Author School Visits 101: Children's Book Marketing from Udemy

In this course you'll learn how to create, prepare, present, and book school visits as a children's book author with confidence.

We'll cover these steps to create a children's book marketing foundation for a successful school visit event:

Section 1: INTRO &

Your children's book is written, published, or soon-to-be released and one of the best ways to get it in the hands of your young readers (and keep your book in print. ) is doing school visits. You've invested a lot of time, energy, and emotion into your book presenting at schools as a visiting author can ensure your book captures the spotlight.

By the end of this course you’ll be confident in knowing how to create your presentation that best fits your personality, your story, educator expectations, and your audience. You’ll also have all the tools you need to know on how to present with confidence and how to promote and book your school visits. Students who are dedicated author marketing beginners with a commitment to learning how to create, prepare, and present author school visit presentations will benefit most from this course.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction

An introduction to what you will learn in this course.

Presentation Goals

How to become a partners with educators

Understanding the United States' Common Core standards for any region or country you live in to partner more effectively with educators.

How to develop content that will fit in with classroom learning, connect to your personality, and engage students.

Narrow down your content and choose media formats.

Discover ways to connect and engage with students.

Discover the most effective presentation timing for students pre-school through teens.

Learn how to research and market school visits.

Learn what to include in a contract, what to charge, and insurance options.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Provides a foundation for authors to market their books through school visits, which can help increase book sales and visibility

Explores how to align presentations with Common Core standards, which can increase the appeal of author visits to educators

Covers contract negotiation and insurance options, which are essential for authors to protect themselves and their business

Includes guidance on virtual author visits via Skype/Zoom, which expands the reach of authors to schools beyond their local area

Requires authors to develop content that fits classroom learning, which may require additional effort to research and create

Reviews summary

Practical guide to author school visits

According to learners, this course provides practical, actionable advice for authors looking to market their children's books through school visits. Students found the content on how to create and structure engaging presentations particularly useful. Many highlighted the detailed sections covering the business aspects of school visits, such as setting fees, contracts, and insurance, which are often overlooked elsewhere. Reviewers consistently mentioned gaining increased confidence and feeling well-prepared to book and deliver successful visits. The course is seen as highly beneficial for beginners or those new to author marketing.

Highly recommended for those new to visits.

"As a beginner, this course gave me a solid foundation."

"Perfect for authors who haven't done school visits before."

"It covers everything you need to know to get started."

"Excellent starting point for anyone new to author marketing via schools."

Guidance on structuring engaging visits.

"The advice on structuring the presentation and engaging students was spot on."

"Learned how to tailor my visit to different age groups and time slots effectively."

"Helped me refine my existing presentation into something much more impactful."

"The tips for keeping kids engaged were very helpful."

Helps authors feel ready to present.

"I feel much more confident about approaching schools and giving a presentation now."

"This course really helped ease my anxiety about doing school visits."

"By the end, I felt like I had the tools and knowledge to actually do this."

"Gave me the confidence boost I needed to start booking visits."

Includes essential info on fees and contracts.

"The sections on setting fees, contracts, and insurance were incredibly valuable and hard to find elsewhere."

"Finally! A course that tackles the business side of author visits, not just the presentation."

"Learning about pricing and what to include in a contract felt essential."

"I appreciated the clear breakdown of the financial and legal considerations."

Offers concrete steps for school visits.

"This course is full of practical actionable advice that can be implemented immediately."

"Lots of practical tips and helpful information about setting up and presenting author school visits."

"I feel much more confident and prepared after going through the practical steps outlined."

"Provides a step-by-step guide that makes the whole process seem manageable."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Author School Visits 101: Children's Book Marketing with these activities:

Review 'The Business of Being a Writer' by Jane Friedman

Show steps

Understand the business side of being an author, including marketing and contracts, to better prepare for school visits and related negotiations.

View The Business of Being a Writer, Second Edition... on Amazon

Show steps

Obtain a copy of the book.
Read the sections on marketing and contracts.
Take notes on key takeaways relevant to school visits.

Review Common Core Standards

Show steps

Familiarize yourself with Common Core standards to tailor your presentations to align with educational objectives.

Show steps

Research the Common Core standards for your target grade levels.
Identify connections between your book and the standards.
Note how your presentation can support these standards.

Develop a Sample Presentation Outline

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Create a detailed outline of your school visit presentation, including key talking points, activities, and visual aids.

