Promoting children’s books with custom plush toys
| Sep, 20 , 22
Children’s books are one of the most riveting genres. You can let go of yourself and dive into the world of fantasy. Writing a children’s book is straightforward, but promoting it can be challenging. The months leading up to the book release are stressful, especially if you are a new author. There are so many books out there that it can be pretty challenging to stand out, and large publication houses do not give attention to new talents. The other route is self-publication; nobody will be a better champion for your book than you. But, it can cost a lot, and it might not leave you with much for promotion. Solution: custom plush toys. Well, you might discard the idea at once. But, let us finish making our point. It will amaze you how it can benefit you.
Stats:
- The market size of the Children’s books industry is $22.6 billion.
- We expect the market to grow at 2.2%. It has grown at 3.3% over the last five years.
- It grew faster than the overall economy.
- They are one of the household expenditures. It means people will buy them despite the economy.
How can custom plush toys help market your book?
- Everybody loves them:People love custom plush toys despite their age. They are cute, huggable, and help take the stress off. Promoting your book using them will get attention; it is not a regular phenomenon that people use them as marketing materials. Often, book publishing houses create generic items like bookmarks, pens, etc., in numbers for their promotional activities. Those items serve as a promotional tool, but accustomed people to seeing them. Plush toys for marketing offer a novelty factor.
- Excellent reading partners: Custom plush toys are superb reading partners for kids. When they read out loud with their stuffed friend, they improve their speech and confidence. It helps later parts of their growing up experience, like connecting more with their classmates.
- More relatable:Children have a rich imagination and can relate to a book and story more when they see characters as plush toys. It makes an incredible impression on them; they can remember the tale, teachings, and values for their whole life.
- Lovely merchandising for fans: custom plush toys will keep your book relevant for a long time because they are durable and last for years. People do not throw away a toy; they either give or donate to someone. Either way, they will serve as a reminder of your book.
- Extra revenue:If you are a book writer, chances are high that you have your website. Add a page for merchandise, and you can earn a few extra bucks by selling the plush toys. You can also sell them at less rate along with the book at seminars, book clubs, or conventions.
- Raise funds: Generating goodwill is critical for becoming a successful author. You can achieve it with custom plush toy fundraisers. Give the money to charities related to helping children.
Tips for creating custom plush toys:
- Focus on the quality:Marketing experts often tell business owners that custom merch serves as the face of the business. The same goes for custom plush toys; they are the face of your book. Children or parents will look at them and make a quick assessment. Ensure they can mesmerize in an instant. A professional designer can help create them that send the message across immediately.
- Use book characters: When you think of some of the top books in the world, you can find they have few main characters. The same goes with your book; create the plush toy (s) per your main characters. They should form a bond with the children or readers even before they pick up your books. Keep consistency with colors and branding.
- Know your limits:Remember, you are an author, not a designer. So avoid making the mistake of thinking you can create a custom plush toy design on your own. You can create a few rough diagrams, but leave it to the professionals. You do not want the plush toys to screaming - amateur. Weigh the options carefully. It might take a tremendous amount of time and effort. Here are a few tips:
- Consider the benefits of handing out the work to professionals. There are various custom plush toy manufacturers with in-house design experts. E.g., EverLighten has a team of graphic designers that helps create mesmerizing plush toys.
- Do not order many toys for the first time. If you do, you are likely to invest a lot of money and end up in a basement full of toys. Instead, order in small numbers and place the second order before you run out of the first batch.
- Do not skimp on samples: Even if you have an eye-catching toy design on paper or screen, you do not know how it would turn out in real life. Get a sample and see how they look and feel; test out with friends and acquaintances.
- Never neglect the branding: Ensure the custom plush contains information about your book, website, and social media profile; the ideal position is the bottom, so it does not interfere with the aesthetics.
- Avoid spending money on fancy accessories: You can make custom plush toys more attractive with accessories like caps, sunglasses, t-shirts, shoes, etc. However, they will increase the cost. It is better to stick with simple designs. Remember: your goal is to promote your book. If you become successful, you can use fancy accessories later.
Get your plush toys out there:
- Plan a workshop:One of the most effective ways to promote your book is to plan a workshop. A book reading session is good, and then move on to a Q&A. Carry the custom plush toys and handout to children; they will become attached and want them. Do not forget to use bold colors to make them more attractive.
- Approach local schools:Many schools are happy to support their local author and community. Call or email primary schools and ask them to provide a story time session or workshop. Use the plush toys as a thank-you gesture to the schools.
- Bookshops and library events:Many libraries and bookshops hold events for children. Look at their website’s events section to find out about upcoming events. If you find an event that would suit you as an author, get in touch with them.
