of my techie neighbor) designed a professional website where I challenge myself to write essay “banter.” I haven’t signed on to Twitter yet, but you’ve given me solid reasons to make my presence known on social media. Again, I’m grateful for your time and thought behind this post. Wishing you continued “joy in writing” (Tara Lazar).
Congratulations on your fantastic book! As an adult just learning to ski, and only because my little ones are leaning, I related so much! As did my little ones! Thank you for all of your advice for writers, as well.
Thanks for the marketing tips. Feels a bit scary at the moment!!
This post is so helpful and your Epic 18 group was phenomenal! I love the cover of TEACH YOUR GIRAFFE TO SKI and how the helmet has holes for the ossicones. Congrats Viviane!
Thanks for the helpful tips!
Thanks for the encouragement and great overview post about marketing, Viviane!
Just so practical and easy to follow. Thank you Vivienne.
Thank you so much Vivian, for such a thorough “getting set-up” post! I was just thinking about getting my web site started and now I have this bookmarked to use as a check list. Congratulations on your skiing giraffe!!
Best,
Erin
Great tips! It can be tough to think about marketing in the early stages, but it’s obviously so important to lay that groundwork right away.
Great advice. Thank you!
Thanks for sharing all the great advice! Lots of work to do!
So helpful! Thanks for the great advice!
This is such helpful advice! Congratulations on your book!
Vivianne – this is a wonderful post. I just saw you on the Grog Blog too! Thank you and congrats on your success!
Thank you for the detailed info on AFTER being published!
Thanks for this helpful post, Viviane. I definitely need to come back and read it again once I sell a book. I knew a lot of these steps, but you added some new ones and it’s so helpful to have all the info together in one post. I wonder if there’s some way Julie can keep marketing tips like this easily searchable so members can find them when needed the most.
Congrats on your debut picture book! It looks adorable, and I can’t wait to read it.
Such solid advice, Viviane! Marketing is one of my weak spots I think, but you have really helped. Congrats and thanks!
Wow! That’s so much information. I wouldn’t have thought of half of those ideas. Thank you so much!
Thank you for your advice and insight, I am excited to be part of the 12×12 and finishing a book in 2019.
Great marketing advice. A nice checklist for all authors t keep handy. Thank you. 🙂
Congratulations on the book! And thank you for sharing your insights with the newbies like me here!
Thanks for this great advice, Viviane. Looking forward to reading your book.
I thought I had posted a comment. But I can’t find it.
Viviane, thank you for the reminder to secure your “name” on all social media. Especially if your name isn’t highly unique. Made me take the leap onto Instagram. 🙂
Great info all around! Have so much to learn and had no idea about the new 18 thing and so many other points on here. Thanks!!
What a great summary! Thanks for the tips!
Congratulations on your picture book! Thanks for sharing these ideas of what to start even before an offer.
Thank you so much for the advice! It was to the point and helpful.
Great Post! Thanks for sharing it with us!
Viviane speaks the truth. This is a great list to refer to when you find yourself marching toward publication. Starting the New In Nineteen group was one of my best decisions. It has been such a wonderful marketing tool, as well as a great source of support and sharing.
Fun post to open the year! Congrats on Giraffe!
Thank you for the helpful tips! Congrats on your book!
This is great advice! Thank you Viviane! This has given me so much to think about!
Thank you for the great information. It makes me feel good to know I am on the right track.
Can’t wait to read your book.😊Congratulations!
Thanks for a great first post of 2019!
Thanks for all these wonderful tips! Your book is adorable!
Great information. Can’t wait to read your book😊Congratulations!
This was the perfect post for me as I plan my website. Congrats on your book! I love it.
Thank you so much for your valuable insight! I can’t wait to edit my website with your great ideas.
Thank you for the helpful information! I have the “Branding for Writers and Authors” page open in another tab right now. I can’t wait to check it out. Congratulations on your debut. What a fun cover and title!
This is truly a wonderful and thorough post! Very spot on. Thank you!
Wonderful advice!! Thank you!! And I can’t wait to read your book, TEACH A GIRAFFE TO SKI!!
Super helpful! Thanks for the thorough overview of what’s needed for a book launch.
Wow, I had never even thought of half of the things mentioned here. So much information.
