There are a variety of programs on TV and radio that interview writers but getting booked on those shows takes a lot of hard work, persistence and knowing how to correctly pitch show producers. Up until recent times, a major advantage of signing a distribution deal with one of the few remaining large publishing houses was their in-house promotion staff and how they would work to promote you and your writing. Too bad, from what I hear, they’re not even doing that now unless you are already a huge recognized name in the writing world.
So what’s the less-than-world-famous writer to do? What about using online video to publicize yourself?
(I use the term “book” a lot in these tips but just substitute the word article, script etc if your project isn’t a book)
1) If your book ties somehow into a popular hobby, sport, profession, location, time period, etc, create a short video of you talking about why you selected that particular activity or place to include in your book, what interested you about it, what cool tidbits did you uncover while researching it etc…then reach out to all the forums, blogs, and Web sites covering that particular topic and let them know about your video (and book of course).
Ask permission to upload your video to their site…but make sure, as for all of these tips, that your video includes clear information on your book’s title, its author and where viewers can find more information.
2) True Life Books – create a video of you talking about things that might have been super interesting but were left out of the book for whatever reason. If it involves another person, interview them on camera.
3) This one is more for writers that have created popular characters but I will throw it out there anyways; Character Breakdown Videos. Writers often create very detailed biographies of their main characters. For your fans it would be very cool to get access to all those meaty details that influenced your character’s choices but perhaps never explicitly made it into print.
4) Writer-To-Writer. Both amateur and professional writers seem crazed about learning each others writing process. When and where do you write, how long do you write each day, hand-write or type, did you use any writing or outlining software and so on. This technique may not drawn in large crowds of new readers but it might make you a rising star among your peers and that’s not so bad.
5) Book Trailers. I’ve been seeing more and more of these on TV and the concept could easily be carried over to YouTube. They look and sound like movie trailers but are actually promos for books. Watch out that yours doesn’t turn into a cheesy production but have fun with it. Along the same lines, if you are writing fiction some of the more dramatic moments in your book might make for an interesting scene or two for some local actors to turn into a clip for you.
Actors are always auditioning with monologues and scenes that casting people have seen/heard a thousand times before. That can be a disadvantage to the actor looking to stand out and make a positive impression. Your book could offer thespians new scene material they can include in their demo reel even though your original wording may have to be adapted slightly to work “on film.” Ask around; a local video director might take this project on as great side project for themselves.
6) Does your non-fiction book have something in it that’s easier to actually see in action than it is to describe in words? Why not a short “how to” video that can be a great value-add for your book if buyers know they can get free access to this additional material?
7) Behind The Scenes. If you are just starting out on your book, why not start a video series giving a behind the scenes glimpse into all the drama, sweat, tears and adventure that goes into getting your material into print. There’s a popular video series on YouTube of an animator trying to get his film made that did this to great effect. It’s building an audience for a book that hasn’t even be fully written yet; very very clever.