- Attend book fairs or festivals: Do some research to find out about local book festivals. Plan because people book these fairs in advance. Take your books and custom plush toys to these events.
- Encourage people on social media: People spend a part of their day on social media, and it is a lovely tool to promote your book. Use contests and giveaway custom plush toys as prizes. Ask the parents to post the picture and tag the book. The best part: it is free. A handful of images can do wonders for your book.
Get designing:
Custom plush toys are lovely to promote your book and establish you as an author. However, creating custom plush toys takes years of expertise and experience. Choose a manufacturer that provides a wide range of options for size, materials, fillings, stitchings, accessories, etc. EverLighten has created custom plush toys for startups, large organizations, and individuals for over eighteen years.
Andrea Strandlien, the creator of Haphazards Game, was looking to manufacture custom plush toys according to the game character. After contacting several manufacturers, it disappointed them with the quality. Finally, they found EverLighten after going through numerous positive ratings on TrustPilot. The project was challenging because of manufacturing limitations. However, our team made the plush toys with exact specifications. The antlers of the plush toy were delicate; our shipping experts took extra care to prevent pressing. They were 100% satisfied with the quality and praised our creativity, hard work, and attention to detail.
Read the complete story https://everlighten.com/blogs/success-stories/success-story-haphazards-games-custom-plush-toy.
Promote with EverLighten:
- Best pricing: We are a dedicated factory for producing custom plush toys and not intermediaries; customers always get the best price.
- Quality without a compromise: We use premium-quality materials and the latest processes.
- Fast turnaround time: We provide the quickest delivery for every order.
- 24*7 support: you can contact us anytime; our team provides round-the-clock support.
- Real people, phenomenal service: EverLighten loves helping and offers various options for every item.
- Free design help and unlimited customization: the custom plush toys will look as you imagined; we provide endless customization.
- No MOQ requirement: you can order as many toys as you need; we accept orders without a minimum limit.
- Worldwide shipping: we deliver worldwide; customers can track their orders anytime with an order tracking tool.
For more information and inquiries, visit EverLighten.com.
Source: The blog first appeared on “https://www.theinspirespy.com/promoting-childrens-books-with-custom-plush-toys/” and was created by EverLighten’s team and published with our permission as a part of the customer outreach program.
FAQs:
How do you make plushies marketable?
There are several key strategies to make your plushie marketable:
Design:
- Unique and appealing: Create a design that stands out from the competition, with captivating features and a recognizable identity.
- Target audience: Research and understand your audience's interests and preferences to tailor your design accordingly.
- Emotional connection: Elicit positive emotions and feelings through your design, making the plushie relatable and desirable.
- Quality materials: Use high-quality materials that are soft, durable, and safe, ensuring a long-lasting product.
Branding and Marketing:
- Strong brand identity: Develop a clear and consistent brand identity that resonates with your target audience.
- Compelling story: Create a compelling story behind your plushie, adding depth and meaning to your brand.
- Effective marketing: Utilize various marketing channels to reach your target audience, including online marketplaces, social media, and influencer collaborations.
- Professional presentation: Showcase your plushie in high-quality photos and videos, highlighting its features and benefits.
Pricing and Distribution:
- Competitive pricing: Set an attractive price for your target audience while ensuring profitability.
- Accessible distribution: Make your plushie available to your target audience through online stores, physical retailers, and partnerships.
- Limited editions: Consider creating limited-edition or exclusive plushies to increase demand and value.
Customer Engagement:
- Community building: Build a community around your plushie brand, fostering interaction and loyalty among your customers.
- Reward programs: Offer loyalty programs and discounts to incentivize repeat purchases and customer engagement.
- Feedback and improvement: Actively collect feedback to improve your product and brand.
Can you copyright a plush toy?
Yes, you can copyright a plush toy's design. Copyright protects the original expression of an idea, including the artistic features, shape, and character of the plushie. This protection prevents others from copying or reproducing your design without your permission.
Here are some steps to copyright your plush toy:
- Create a detailed description of your plushie design. It should include sketches, photographs, and other information relevant to the design's unique features.
- Register your copyright with the United States Copyright Office. You can do this online or by mail.
- Keep records of your design process and development. This documentation will be helpful if you need to prove your ownership of the copyright.
Are plush toys profitable?
The profitability of plush toys depends on several factors, including:
- Design and quality: Unique and high-quality designs are more likely to be profitable.
- Production costs: Lower production costs lead to higher profit margins.
- Marketing and advertising: Effective marketing increases sales and profitability.
- Pricing: Finding the right balance between price and affordability is crucial.
- Target audience: A niche audience with high demand can be more profitable.