Great advice… I’ve already dug into some of this, but definitely found some helpful nuggets here that I need to jump on. Thanks for such a thorough rundown!
Great advice, Viviane! I’ve been putting off creating a webpage, but I think you have given me the inspiration to try to do it.
That is great advice about marketing and getting your name out there. It made me realize that I need to update my website. Thank you for the great tips!
So much to take in, and so helpful. Thanks for the treasure trove of information!
This was an amazingly informative post!! Thank you!!
This was full of good information–thanks!
I can’t wait to read your new book – congratulations!
You share such great advice. I actually had a tv interview on our local station this week!
I thought I’d already commented on this, but I think it’s because I said something on Twitter. Viviane – this is amazing advice and I’ll be taking it. Thank you so much. And I love TEACH YOUR GIRAFFE TO SKI. My whole family does.
Thank you for the post Viviane. There is so much to learn in the beginning. Posts like this definitely help! We’re all about skiing in our house right now so my kids love your book!
Such useful information…! Marketing isn’t something I’ve thought much about…and really should. Thanks for sharing some brilliant ideas on the subject!
Such amazing information that you’ve shared with us. Thank you! I’ve implemented a few things but now realize there is much to do. Congrats Viviane, adding Teach Your Giraffe to Ski to my reading list.
Priceless information! Thanks a million for this post! Just the kind of plan I needed to read. This is PrintOut Worthy:)
Thanks for the practical tips and resources! All the best!
Congrats on the new book and thank so much for the stellar advice!
Viviane, thank you so much for all the wonderful tips and marketing advice! You shared a wealth of information towards helping us become successful authors, and it is much appreciated. Congrats on your cute book! 🙂
Thanks for the suggestions!
Hi Viviane! Congratulations on your fun-filled book! Because of your post, I purchased a domain and signed up for Twitter. I appreciate your helpful strategies on marketing! You are clearly an insightful blessing to the whole KidLit community!
Congrats on the book (it sounds wonderful). And great advice (it’s never too early to start building your brand).
Thanks for the helpful tips, Vivienne 😀
Great advice, indeed, Viviane. Congrats on finding success!
Thank you for a great post! Many of your suggestions are on my 2019 to-do list, and this helps get me organized!
Thanks for all these great tips! My critique group meets monthly at our local bookstore – Turn of the Corkscrew in Rockville Centre, NY. I love it because it gets me in to support a local business every month, I ALWAYS leave with a book for my sons, and I’ve made a great connection with the two bookstore owners. They give me great recommendations when they know I am working on a project and have even listened to me brainstorm ideas a few times! 🙂
Great list. Thank you! Looking forward to reading your book!
Thanks for the great advice, and congrats on your darling new book!
Wow, really helpful information.
Thanks for sharing your path to pub and the great advice, Viviane!
I second getting started on marketing now! Once it’s closer to the book coming out, you are super busy!
This is great advice! If anyone is looking for an affordable place to buy a domain, I get all of mine from NameCheap. They have great prices and you don’t have to get your domain at the same place you get your web hosting.
Love all the practical advice – especially the social media. It inspired me to get on top of it!
What an informative and uplifting post, not to mention a great reminder that we’re never to old to try new things. Thanks for sharing!
Wow, what a helpful post! Thank you for sharing your knowledge!
Congrats Viviane!
A gold mine of information. Will be putting it to use asap!
What a wonderful list on how to get started!!! Th am you!
Fantastic and congrats on your success!
Thanks for such great advice, Viviane! I LOVE “Teach Your Giraffe to Ski”!
Your specific advice about steps to take NOW are helpful. Thank you for this post.
Congrats, Viviane! Thank you for taking the time to share such good advice with all of us. <3
Such great advice. Never too early to be prepared. My website has been a mess for years. Need to move it up the priority list.
Wow! A lot of good information here. I have some homework to do. Thanks for sharing your experrience with us. I’m going to print this out and start working on those areas I need to.
Thank you for all of the good information!
I loved reading your post, V! So thrilled for you and your success. I ran up to Salt Lake City for the day yesterday to ski and channelled my inner giraffe all afternoon! <3
Viviane, this is such a wonderful and positive (and correct) post. I agree with everything you said. 🙂 And, it’s been so wonderful sharing this debut year with you in Epic 18. Congratulations to you on a great book and a great year — and here’s to more of the same in the future.
