Visibility: Helping Readers Find You 

On January 5, 2026, I wrote a blog titled, Your Distribution Path: Where and How To Sell Your Book which is certainly a way to be visible to readers; however, visibility goes beyond that. People have often asked me what is the hardest thing about writing a children’s book and I tell them that it wasn’t the writing itself and everything that comes with that like all of the editing (although there were challenges, don’t get me wrong) and quite possibly trying to decide if I should go through a POD company, or having a printing company print my book, but it was the challenges of getting visibility of me as an author, and my book. Following the pre-launch party, the focus shifted to increasing visibility and reaching new readers beyond friends and family.

Traditionally, when a reader wants a book, they go to their local bookstore, or they jump on Amazon or some other platform and they find the author or the name of the book they are looking for, and they buy the book. But, what happens if you are a self-publisher, or you used a printing company to print your book, and you are doing the marketing yourself? How do you become and continue to be visible? Before we can answer that question, we need to consider the many elements that contribute to success as an author.

When a reader requests your book at a bookstore or through another third-party retailer, there’s a trade-off to consider. On one hand, your profit margin per sale is smaller because the retailer takes a portion. On the other hand, the exposure and visibility you gain can be a significant advantage, helping new readers discover your work. While you earn less per book in these scenarios, the potential to reach a wider audience and attract long-term followers often makes it a worthwhile investment in your author career. That’s why many authors find it helpful to balance sales through bookstores and third-party retailers with direct sales from their own website or events—earning a higher profit per book while still maintaining opportunities for visibility and growth.

Revenue and profit margins are the most obvious ways to measure a book’s success, but there are other, less tangible benefits to consider. Most bookstores aren’t aware of self-published books unless they’re actively advertised or requested. When a reader expresses interest in a book, however, the store is more likely to order copies for its shelves. This not only increases the chances that other customers will discover and purchase the book while browsing, but it can also lead to additional restocking if the book proves popular.

The same principle applies to libraries. While an author doesn’t earn much from a library purchase, having a book available in circulation provides exposure to many more readers. Some library patrons may even check out a copy and later purchase their own if they enjoy it.

Getting a book on the shelf—whether at a bookstore or a library—is a win for an author. Many self-published books only make it to shelves if an author or a local reader submits a personal request. For self-published authors, that outreach can feel overwhelming, especially while juggling writing, editing, publishing, and marketing tasks. Interestingly, a reader’s request is often more effective than an author’s own, making it a subtle but powerful way to increase visibility.

Even though these opportunities may not result in the highest royalties, the exposure gained from having a book physically present in stores or libraries can be invaluable. Improving visibility in this way supports authors in ways that are harder to quantify but can have a lasting impact.

For self-published authors, building visibility requires a combination of strategic exposure and smart sales planning. Selling through multiple channels—your own website, online retailers, local bookstores, and libraries—can help you reach different audiences while balancing profit margins. Direct sales from your website often provide higher earnings per book, while third-party retailers and library placements offer broader exposure that can attract long-term readers. Social media, blogging, email newsletters, and virtual events can further extend your reach, allowing you to connect with readers personally and promote your work without relying solely on sales. Additionally, local outreach, such as author readings, school visits, or partnerships with community organizations, can generate both visibility and sales in meaningful ways. By combining these approaches, authors can grow their readership, maintain some control over profit, and steadily increase their presence in the literary marketplace.

Visibility doesn’t happen by accident—it’s built through consistent, intentional choices. For self-published authors, the key is finding a balance between gaining exposure and maintaining profitable sales. This often means using a mix of platforms and strategies rather than relying on just one approach.

One of the most effective ways to increase visibility while protecting profit is by diversifying where and how your book is sold. Direct sales through your website, events, or school visits typically offer the highest profit per book. At the same time, third-party retailers, bookstores, and libraries provide a broader reach and introduce your work to readers who may not have found you otherwise. Each channel serves a different purpose, and together they create a stronger overall presence.

Digital platforms also play a major role in visibility. Blogging, social media, podcasts, and YouTube appearances allow authors to share their voice, expertise, and story without directly selling in every interaction. These platforms help readers get to know you and build trust over time. When readers feel connected to an author, they are more likely to support their work—whether by purchasing a book, sharing it with others, or recommending it to a library or bookstore.

Local and community-based opportunities are often overlooked but can be incredibly powerful. Author readings, school visits, book clubs, libraries, and partnerships with local businesses or organizations help establish credibility and create word-of-mouth exposure. These interactions are personal and memorable, often leading to direct sales as well as long-term reader loyalty.

Email newsletters are another valuable visibility tool. Unlike social media, newsletters allow you to communicate directly with readers who have already shown interest in your work. Sharing updates, behind-the-scenes insights, and personal reflections keeps readers engaged and encourages repeat support without relying on constant promotion.

Ultimately, visibility is about showing up consistently and meeting readers where they already are. Not every strategy will result in immediate sales, and not every sale will generate maximum profit—but each effort contributes to long-term growth. By combining exposure-focused strategies with profit-focused opportunities, self-published authors can steadily build both an audience and a sustainable author career.

Children’s book authors often connect with readers in uniquely personal ways—through families, classrooms, libraries, and community spaces. Visibility in this space is less about aggressive marketing and more about showing up consistently where children, parents, and educators already gather. The checklist below is designed to help you, as a  children’s book author, focus on meaningful, age-appropriate strategies that build trust, excitement, and long-term readership while still supporting book sales.

Visibility Checklist for Children’s Book Authors:

•  Maintain an author website that is colorful, welcoming, and easy for parents and educators to navigate on a phone, laptop or tablet.
  
•  Include a blog or updates section that shares your author journey, book news, or behind-the-scenes glimpses of your stories.
  
•  Offer direct book sales through your website or at events such as school visits, festivals, and author readings.
  
• Make your book available through third-party retailers to increase discoverability beyond your personal network.
  
•  Encourage parents, teachers, and librarians to request your book at local bookstores and libraries.
  
•  Build relationships with schools, libraries, and literacy organizations for readings, classroom visits, or storytimes.
  
•  Share content on social media that appeals to parents and educators, such as reading tips, activities, or discussion ideas.
  
•  Create simple, child-friendly extras (coloring pages, activity sheets, bookmarks) to extend engagement beyond the book.
  
•  Build an email list for parents, educators, and supporters who want updates on new books and events.
  
•  Remember that consistency matters more than visibility everywhere—focus on a few platforms you can manage well.
  

Visibility doesn’t require perfection or constant promotion—it begins with simply showing up. Whether you choose to blog, connect with schools, partner with libraries, or share your journey online, each small step helps your story reach the readers it was meant for. Focus on consistency over comparison, and remember that meaningful visibility grows over time. Even when progress feels slow or unseen, your efforts are building connection, trust, and opportunity. Keep going, keep sharing, and trust that your work is finding its way into the hands and hearts of readers—one moment at a time.