If you’re ready to step up your book marketing, an option you may not have considered before that can be very successful is video blogging.
You may be saying to yourself how getting the lighting just right, or making sure your hair is perfect, or even figuring out what your good side is can be a real hassle.
I totally understand that. But I can’t say enough how much I love the responses I get from video blogging. Why? It’s so engaging and always beats the other content I put out, so I highly recommend this fantastic book marketing strategy.
How much work is it?
Writing a blog and making a video blog is very similar, but believe it or not, video blogs involve less work.
Keep in mind that the most exciting and interesting video blogging content is less than 2 minutes.
There’s still some preparation you’ll need to do by deciding what you want to discuss. However, with video blogging you can eliminate all of the tasks of regular blogging like brainstorming and research, structuring your sentences, finding and using the right synonyms, adding photos, and editing and proofreading.
Convinced yet?
If saving time isn’t a sweet enough payoff, here are a few more benefits to adding video blogging to your author promotion:
1. A stronger connection with your audience
Video blogging is the most personal way to not only approach your author promotion but to connect with your readers. It’s a powerful method for turning your audience into a devoted fan base.
Did you know that 95% of book purchases are made on personal recommendations? Personal is the name of the game, so you must manage your author promotion that will best connect with your readers.
I was at a doctor’s office recently and the business cards out front were stunning black and white headshots of the doctors. I was so impressed by the psychology behind this, because it’s hard to throw away someone’s face, and putting a face to a name is such a memorable way to create a more significant impact.
2. Encouraging commenting and engagement
Online interaction through comments, discussion, and even debate has really grown lately. I’ll leave it at that.
Don’t worry about not getting responses, because I can tell you right now that people are even more likely to engage with you on a video blog than a written blog post.
It all goes back to personal recommendations. A reader who regularly interacts with you on your content is much more likely to recommend your work to a friend, family member or colleague since they’ve already invested time in you and are familiar with your content.
Author promotion is about expanding your reach, so increased engagement and the SEO value of commenting really provides a golden opportunity for raising your status.
3. Avoid editing and upload hassles
If you have a traditional blog, then you already know there are many more steps than just uploading the content.
Once it’s on your site, you need to adjust formatting, and then put in the images. On our blog, we’re very strict about following SEO and readability guidelines. It’s a real chore.
On the other hand, the great thing about video blogs is that once you’ve completed a video you’re happy with, all you have to do is upload it, put in some keywords, and you’re all done.
I love that sound of that, don’t you?
4. It gives you a break from writing and develops a new talent
I don’t know about you, but I write a lot. I write emails, I write blog posts, I write guest articles, I write books, and the list goes on and on. I’ll go out on a limb and say I’m satisfied that I know how to write.
Video blogging forces you to develop a new skill.
Not only does it teach you to be more communicative with your audience, but it’s an excellent technique for improving your public speaking skills so you’ll be more comfortable when doing live events. If you’re going to be doing any kind of lectures or author readings, this will definitely prepare you to be more natural and relaxed.
If you’re a non-fiction writer and trying to get more speaking gigs, video blogging is a great way to build your resume and gain experience.
I know making videos is different than standing in front of a live audience, but it will allow people to get a better sense of your personality, your delivery, and your charisma – which are all very important to the people considering you for their event.
5. You can post the same content across multiple channels
Authors who write blogs usually only have that content on their site. Of course, you’ll have the ability to share it on social media or newsletters, but that’s still just asking people to go to your site and read your post.
Video blogging presents the option for your author promotion to reach new channels.
It’s a given that your site will have the video blog on it, but there are so many other sources (both free and paid) for you to get that content on, which provides another way for your videos to be seen by a lot more people, especially if they’re unaware of your site.
Here’s a great list of options with details.
6. You can do it from anywhere
One of the things I love most about video blogging is that you’re not limited to recording in one specific place. I feel more relaxed and “in the moment” than I do planning out or rehearsing a video.
So I’ve recorded video at events and even on the weekends when I’m just out of the house somewhere I love or a setting that inspires an idea for content. (Each month I publish a list of content ideas that you’ll find of interest for social media content and video blogs!)
Another piece of advice for video blogging: use diversity to keep your viewers hooked. An interesting setting will give a fun and visually appealing aspect to your videos and also inspire you. Viewers may get bored seeing the same background over and over, so feel free to mix it up every so often.
Another benefit is that you can record on your phone or your tablet, which you’ll probably have with you anyway.
It’s really helpful and convenient, regardless if you’re at home, on vacation, or on a business trip. And you never have to worry about falling behind on any schedules. (Need to stay organized? Download my free monthly planner here!)
The takeaway
If you haven’t started a blog because you lack the time, or interest or inspiration, video blogging is the next best choice.
Once you’ve started doing it a few times, you’ll overcome any hesitation about being in front of the camera, like I have, and begin seeing the benefits pay off.
You can always do a few practice runs to start, by putting some video blogs up and monitoring the feedback you get. I think this will invigorate you and you’ll also develop an amazing skill that will help your book marketing.
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Penny Sansevieri, CEO and founder of Author Marketing Experts, Inc. (AME) and Adjunct Professor at NYU, is a best-selling author and internationally recognized book marketing and media relations expert. Her company is one of the leaders in the publishing industry and has developed some of the most cutting-edge book marketing campaigns. To learn more about Penny and AME, visit www.amarketingexpert.com.