You wrote a book in the in-between spaces: nap time, the pickup line, late-night feeding sessions, and the rare quiet moments when the house didn’t feel like a war zone. You did it. You wrote an entire novel while raising kids.
That is a superpower.
But now? You’re being told that finishing the book was just the beginning. Welcome to marketing — the part of the journey most moms dread.
You’ve likely been bombarded with advice like:
- “Build your platform!”
- “Post three times a day on TikTok!”
- “You need a sales funnel, a brand strategy, and paid ads!”
Who has time for that? You’re already running a household, raising small humans, and maybe holding down a job too. You need realistic marketing for your life — not another full-time job.
So let’s simplify.
🤯 Step 1: Define Your Version of Success
Forget bestseller lists, launch week pressure, and what some stranger on a podcast said. You don’t need to hit #1 to win.
What does success look like for you?
- 100 true fans who read every book you write?
- $200/month in passive book income?
- A way to process your story and reach others?
- Building a backlist for future royalties?
You’re allowed to aim smaller, deeper, and slower. In fact, that might just work better in the long run.
📱 Step 2: Pick One Platform (and Master It Slowly)
Don’t try to do Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and Threads.
Pick one platform where your target reader already hangs out. Master it. Then maybe add another later.
Fiction for Moms? Start with one of these:
- Instagram: Focus on reels, quotes, or your writing journey.
- Pinterest: Moms still pin. Add your book cover, quotes, blog links.
- Email: A tiny but mighty list can do more than 1,000 followers.
💭 Time tip: Batch content on Sunday nights and schedule it. Tools like Buffer or Later help.
📅 Step 3: The “Microburst Marketing” Method
Busy moms don’t need a full calendar. Just microbursts of consistent action:
| Day | Task |
|---|---|
| Monday | Share a quote from your book or WIP |
| Tuesday | DM two moms who might enjoy your story |
| Wednesday | Pin your book cover or quote on Pinterest |
| Thursday | Send a 3-line email to your list or post on Substack |
| Friday | Post a writing win or “mom author moment” story |
30 minutes a day is enough. That’s a laundry cycle or a school pickup line.
🛎️ Step 4: Build a Gentle Funnel (That Works While You Cook Dinner)
Let’s demystify the word “funnel.”
It just means:
Stranger → Reader → Email Subscriber → Fan
Here’s your mom-friendly funnel:
- Discovery: They find you via a pin, post, or story.
- Hook: You offer a freebie (bonus chapter? deleted scene?)
- Connection: A simple welcome email tells them who you are.
- CTA: Invite them to buy, review, or follow your journey.
Tools that help:
You can run this funnel in the background while doing dishes. And it’s enough.
📗 Step 5: Polish Your Amazon Book Page (Don’t Sleep On This!)
Think of your Amazon page as your book’s 24/7 salesperson. It needs to:
- Hook readers in the first 2 lines
- Make them FEEL something
- Be easy to skim (bullets + short paragraphs)
- End with a CTA like “Buy now” or “Look inside”
And yes, categories and keywords matter. Use Publisher Rocket to optimize those. It’s a great tool with long-term payoff.
Hot Tip: Read your top 3 favorite books in your genre and study their blurbs. What made you click? What emotional words did they use?
🎓 Author Homework (You Can Do in 10-Minute Bursts):
- Create 3 Canva quote graphics for your book
- List 5 potential freebies (bonus scene, deleted chapter, mini-guide)
- Write a 3-line “about me” intro you can use everywhere
- DM one reader and ask what they love about the genre
- Sign up for BookFunnel and test sending your file to yourself
You don’t need a course. You need momentum.
💌 Step 6: Build an Email List (That Doesn’t Stress You Out)
You’ve probably heard it: “Your email list is gold.” That’s true. But only if it fits your life.
Here’s a minimalist approach:
- Start with MailerLite (free and mom-friendly)
- Offer a freebie (sample chapter, deleted scene, or printable)
- Write once a week or even once a month
Simple Email Formula:
- Subject Line: Something real, not clickbait (“What I almost deleted today”)
- A short story or insight from your life or writing
- A mention of your book or freebie
- A kind invitation to buy or share
That’s it. Keep it casual, keep it honest. Moms appreciate real more than polished.
📲 Step 7: Free (or Cheap) Tools That Actually Work
| Tool | Why It’s Great for Moms |
| Canva Pro | Create pro-looking graphics in minutes |
| BookFunnel | Share your book with ease, even to non-techy readers |
| StoryOrigin | Swap newsletters with other authors and grow your list |
| Buffer/Later | Schedule social posts while the kids nap |
| Publisher Rocket | Find keywords and categories that boost sales |
None of these require constant management. You can do it all in one batch session.
✨ Step 8: Use Book Reviews the Smart Way
Book reviews build social proof. But asking for them can feel weird. Try this:
- Include a line in the back of your book: “If this story made you feel something, would you take a moment to leave a review? Even one sentence helps me more than you know.”
- Send one gentle reminder via email a week after purchase/download
- Join book review groups on Facebook (some allow swaps if noted)
And remember: one heartfelt review can do more than 100 likes.
⛔️ What Not To Waste Time On
You don’t have hours to burn. So skip:
- ❌ Shiny launch promo packages from random sites
- ❌ TikTok trends you hate
- ❌ Fancy websites before you’ve sold your first 100 books
- ❌ Comparing yourself to authors with teams
Instead, do less. Do it well. And do it your way.
🌟 Final Thoughts: Your Book Matters. So Does Your Energy.
You wrote a novel in the middle of a full, chaotic, emotional life. That is rare. That is sacred.
Marketing doesn’t need to consume you. It can be small, slow, soulful. Let your strategy match your life, not fight it.
Connect. Share. Be kind to yourself. And trust this:
Your right readers are out there. And they’re waiting to find you.
📄 Free Download
Want a quick reference you can glance at between laundry loads?
✅ Download the Busy Mom Book Marketing Checklist (PDF)
Small actions. Big results. One page at a time.
