3 Proven Tactics for Selling Your Self-Published Board Book

Rebecca Gladney is the author, artistic director, and self-publisher behind Chirp’s Adventures board book series.

Rebecca’s Printing Journey

Rebecca’s journey into self-publishing began with 1000 copies of her first board book “Chirp’s Large Day”. Rebecca has sold her entire first print run in just 12 months – without selling Chirp’s Adventures on Amazon. Now, with the second print run of Chirp’s Large Day on shelves and the recent launch of her 2nd board book in the series, Chirp’s West End Wander, Rebecca shares the strategies that made her first print run so successful —plus a bonus tip at the end!

1. A Strong Pre-Order Campaign

Rebecca’s Kickstarter campaign not only helped fund her print run but gave her support and feedback that was critical as a new author embarking on her first board book. After the Kickstarter ended, Rebecca rolled the pre-orders over to her website, selling more books to customers through her pre-marketing campaign. As a new author, the Kickstarter campaign and the early community of customers provided confidence and allowed her to tweak her marketing before her book officially launched, increasing her sales success.

2. Social Media Marketing

Understanding the power of social media, Rebecca enlisted her inner circle to engage with her posts. She asked friends and family to comment, like, or share content as soon as it was posted. Though social media algorithms can be tricky, by sending her posts directly to friends, she increased the likelihood of interaction. She also encouraged her followers to turn on post notifications on Instagram, streamlining her outreach efforts. Rebecca’s creativity and tech-savviness allowed her to gain an organic and engaged following that continues to grow.

3. Non-Traditional Venues

Rebecca approached local businesses, outside of bookstores, including a tourist shop, a brewery, and a maternity store, with the notion of carrying her book. They all loved the idea and one local tourist shop in Newfoundland and Labrador, Downhome Inc., had never carried books and embraced Chirp’s journey through Newfoundland enthusiastically – listing it in all stores across the province. Rebecca encourages authors to think beyond the traditional bookstore. Consider your genre or story, and explore unconventional avenues and venues where you can reach your book’s target audience.

One Bonus Tip

Rebecca believes in the importance of community in achieving your dreams. She has one last tip for the self-publishing world: Get unapologetically curious! Ask questions and seek support from trusted peers. Rebecca values her large and strong inner circle, who provide honest feedback and insights. Building a network of fellow self-published authors has been invaluable for her growth, energy and amazing collaboration opportunities.
Reflecting on her author journey, Rebecca cherishes the exciting moments, including the thrill of selling out her first print run, hearing of children incorporating her book into their bedtime rituals, and visiting schools to see kids engage with the inclusive world of Chirp—filled with familiar places from their everyday lives.

For those interested in mentorship, Rebecca is open to connecting and discussing projects. She looks forward to hearing about your journey and celebrating your success! Feel free to connect in any of the ways below.