If you design for children, it's obvious what your work is for, but what is your website's purpose?
This issue is often left unanswered, and illustrators and authors of children's books return to the simplest of their content, seeking to please everyone; however, they end up attracting only a few.
Knowing who your visitors are and why they are visiting will be the basis for the content you put on your site. NY Publishers Provides tips to help create relevant content for your targeted audiences.
Give kids fun activities to play with
Make sure to add some interesting things for children to your site, including hyperlinks to download games and free things. I recently spoke with Lian Tanner, the author of The Keepers Trilogy, about her website, which is dedicated to freebies for children.
"In my experience, children love additional things - such as free bookplates, quizzes, and parts of the story that didn't make the final novel," Lian said. "It's a way of engaging even more with a book or series they've loved, taking something away with them, providing a bit of story-after-the-story."
Provide fun things for children to do
Make sure to add some interesting things for children to your site, including the ability to download and download activities and free things. I recently talked to Lian Tanner, the author of The Keepers Trilogy, about her site with freebies and games for kids...
"In my experience, kids appreciate extras like free bookplates, games, and stories that didn't make the final book," Lian said. "It's a way of engaging even more with a book or series they've loved, taking something away with them, providing a bit of story-after-the-story."
Tell your story in visual form.
For young audiences, promote curiosity through images. New Zealand-based YA author Cath Mayo tells her life story through huge personal photographs.
"I think engaging with a site is an extremely visual process," Cath says.
"I've utilized this method a lot on my website, particularly in my "About Me" section, "Thirteen interesting things about me," and for my "The Greek Bronze Age' page and "Odysseus's Dagger"."
Answer frequently asked questions.
Rainbow Rowell, author of Fangirl, the Inky Awards shortlisted, Fangirl is featured on a short About page. However, she also utilizes a (humorous) FAQ page for fans to offer brief information and hyperlinks to further reading.
Present the artwork and letters that you receive from your young readers.
Chrissie Perry has created a page where children can send notes to Penelope Penelope, the most popular character from her children's books. When children send in their letters, Chrissie publishes them on her website, which is accessible to all.
Let the hassle of hiring you to conduct school visits.
Teachers at schools are always seeking speakers, particularly around Book Week. Include a page on your website that outlines your speaking events in depth. Children's authors don't want to sound like a salesperson. Your bookings could be more effective if you think like a salesperson.
Speaking events at school are usually connected to a particular theme or course. Authors of books are also librarians across all levels of the year. Make sure that teachers and librarians know that your book or workshop corresponds to the curriculum of schools and which year levels it is appropriate for.
Create content that can be shared with many different types of
If you're an artist, your website isn't only for kids, teachers, and parents. It's for prospective customers, Publishers, and other authors.
Incorporating your work-in-progress drawings will give people an incentive to follow you and gives them an insight into your work. Allow people to access your workspace. The illustrator and author from Melbourne, Anne Ryan, produced a video that invites visitors to visit her workspace.
"I created the video to draw the attention of publishers by displaying my professional dedication to my profession as an illustrator/author."
"Through my experience in the schools, I was able to see that teachers were seeking small grabs of information to give to their students that wouldn't be a lengthy session."
"Students are fascinated by the research they can do on YouTube. Videos are accessible and can quickly provide information using this video platform ."
By investing some time in the video, Anne could create an educational piece that inspires children, aids schools to book school visits, and earns more illustration commissions.
"The film has proven to be an extremely successful tool in increasing my visibility and promoting my work on various media."
Children love music. You can add a soundtrack to your book or website.
Emily has a song specifically written for her book "The Side'. Side', performed by Tim Reid and Emma Heeney. Tim gives guitar instruction to help you master the basics of chords and strumming. The lyrics, as well as the guitar chords, are at The back of this book.
Be clear about the principles that drive your work.
Another segment of your market could be parents who buy the books they want for their kids and their friends.
Simon Sinek, author, and motivational speaker suggests that people buy from what they believe in, not the things they sell. Subtly, weave your beliefs into your biographical details. If you can present your worldview and values to like-minded people, they will be drawn to your work. Parents don't buy books to entertain their children. They are valuable tools for children's development and teach them valuable life lessons.