I’m over at The Insecure Writer’s Support Group today, covering the pros & cons and dos & don’ts of audio books.
Marketing makes the world go around...
Writers love what they do, but most don't make much money at it... and we sure don't like marketing!
Marketing is a necessary evil - I need to sell books to justify writing more to my publisher. But it doesn't have to be an evil enterprise. I enjoy going to book events - it's where I sell the most books! I connect with readers and when that happens, they want to read the book.
But today, I want to give some advice for another way authors can connect with readers. VIDEO MARKETING! Now, don't go shrieking back to your den of anonymity. You don't have to show your face if you don't want to, though it will help if you face that fear. All you have to do is...
Read a Passage
from your book
To give you a little more help, I also have some suggestions to enhance your video reading, by genre...
Sci Fi/Fantasy - give your readers a sense of wonder
- you know how Star Wars starts - blam! then a super short background blurb about the world they're about to enter
- use a natural or fantastical background to go with your story
- dress the part
- edit "magic/technological wonder" into your reading
Romance/Women's Fiction/Historical - enrapture your readers with emotion
- introduce your reading with a short blurb about where the story came from, what moved you to write it
- can you relate to one of the characters, is one of them based on you? or someone you know?
- music can really enhance a dramatic scene
Thriller/Mystery/Horror - leave readers hanging in suspense!
- become the villain or hero in your reading (you could even wear a mask!)
- intro the scene with your blurb from the MC's POV
- pick a scene with big buildup and an awesome cliffhanger
- music enhances these exciting scenes too
YA/Children's/Humor - make readers LOL
- tell a joke
- have a young person read with/for you, or better yet, act it out!
- have a fake argument over who liked it more
- use puppets
- use funny voices
Here is some general advice for any video:
- Keep them short, 5 minutes or less is a good length
- Include the cover of your book and your links!
- Smile (or stay in character)
- Test it before you send it
- In all these videos, one thing is constant:
Don't be afraid to make a fool of yourself for your book!
We are here to entertain, educate, and encourage!
We want to get people interested in reading!
I've made videos in the past (BTW you can include viewing your video as part of a giveaway entry!) and I plan to make more this year. (here's my youtube channel)
But rather than bore you with more of me, I want to share this phenomenal example of how to reach readers - with a video review! Tonja Drecker is stepping out of a reader/writer comfort zone to make video reviews, and I was lucky enough that she chose to review CRADLE ROCK. Such an awesome gift! Check it out!!
So, are you ready to put yourself and your book out there??
The world is ready to enjoy it!
Thanks for hosting me, Diane! It was great fun and I even inspired myself to get to work on a new video! I hope you all are ready to start 2017 with a positive attitude - always a great beginning!
WELCOME BACK TO THE FOREST!
CRADLE ROCK, Beast World Book Two
by Tara Tyler
Gabe the goblin just saved his town Broken Branch Falls from splitting apart. He also revealed that humans--horrible creatures of myth and legend--may actually be part of their history! But seriously? Nah!
Now Ona, Gabe’s girlfriend, is headed thousands of miles away to Camp Cradle Rock for Spring Break seeking evidence of humans. Gabe knows better than to tell a stubborn ogress she’s crazy, so he’s letting her go and spending the break at the beach like a normal teenage beast. And he’s determined to have a good time without her, whether he likes it or not.
But when Gabe hears Ona went missing, he and his friends set out for the wilds of the west to find her, no matter what dangerous creatures get in his way. Not even humans.
Tara Tyler has had a hand in everything from waitressing to rocket engineering. After moving all over, she now writes and teaches math in Ohio with her three active boys and Coach Husband. Currently she has two series, Pop Travel (techno-thriller detective capers) and Beast World (fantasy adventures). To squeeze in writing, she economizes her time aka the Lazy Housewife. Make every day an adventure!Talk to me!
Author Blog ~~ @taratylertalks ~~ Facebook ~~ Housewives Blog
Sign up for my quarterly newsletter if you'd like to find out more and you could win something! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCybPmS63Y7oNit0qvykRw0Q
What great tips Diane and that wonderful book review of Tara's which I hope will be a huge success.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
I haven't really branched into video, aside from the odd interview, etc. Great tips here for keeping your genre's voice, even in video marketing.
ReplyDeleteI never heard of anyone marketing using video. But what a great idea. YouTube or other avenues could reach a whole different group of people. Thanks for a fantastic post.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to Tara. Video marketing is a great tool been meaning to try it out for a while. Off to IWSG now.
ReplyDeleteExcellent tips! I do dislike marketing, and I don't think I could bring myself to be in front of a video camera, but maybe if I had my kid read something for me! Hehehe.
ReplyDeleteThese are some nice tips Tara. Marketing has many avenues and video marketing is a good option.
ReplyDeleteAs I reader, I can see how it would be engaging to see the author read their blurb or chapter. As an author--it terrifies me! :)
ReplyDeleteI actually did a video review of a comic, but never uploaded it because I must have said 'it's cute' about a million times and that made me cringe.