Show steps

Brainstorm engaging activities for students.
Structure your presentation with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
Incorporate interactive elements and Q&A sessions.

Four other activities

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Practice Presentation Delivery

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Rehearse your presentation multiple times to improve your delivery, timing, and confidence.

Show steps

Record yourself presenting and review the footage.
Practice in front of a mirror or with a friend.
Time your presentation to ensure it fits within the allotted time.

Review 'Self-Publishing for Dummies' by Jason R. Rich

Show steps

Gain a better understanding of the self-publishing process to effectively market your book and school visit services.

View Self-Publishing For Dummies (For Dummies:... on Amazon

Show steps

Obtain a copy of the book.
Read the sections on marketing and promotion.
Identify strategies for reaching schools and educators.

Design a School Visit Marketing Package

Show steps

Develop a professional marketing package to send to schools, including a presentation outline, author bio, and testimonials.

Show steps

Create a visually appealing brochure or PDF.
Write a compelling author bio highlighting your experience.
Include testimonials from previous school visits.

Attend Education Conferences

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Network with educators and school administrators at education conferences to promote your school visit services.

Show steps

Research upcoming education conferences in your area.
Prepare a short elevator pitch about your school visits.
Collect contact information from interested educators.

Career center

Learners who complete Author School Visits 101: Children's Book Marketing will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Children's Book Author

A children's book author creates stories that captivate young readers. This course is directly relevant to a children's book author because it focuses on marketing books through school visits. It covers essential aspects such as creating engaging presentations tailored to different age groups, understanding educational standards, and effectively connecting with students. By learning how to present their work in schools, a children's book author can boost book sales, build a readership, and keep their books in print. The course covers preparing for visits, marketing, and contracts, all vital for successful school visits.

See salaries and explore the career path for Children's Book Author

School Visit Coordinator

A school visit coordinator arranges and manages author visits to schools. This course would prove useful because it provides an insider's perspective on what authors need and expect during these visits. Understanding how authors prepare presentations, connect with students, and market their books helps a school visit coordinator create a seamless and effective experience for both the author and the school. The course's insights on contracts, fees, and insurance options can aid the coordinator in negotiating and managing author agreements. This role would include responsibilities in marketing and communication to ensure that the author's visit aligns with the school's educational goals and curriculum.

See salaries and explore the career path for School Visit Coordinator

Author Assistant

An author assistant provides administrative, creative, and personal support to an author. This course is very relevant for an author assistant who supports a children's book author. It directly addresses how to make school visits successful, which is a common marketing activity for children's book authors. The course teaches how to prepare presentations, engage students of various ages, and market school visits. The details on contracts, fees, and insurance will also assist the assistant in the business aspects such as marketing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Author Assistant

Book Publicist

A book publicist promotes books and authors to generate media attention and increase sales. This course is very relevant because it directly teaches how to create a successful school visit, a common way to market children's books. The course covers details of creating presentations, connecting with students, and understanding educational standards. All of this helps in booking and executing successful visits. School visits increase book sales and build the author's brand.

See salaries and explore the career path for Book Publicist

Children's Librarian

A children's librarian manages the children's section of a library and organizes programs for young readers. This course will be helpful to children's librarians who want to create successful author visit programs at their library. The course offers a detailed perspective on how authors prepare presentations, engage students, and market their books. A librarian can use this knowledge to create a smooth and effective event for the author and students. This also encompasses preparing for visits, marketing, and understanding presentation strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Children's Librarian

Marketing Manager

A marketing manager develops and executes marketing strategies for a company or organization. This course is relevant to a marketing manager working with a children's book author or publishing house. The course offers a comprehensive understanding of how to market books through school visits. It covers essential aspects such as creating presentations, engaging students, and preparing for visits. By learning how to promote and book school visits, the marketing manager can effectively increase book sales and build the author's brand.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Social Media Manager

A social media manager handles a company's or individual's social media presence. This course would be beneficial for a social media manager working with a children's book author. This course will inform the social media manager on how to leverage school visits to generate content, engage with audiences, and promote the author's work. Learning how authors connect with students, tailor presentations, and create interactive experiences will help with content creation. Preparing for visits, marketing, and getting direct feedback can help with social media strategy.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Media Manager

Event Planner

An event planner organizes and manages events for various clients. This course may be helpful for an event planner specializing in author events. The course provides a valuable perspective on the specific requirements and expectations of author school visits. Understanding how authors prepare presentations, engage students, and promote their books can help the event planner create successful and engaging events. The course details on preparing for visits, marketing, and contracts will help with logistics and planning.

