Clara Harper

How to market your book after KDP upload – What I Do After Uploading My Manuscript to KDP to Market and Launch My Latest Books

Hi, I’m Clara Harper, a children’s book author, and today, I want to share what I do after uploading my manuscript to Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). If you’re like me, hitting that “publish” button can be both exciting and nerve-wracking! But the journey doesn’t stop there—in fact, that’s just the beginning. Let me walk you through my process for marketing and launching my latest book.

1. Celebrate!

First things first—take a moment to celebrate! Uploading a manuscript is a huge accomplishment, and every book deserves a little fanfare. I like to post a quick update on my social media accounts, sharing the news with friends, family, and followers. It helps get people excited and builds anticipation.

2. Prep Your Book’s Landing Page

Once my book is live on KDP, I immediately check its Amazon listing. Make sure your cover looks great, your description is engaging, and your keywords are optimized. This is the first impression people will get, so it’s important that everything shines.

3. Plan Your Book Launch

Planning a strong launch is key to success. I always aim to create buzz around the release. Here’s what I usually do:

• Create a countdown on social media: Let your followers know when your book will be available and post fun teasers leading up to the launch day. Direct everyone to your landing page!
• Host a giveaway: A week or so before the official release, I’ll give away a few copies of the book in exchange for early reviews.
• Book bloggers and influencers: I reach out to mommy bloggers, parenting influencers, and children’s book reviewers to see if they’re interested in featuring my book.
• Invest in a course on publishing! I highly recommend Royalty Hero simply because it is a business approach to an artist’s problem. We all create a masterpiece but as artists, it’s extremely difficult to then switch to business mode. Use resources that work and try not to let the business mindset of the course dissuade you from pursuing writing as a lucrative profession!

4. Leverage Social Media

Social media is your best friend during a book launch! I use Instagram, Facebook, and even TikTok to showcase behind-the-scenes content. I share everything from sneak peeks of the illustrations to personal anecdotes about the writing process. Kids’ books thrive on visual platforms, so be sure to post bright, engaging images.

5. Email Your List

If you have an email list, now is the time to use it! I send a heartfelt message to my subscribers, letting them know that my new book is live and sharing a little about what inspired it. Make it personal and include links to where they can buy your book.

6. Offer a Limited-Time Discount

Who doesn’t love a deal? I usually offer a special launch price for the first few days. This helps boost early sales and can make your book more appealing to readers who are on the fence. Even better, set your book up to run for FREE for the first 5 days!

7. Ask for Reviews

Early reviews are crucial to getting your book off the ground. I gently remind readers to leave an honest review on Amazon or Goodreads. Positive reviews not only build credibility but also help with the all-important Amazon algorithms. I also recommend Pubby! Take a look at my book on Amazon. MOST of my reviews were gathered from Pubby and Goodreads!

8. Run Amazon Ads

How to market your book after KDP upload – I usually invest a little in Amazon ads to increase visibility. You don’t have to spend a fortune—sometimes just a small daily budget can help get your book in front of the right audience.

9. Keep the Momentum Going

A successful book launch doesn’t stop after the first week. I keep talking about my book for months! Whether it’s running another giveaway, sharing how the book is doing, or creating new content related to the themes of the story, staying engaged is key.

10. Reflect and Plan for the Future

Once the dust settles, I take time to reflect on the launch. What worked? What could have gone better? I keep notes so I can improve my process for the next book.

And there you have it! These are my go-to steps after uploading a manuscript to KDP. I hope these tips help you successfully market and launch your book. Remember, the hard work doesn’t end with hitting publish—but with the right plan, it can be a lot of fun!

Happy publishing!
Clara Harper