Comments on: 7 Reasons Why Writers Need To Start Using Video For Book Promotion http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2010/03/08/7-reasons-why-writers-need-to-start-using-video-for-book-promotion/ Adventures in Writing, Publishing and Book Marketing Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:56:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Gilly Fraser http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2010/03/08/7-reasons-why-writers-need-to-start-using-video-for-book-promotion/comment-page-1/#comment-28790 Gilly Fraser Mon, 12 Sep 2011 11:36:14 +0000 http://www.thecreativepenn.com/?p=3958#comment-28790 I think Jim's advice is both accurate - and excellent! I agree that many authors will be too shy to put themselves out there on video - but the opposite danger is that others will leap in unprepared and the resulting videos will reflect that. I was a TV reporter/presenter for many years, and now use some of the skills I learned to produce my own videos - haven't done any for my books yet, but that's high on the priority list. I just want to say thanks to Joanna as well - for being a fantastic source of advice and inspiration. Please keep up the good work Joanna! I think Jim’s advice is both accurate – and excellent! I agree that many authors will be too shy to put themselves out there on video – but the opposite danger is that others will leap in unprepared and the resulting videos will reflect that.
I was a TV reporter/presenter for many years, and now use some of the skills I learned to produce my own videos – haven’t done any for my books yet, but that’s high on the priority list.
I just want to say thanks to Joanna as well – for being a fantastic source of advice and inspiration. Please keep up the good work Joanna!

]]> By: Jim Ross http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2010/03/08/7-reasons-why-writers-need-to-start-using-video-for-book-promotion/comment-page-1/#comment-28112 Jim Ross Thu, 01 Sep 2011 13:16:20 +0000 http://www.thecreativepenn.com/?p=3958#comment-28112 As a professional Cinematographer I certainly agree that video is driving the Internet and you need a video presence more than ever. However, beware the temptation to just buy a cheap Flip camera and sit in front of it and jabber away. Doing it yourself on the cheap will make you look, well, cheap. These echo filled, vibrating, shaky videos are the equivalent of making business cards with crayons. They toss your credibility out the window. Think about it - is this a professional representation of you? No it is not. Now I am not saying you need to go to a studio and pay thousands of dollars, but you must do everything you can to up your production value. Hire a video pro. Or work with a student or someone who is just getting into the business. If doing it yourself, read and study about lighting. Use cameras with a mic that plugs in to get great sound. Choose a nice location like your study, a fireplace, or nice comfy chair. Pay attention to the background (i.e. don't have a reflective window behind you). It is all the little details that make for a good video. Most important is - do everything you can to get away from the "talking head" videos that most people turn off instantly, or never click on in the first place. Those are reserved for pimple faced teens talking about Lady Gaga and teen fashion. Probably NOT your audience. If you present yourself as a professional, people will take you more seriously. Success to you! Jim Ross Cinematographer As a professional Cinematographer I certainly agree that video is driving the Internet and you need a video presence more than ever. However, beware the temptation to just buy a cheap Flip camera and sit in front of it and jabber away. Doing it yourself on the cheap will make you look, well, cheap. These echo filled, vibrating, shaky videos are the equivalent of making business cards with crayons. They toss your credibility out the window.

Think about it – is this a professional representation of you? No it is not. Now I am not saying you need to go to a studio and pay thousands of dollars, but you must do everything you can to up your production value. Hire a video pro. Or work with a student or someone who is just getting into the business. If doing it yourself, read and study about lighting. Use cameras with a mic that plugs in to get great sound. Choose a nice location like your study, a fireplace, or nice comfy chair. Pay attention to the background (i.e. don’t have a reflective window behind you). It is all the little details that make for a good video. Most important is – do everything you can to get away from the “talking head” videos that most people turn off instantly, or never click on in the first place. Those are reserved for pimple faced teens talking about Lady Gaga and teen fashion. Probably NOT your audience.

If you present yourself as a professional, people will take you more seriously.

Success to you!