Wow, this is such good advice! I have really hesitated to set up a website without being published, but I’m feeling moved to go for it. Thank you for this very useful post.
What a wonderful list of helpful tips. Thanks for sharing!!
Great guidance on the social media aspects! Even without a book, it’s good to get started… Our 12×12 family has been awesome on Twitter!
What a great roadmap for social media. I’ve got a long way to go. Thank you!
Such helpful tips, Viviane! Thank you!
Thanks so much for all these great tips Viviane. Looking over your top ten list, I realize I need to build relationships, and make more connections. You’ve given me a couple of ideas. Thanks again and congratulations on Teach Your Giraffe To Ski.
Congrats on the book and thanks for sharing your tips. I feel like the marketing side is such a mystery to most of us writers. I had never even heard of EPIC 18. Wishing you an amazing 2019.
Great tips. I also like the way Goodreads posts my blog on my author page. Marketing can be terrifying. You made it seem less scary.
Great post to begin 2019. Thank you for sharing your marketing & social media tips Viviane. Your tips will lure me out of my shell this year.
Great advice, Vivianne! Congrats:)
Thanks, Viviane, for the tip on reserving your domain name. I thought I would do it if I got a book deal, didn’t think of starting early. Thanks again and congratulations on your book.
Yipeeee! Yahoooo! I love to Skiiiiiiiii! Love your post too. Thank you!
Wow! I wish I’d known all of that before my book came out. Thanks! I’ll be better prepared next time.
Viviane, you’ve given us a lot to think about. I love connecting on social media, but lack many computer skills to create a website. I hunger for bookstore visits and library visits, but struggle with the idea of marketing skills, and will need to research EPIC 18. You have inspired me to keep on keeping on. So much to learn. Thank you. P.S. I’ve finally involved myself in a critique group, thankfully.
What a wonderful post Viviane! It’s good to have lots of information before your book is published. Marketing can be so hard! Websites are so important I’m so glad I’m lucky enough to be in your critique group. I love my copy of your book (nope, not even pretending it’s my kid’s book anymore). Can’t wait to read your next book!
I am not ready for much of this advice, but I can see how very helpful this is. How kind of you to share your thinking.
Thank you for sharing all this useful information.
Great post, Viviane! Thanks for all the valuable information!
Thank you for such a detailed list of suggestions – I’m printing out your post. And a big congratulations on TEACH YOUR GIRAFFE TO SKI!
Wow, so much useful info, thank you so much!!
Rock solid advice! Some real gems here – and a great publishing checklist. Thank you!
Viviane – thank you so much for sharing your journey and providing us with such wonderful information to help us develop a solid platform. Wishing you all the best with your new book and the rest of the year.
Thank you so much for these very useful and practical tips– so many of them! And congratulations!
Very practical advice! (The social media stuff intimidates me, though.) Thank you.
This is so helpful! I know I need to start my website and this is a great guide! Pinning this for later! Thank you!
Congratulations on your debut book! Thank you for sharing all this useful information.
Great information. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for your encouraging advice. And congratulations on your new book!
Wow! Great post. Thank you for sharing and giving ideas on how to define a marketing plan. Congratulations on your debut PB!
Wonderful advice! Thank you kindly. And congrats on your new release!
Congratulations on Teach Your Giraffe to Ski and thanks for the thoughtful ideas. Especially love starting now and the branding course.
Congratuations, Viviane, on TEACH YOUR GIRAFFE TO SKI. The cover is hysterical! Great tips for marketing and social media–I’m still working on a few of those. Especially looking forward to connecting more to my local library and librarian now that I’m retired and work at the hospital doesn’t conflict with their limited hours of operation.
I love practical advice. Thank you so much for listing everything out in your post. Super helpful! And congratulations on Teach Your Giraffe to Ski!
Such great tips, Vivian. Thank you for setting all of us up for success!
Thanks for all the helpful tips, Vivian. You’ve given me a meaty to do list.
Great info for all of us at any stage. Thank you!