See salaries and explore the career path for Event Planner

Education Consultant

An education consultant advises schools and educational organizations on curriculum development, teaching strategies, and author events. This course may be useful to an education consultant striving to enhance their understanding of author school visits. The course offers insights into how authors align their presentations with educational standards, engage students, and create meaningful learning experiences. This knowledge can help the education consultant recommend effective author programs to schools, and can also help integrate author visits into the curriculum. The course's focus on presentation development, student engagement, and marketing strategies will give the consultant a valuable perspective.

See salaries and explore the career path for Education Consultant

Education Liaison

An education liaison works to build relationships between schools, families, and community organizations. This course may prove to be useful to an education liaison because it provides insights into how authors can connect with students and schools. Understanding how authors tailor presentations to different age groups, engage students, and align their work with educational standards will help the liaison facilitate successful author visits. The course's content on presentation development, student engagement, and marketing may also be useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Education Liaison

Curriculum Developer

A curriculum developer designs and creates educational materials for schools and other institutions. This course may be useful for a curriculum developer by providing insights into integrating author visits into the curriculum. Understanding how authors connect their books to educational standards, engage students, and create interactive presentations can help the curriculum developer design lesson plans and activities that complement author visits. The course's emphasis on presentation timing, content development, and student engagement will give the curriculum developer a valuable perspective on how to leverage author visits for educational purposes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Curriculum Developer

Content Creator

A content creator develops engaging written, visual, or multimedia content for different platforms. This course may prove useful because it provides insights into how to create content around author visits. Understanding how authors prepare presentations, engage students, and tailor their messages to different audiences will help the content creator develop compelling and effective materials. The course will help content creators understand what's going on behind-the-scenes at school visit events.

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Public Relations Specialist

A public relations specialist manages the reputation of a company or individual. This course may be useful for a public relations specialist working with a children's book author. The course provides insights into how to create a positive image and generate media coverage through school visits. Understanding how authors connect with students, tailor presentations to different audiences, and engage in community outreach can help the public relations specialist craft effective messaging. The course's focus on presentation skills, marketing, and public engagement can help build a strong relationship between the author and their audience.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Relations Specialist

Literacy Specialist

A literacy specialist works to improve reading and writing skills in students of all ages. The course could be helpful for a literacy specialist because it provides insights into how authors can inspire a love of reading through school visits. Understanding how authors engage students, tailor presentations to different age groups, and connect stories to educational standards helps the literacy specialist integrate author visits into literacy programs. The course's content on presentation development, student engagement, and utilizing different media formats can help literacy specialists craft effective and engaging learning experiences focused on a given author's books.

See salaries and explore the career path for Literacy Specialist

Freelance Writer

A freelance writer produces content on a variety of topics for various clients. This course may be useful to a freelance writer, especially one who focuses on educational content or author profiles. The course offers insights into the world of children's book author school visits. Understanding how authors connect with students, tailor presentations, and market themselves can help the writer create compelling articles or blog posts. The course's focus on presentation development, student engagement, and marketing strategies provides a valuable perspective.

See salaries and explore the career path for Freelance Writer

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Author School Visits 101: Children's Book Marketing.

The Business of Being a Writer, Second Edition

Save

Provides a comprehensive overview of the business aspects of being a writer, including marketing, contracts, and finances. It's particularly useful for authors looking to understand the practical side of publishing and promoting their work. It offers valuable insights into building a sustainable writing career, which is essential for authors planning school visits as a marketing strategy. This book is commonly used by authors to better understand the business side of writing.

The Business of Being a Writer, Second Edition...

Kindle Edition

Self-Publishing For Dummies

Save

Provides a comprehensive guide to self-publishing, covering everything from editing and formatting to marketing and distribution. While not directly focused on school visits, it offers valuable insights into the overall publishing process, which can help authors better understand how to promote their books and reach a wider audience. It's particularly useful for authors who are new to self-publishing and want to learn the basics. This book is helpful as a reference text.

Self-Publishing For Dummies (For Dummies: Learning...

Paperback

Self-Publishing For Dummies

Paperback

Self-Publishing For Dummies

Kindle Edition