ReplyDeleteI haven't done a video because I don't have the means to make one! I'm such a dinosaur!!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Tara. I never thought about video marketing beyond book trailers. A great idea. Marketing is the pits.
ReplyDeleteGreat vid! And great idea!
ReplyDelete'Lo, Di:)
ReplyDeleteI don't think I could do an actual in-person video. Might have to get creative for that one.
ReplyDeleteI have yet to do video marketing but I do want to record myself doing a book reading. I just haven't done it yet. lol
ReplyDeleteVideos are a great way to do reviews and stir interest. People like to see others in action and hear their voices. This was great.
ReplyDeleteInteresting ideas. I've done a book trailer, but never thought of making a marketing video.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post.
Awesome tips and liked the video.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this post.
Thanks for the insight and info, Tara! Diane, appreciate you hosting this week. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat advice! Everyone loves to be read to - and it's not that scary once you've done it once or twice :)
ReplyDeleteI've done a short video about myself and I could easily do more to market. Helps to be a professional speaker and one who had done countless TV interviews. LOL
ReplyDeleteVideo book reviews look like so much fun. Neat idea.
ReplyDeletelook at all these awesome visitors! I hope to see videos from you all in the future !!
ReplyDeletethank you so much! i'll be stopping by your blogs to visit and get to know you all better too =)
thank you so much for having me and helping me with my cradle rock release party Diane !!
There's new ways opening all the time. Good tips from Tara!
ReplyDeleteTara, I often say that marketing should be taught at the high school level all across the country – – or the world. Success depends on it! And it is already part of our everyday lives, so we might as well understand it.
ReplyDeleteSolid, helpful advice. I could and probably should do more of this. My video bit posted on my blog has done pretty well. I agree in starting off with a joke too - always a good move. Thank you, Diane and Tara.
ReplyDeleteBe well, ladies.
Oops, I wanted to also say thank you, Tonja! Nice review.
ReplyDeleteSuper tips. Thanks for sharing and Happy New Year!! Wishing you success and happiness.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to market your book. Thanks for that tip.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips, Tara. Video marketing sounds like an intriguing way to go. It has wonderful possibilities.
ReplyDeleteNo doubt this is good advice. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
I read a piece today and it was so easy to read and enjoyable at cleemkenzie blog. I'm beginning to realise intellectualizing can be boring - its all about sweeping us up in a whirlwind of emotions which you have Tara!
ReplyDeleteI'm just starting to learn about marketing and found the idea of doing videos fascinating. I'm glad to know they can still be effective without appearing on screen yourself. Cheers - Ellen
ReplyDeleteI pit-stopped over to IWSG. Fascinating post.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cover, Tara! Congrats on another great book. You rock!
ReplyDeleteHave a great one:)
ReplyDeleteYes, Tara made it look easy, but she also made me believe I could do it. Congratulations, Tara. Hi Diane!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely love the idea of video marketing and the review video by Tonja is great! Congratulations Tara and thanks for the tips Diane.
ReplyDeleteTara, it's been my pleasure.
ReplyDeleteRobyn, if you did a video, it would be a riot.
Thank you, Sandra.
Great tips, Tara! I admit I'm a bit terrified of creating videos, but I keep "thinking" about it. I'll get there, eventually - when everyone else has gone 3-D and surround sound with a newer technology. :)
ReplyDeleteDespite my previous comment, I had a moment of creative madness and made a short video of . . . well, the cat of a writer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70hsiaAtKjs
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea. I'll have to seriously consider it. Certainly wouldn't hurt.
ReplyDeleteGreat marketing tips Tara. I'm going to bookmark this page.
ReplyDeleteSuper tips, Tara! Is it awful if I admit I'm relieved I never have to go to book events (since I live in Egypt)? Speaking in front of people isn't my thing. But I do a lot of online stuff to make up for it. ;)
ReplyDeleteSorry, Diane! I didn't realize you were the author of those super-tips!
ReplyDeleteLexa, they were Tara's tips. My post is at the IWSG site.
ReplyDeletethanks again, Diane for having me - and i read your post at iwsg - those were super tips too!
ReplyDeletei'm still visiting around, peeps! really appreciate all your support!
Tara Tyler Talks
What perfect timing. I'm trying to figure out how to market my book in 2 months.
ReplyDeleteAnd good luck to Tara Tyler!
Awesome tips! Thanks a bunch!
ReplyDeleteHope your day was a good one, Di.
ReplyDeleteTara, that was great the way you broke down info by genres.
Good marketing tips. I used to post a lot about marketing, but I guess I've gotten caught up in diversion of late. But as you indicate, marketing does indeed pervade our entire lives.
ReplyDeleteArlee Bird
Tossing It Out
'Don't be afraid to make a fool of yourself for your books.' Well said:)
ReplyDeleteHi, Di:)
I have to say, I'd never thought of that. Great advice!
ReplyDelete