Looking forward to reading this book! 🙂
Vivian, thank you for the time you spent preparing such an excellent and informative post. I definitely will be referring back to this one to review your helpful tips and to checkout the resources you provided.
Your debut book looks adorable! I look forward to reading it and sharing it with my grandsons someday. Congratulations!
Thanks for the great post Vivian. I can’t wait to read your book!
Thank you for such a great, thorough post Viviane! There are so many excellent tips in here – many which I have not even thought about doing yet so it has reframed my thinking! Can’t wait to read and support your book! Sounds like so much fun.
Thanks so much for the post!
Wonderful advice! Thank you!
Thanks so much for the post.
Congratulations, Vivian! You’re right, making connections is so important at all stages of our writing careers. Thank you for sharing these ideas!
Thank you for such great advice!
Great Tips – THANKS for sharing!
Congratulations on your book! As a late bloomer skier, I’m looking forward to reading your book.
thanks for the great tips! i’m going to go rewrite my bio on my website now! 🙂
Thank you Viviane for such a complete article on your experiences and advice, plus so many resources. I think I am going to print this out to save, it is so rich with ideas and advice. It is very appreciated. And congratulations on your debut book and great writing to you!!
Marketing myself is both exciting and terrifying, but these tips really help! Thank you!
These were wonderful tips and advice. I learned so many new things! Thank you so much for sharing all of this with us. I am so looking forward to your book!
Thanks for great advice!
All the best with your PBook and thanks for the tips. Very helpful.
Marketing doesn’t feel so overwhelming when one has information like this. Thank you, Viviane.
VIviane — thank you for sharing all this amazing information with us all. It was really helpful to see all your experience from getting that contract to publication!
So many new to dos to add to the list. Thanks!
Hi Vivian, and thank you for notes about self-promotion. Having done the groundwork early puts you in the success mindset. The resource links are much appreciated, unfortunately, the link to the branding course is broken. All the best with Teach Your Giraffe to Ski and your future books – that smile says it all.
Thanks for the website information
Thank you for all of your wonderful advice and tips on marketing. I’m new to this whole process and you answered many questions that I didn’t even know to have yet!! Congratulations on you debut picture book!!
Brillant lodestar!! I have absorbed it twice. Having been a Silver then Gold and back to Silver member of 12 x 12, you, Viviane, have re-ignited a fire under my lazy derriere’. I am grateful.
Thank you for such a helpful list, Viviane! Such great advice on marketing.
Viviane, thank you for such a wonderful, detailed, thorough post! I have had so many questions about this in the past, and tour post helped me see the bigger picture. I am so grateful!
Ledys
This was a fantastic post! It made me write down all the answers to these questions, and find out that I actually do have more connections than I thought. Thank you for the Instagram hashtag, that was definitely something I didn’t know before.
Thanks for a comprehensive post – you’ve spurred me into action! I will move “setting up a website” to the top of the list, and revisit the idea of opening a Good Reads account.
Thank you so much for all the amazing marketing advice, priceless!
Great advise and congratulations on Teach Your Giraffe To Ski. Thank you.
Wow what great tips! Thanks so much
Thanks for these tips!
Thank you for this comprehensive list of marketing tips. It is so appreciated. p.s. Your book looks adorable – I can’t wait to read it!
Wow! This is a lot of great, helpful information. Thank you so much!
Thank you so much for the great tips. Very helpful!
It sounds like I have a lot of work to do.
Wow, these tips are incredibly helpful and specific! Thank you so much for sharing, Viviane!
Wow! Thanks for all this great information! I’ve definitely added some items to my to do list as a result!
You’re not kidding when you say the 12×12 community will support you on social media. I just joined this group four weeks ago and I quickly gained 300 Twitter followers — many of them fellow 12x12ers!
(Yes, buy a book while you’re there. But if you overspend in bookstores, bring cash only.)
That was my favorite part. Thanks for that tip and for recognizing our NEED to buy books! Great advice all around. Congratulations on your book!! Woohoo.
This post was so helpful! I’ve updated my website and am looking to the future. Congratulations on your success!
Three tips are fantastic, Viviane, thanks! As a former journalist, I’m especially impressed with your local newspaper article about your SCBWI group. Well done!
Thanks, Viviane! Great idea about the critique group article!
Great post! Thank you, Viviane!