Jim Ross
Cinematographer

]]> By: 8 ways writers can make the most of online video http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2010/03/08/7-reasons-why-writers-need-to-start-using-video-for-book-promotion/comment-page-1/#comment-22902 8 ways writers can make the most of online video Sat, 30 Apr 2011 05:35:41 +0000 http://www.thecreativepenn.com/?p=3958#comment-22902 [...] Book sales are all about a human connection. If people know you and trust you, they are more likely to buy your book. Video is fantastic for creating an instant connection. When people see your face and your expression, when they hear your voice, they will make a decision as to whether they like you. The greatest proportion of communication is in non-verbal cues, which can’t be communicated in plain text. — Joanna Penn, 7 Reasons Why Writers Need to Start Using Video for Book Promotion [...] [...] Book sales are all about a human connection. If people know you and trust you, they are more likely to buy your book. Video is fantastic for creating an instant connection. When people see your face and your expression, when they hear your voice, they will make a decision as to whether they like you. The greatest proportion of communication is in non-verbal cues, which can’t be communicated in plain text. — Joanna Penn, 7 Reasons Why Writers Need to Start Using Video for Book Promotion [...]

]]> By: Loreen Leedy http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2010/03/08/7-reasons-why-writers-need-to-start-using-video-for-book-promotion/comment-page-1/#comment-19326 Loreen Leedy Sun, 06 Mar 2011 00:29:58 +0000 http://www.thecreativepenn.com/?p=3958#comment-19326 Excellent post, Joanna, am looking forward to reading your blog (came here via @CynLeitichSmith). I’m a picture book author-illustrator so have used my characters in trailers instead of being onscreen myself. I used my own voice, altered using Audacity. Here's one example. http://www.loreenleedy.com/books/crazytrailer.html Here's a tutorial post: http://thedustofeverydaylife.blogspot.com/2008/02/making-video-book-preview-trailer.html My two trailers have had over 2,000 views apiece without my doing any real marketing. I definitely need to make trailers for more of my books, thanks for the inspiration! Excellent post, Joanna, am looking forward to reading your blog (came here via @CynLeitichSmith). I’m a picture book author-illustrator so have used my characters in trailers instead of being onscreen myself. I used my own voice, altered using Audacity. Here’s one example.
http://www.loreenleedy.com/books/crazytrailer.html
Here’s a tutorial post: http://thedustofeverydaylife.blogspot.com/2008/02/making-video-book-preview-trailer.html

My two trailers have had over 2,000 views apiece without my doing any real marketing. I definitely need to make trailers for more of my books, thanks for the inspiration!

]]> By: Copywriting And Patience With Traditional Publishing With Iain Broome | The Creative Penn http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2010/03/08/7-reasons-why-writers-need-to-start-using-video-for-book-promotion/comment-page-1/#comment-18111 Copywriting And Patience With Traditional Publishing With Iain Broome | The Creative Penn Tue, 08 Feb 2011 06:11:32 +0000 http://www.thecreativepenn.com/?p=3958#comment-18111 [...] Why blogging is important so that the author personality is known behind the writing. On video blogging – it helps to show the real person behind the blog. It’s also quicker and easier to produce. Writers can spend a lot of time editing to make things perfect so articles take a lot longer to write, whereas videos can be produced faster. It’s also to get known by editors, agents and publishers as well as selling books – so it is for the author platform and marketing aspect. You are selling yourself as well as your work. You need to stand out so anything you can do is important. It’s also important that you’re easy to work with. Video shows there is a person behind the writing who is easy to get on with. [I also add that search rankings are improving for video search and how this will only grow in the future.] [...] [...] Why blogging is important so that the author personality is known behind the writing. On video blogging – it helps to show the real person behind the blog. It’s also quicker and easier to produce. Writers can spend a lot of time editing to make things perfect so articles take a lot longer to write, whereas videos can be produced faster. It’s also to get known by editors, agents and publishers as well as selling books – so it is for the author platform and marketing aspect. You are selling yourself as well as your work. You need to stand out so anything you can do is important. It’s also important that you’re easy to work with. Video shows there is a person behind the writing who is easy to get on with. [I also add that search rankings are improving for video search and how this will only grow in the future.] [...]

