If you’re looking for a new way to market your book, there are plenty of benefits to marketing with video. YouTube is currently the second most-searched website next to Google, and because it’s owned by Google, YouTube videos receive top priority in the search engine. When you search for something on Google, like how to bake a cherry pie, inevitably at least one of the top ten search results will include a YouTube video with those same keywords.
Videos can be powerful for generating traffic, especially when you incorporate keyword-rich titles. How-to videos can perform well on Google because people are searching for that kind of content, and many prefer to view videos over reading posts on the same topic.
Videos can be a great option for people who don’t love to write, and for those who have natural charisma on camera. From talking head videos where you give advice, to tutorials and demonstrations, videos can be another great way to gain visibility with your audience and help them get to know you. Here are some tips for building a following on YouTube:
Keep Videos Short – For best results, limit most of your videos to two to five minutes. Short videos do well on YouTube due to short attention spans.
Create Your Own Channel – When you log in to YouTube (using your Google log in), you can create your own channel. It’s free and easy to do. You can also fill out a profile with your bio and website link, and upload a custom background for your channel page.
Record Your Own Videos – The best news of all is that you don’t need to spend big bucks on video production. In fact, YouTube users tend to favor videos that have a more homemade feel. A simple flip camera or even your phone can do the job, though it would be wise to invest in a good microphone for better sound quality. And be sure to have great lighting as well.
Get Editing – You can either learn how to edit your own videos or hire someone to help with this task. You may want to include an introductory image with your website link, or have a banner added across the bottom of your video that features your website link (similar to how evening news shows reveal a banner at the bottom of the screen). You can hire a video editor via elance.com or fiverr.com, or invest in editing software. YouTube also offers a free editing program: http://www.youtube.com/editor.
Post to Your Blog – Be sure to post new videos to your blog or a designated area of your website. YouTube provides HTML code for embedding videos, which will include a video player so site visitors can easily view your videos. This can be a great way to supplement written blog content.
Promote Via Social Media – Share your new video posts across all of your social networks.
Promote Beyond YouTube – Another great site for posting your videos is http://vimeo.com. One subscription-based service that you may also want to use is Traffic Geyser (http://trafficgeyser.com), which will post your videos across many online platforms for greater visibility.
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A lot of authors go to a great amount of time and expense to do a video but don’t post it on their website. We are always asking authors if they have a video and many don’t know that it is very easy to include a video on a page on their website.
However, we suggest they NOT put it on the homepage, for a number of reasons. But that is another story for another time.
Alan N. Canton, Managing Partner
NewMedia Website Design
http://www.NewMediaWebsiteDesign.com
“Websites for authors, publishers, and small businesses at an affordable price”
Fair Oaks, CA 916-962-9296