]]> By: Gabriel Tyner http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2010/03/08/7-reasons-why-writers-need-to-start-using-video-for-book-promotion/comment-page-1/#comment-9360 Gabriel Tyner Mon, 20 Sep 2010 03:05:54 +0000 http://www.thecreativepenn.com/?p=3958#comment-9360 This is a great blog! I am a film maker who KNOWS how important video can be and you have seven reasons why it is so important just for books! We specialize in Films and documentaries, the perfect combination for making books into a reality! With video and social networking you can get the hype out about your book! Thanks for posting!! This is a great blog! I am a film maker who KNOWS how important video can be and you have seven reasons why it is so important just for books! We specialize in Films and documentaries, the perfect combination for making books into a reality! With video and social networking you can get the hype out about your book! Thanks for posting!!

]]> By: Yolanda http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2010/03/08/7-reasons-why-writers-need-to-start-using-video-for-book-promotion/comment-page-1/#comment-9182 Yolanda Fri, 10 Sep 2010 21:12:33 +0000 http://www.thecreativepenn.com/?p=3958#comment-9182 I found a wonderful website that offers video production of book trails for a reasonable price. Very professional service and a high quality product! http://www.ivideoproductions.com Here is a sample of one that was done for the science fiction thriller Exoskeleton. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uu6zqx5ufY I found a wonderful website that offers video production of book trails for a reasonable price. Very professional service and a high quality product!
http://www.ivideoproductions.com
Here is a sample of one that was done for the science fiction thriller Exoskeleton.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uu6zqx5ufY

]]> By: Podcast: Using Video For Book Promotion With Gideon Shalwick | The Creative Penn http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2010/03/08/7-reasons-why-writers-need-to-start-using-video-for-book-promotion/comment-page-1/#comment-5656 Podcast: Using Video For Book Promotion With Gideon Shalwick | The Creative Penn Sun, 09 May 2010 21:17:00 +0000 http://www.thecreativepenn.com/?p=3958#comment-5656 [...] & Schuster say authors should be on video sites, we should all be listening. In March, I posted 7 reasons why authors should use video sites and this podcast expands on the topic by interviewing internet video expert, Gideon [...] [...] & Schuster say authors should be on video sites, we should all be listening. In March, I posted 7 reasons why authors should use video sites and this podcast expands on the topic by interviewing internet video expert, Gideon [...]

]]> By: 35–Writing Tips & Links for the Journey « Cheri Laser's Blog http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2010/03/08/7-reasons-why-writers-need-to-start-using-video-for-book-promotion/comment-page-1/#comment-5202 35–Writing Tips & Links for the Journey « Cheri Laser's Blog Tue, 06 Apr 2010 19:15:56 +0000 http://www.thecreativepenn.com/?p=3958#comment-5202 [...] a look at the article if you have a minute:  http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2010/03/08/7-reasons-why-writers-need-to-start-using-video-for-book-p.... And I’d love to hear about any of your own rookie experiences with the video element of [...] [...] a look at the article if you have a minute:  http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2010/03/08/7-reasons-why-writers-need-to-start-using-video-for-book-p…. And I’d love to hear about any of your own rookie experiences with the video element of [...]

]]> By: Joanna Penn http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2010/03/08/7-reasons-why-writers-need-to-start-using-video-for-book-promotion/comment-page-1/#comment-4775 Joanna Penn Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:57:42 +0000 http://www.thecreativepenn.com/?p=3958#comment-4775 Thanks Jamie - and it is a good tip for writers too. Keep a video diary while writing the book as later you tend to forget where the ideas came from and how it unfolded. Thanks Jamie – and it is a good tip for writers too. Keep a video diary while writing the book as later you tend to forget where the ideas came from and how it unfolded.

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