Are you using YouTube for book marketing? Here’s why you’ll want to along with tips for doing it well
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Did you know with 3 billion users worldwide, YouTube is the second most popular social media platform (Facebook is first)? Whether you need instruction, entertainment, or news, you’ll find what you need in a video.
This means that YouTube is a powerful marketing tool that can be used to sell books. It also means that you want to use YouTube for book marketing.
Why YouTube is a powerful marketing tool for books
If you’re an author looking to get your work out there, YouTube should be your go-to platform. Here are five reasons why:
1. There’s a huge book community on YouTube.
There’s a huge community of booktubers and bookish channels on YouTube, so your book will definitely find an audience. If your videos are top-notch, you’ll get lots of passionate book fans.
2. You can reach a global audience.
YouTube is available in more than 80 countries and reaches billions of people around the world. This allows you to connect with book lovers worldwide.
3. You can connect with other authors.
YouTube is a great place to connect with other authors and build relationships. Collaborate on videos, cross-promote each other’s work, and support each other’s careers.
4. It’s a brand-builder.
Use video to share your personality and connect with your audience on a personal level. This can help you attract more readers and followers.
5. It’s a moneymaker.
If you grow a big enough following, you can start earning money on YouTube through sponsorships, affiliate links, and ads. This can help offset self-publishing and marketing costs.
How to create a YouTube channel for your book
The process for creating your own YouTube channel is similar to what you’ll do for your social media profiles. Here are the steps to follow so you use YouTube for book marketing effectively:
- Choose a catchy name. Select something that will make people want to subscribe so they’re notified when you add videos.
- Create a visually appealing channel banner. Make sure it’s consistent with your book’s branding.
- Upload a professional headshot as your profile picture. Use the same image that you use on other social networks.
- Write your channel description. This is where you’ll tell viewers what they can expect to find on your channel.
- Start creating and uploading videos. The possibilities are endless! Share book trailers, tutorials, readings, Q&As, behind-the-scenes, interviews, and more.
Getting YouTube views and subscribers
If you’re hoping to build a following on YouTube, you’ll need to put in some work. Here are a few tips to help you get more views and subscribers:
Optimize your channel
Make sure your channel is set up for success by completing the About section and adding keywords that describe your content. This will help people to find your channel when they’re searching for topics they’re interested in.
Create engaging videos
Your videos should be engaging, offering viewers something they can’t find elsewhere. If your content is enjoyable, people will be more likely to watch it and subscribe to your channel.
Promote your videos
Get the word out about your videos by promoting them on social media and other platforms. You can also run ads on YouTube to reach a bigger audience.
Use keywords in your video title and description
When people search for books on YouTube, they typically use keywords such as “book review” or “book recommendations.” When appropriate, use these keywords in your video title and description so that your video will show up in these searches.
Collaborate with other creators
Teaming up with other YouTube creators can help expose a new audience to your book. Partner on videos, cross-promote each other’s content, and guest star on each other’s channels.
Be patient
It takes time to build a following on YouTube, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results right away. Just keep creating great content and promoting your channel, and you’ll start getting more subscribers.
How to promote your video
As with blog posts and other online content, you have to help people find your videos. Don’t rely on getting found in search results alone – send people to your videos with these tactics:
Every time you upload a new video, share it on social media, email it to your list, and embed it on your website – especially if it’s a book trailer.
Help your video stand out and get more views by creating a catchy title and thumbnail.
Get discovered by including keywords in your title and description.
Using YouTube for book marketing takes effort.
There are many advantages to using YouTube for book marketing, including the simple fact that creating and uploading videos is free. You don’t have to spend a cent to reach your target audience there.
You can also target a specific audience by using keywords and tags that they’ll search for to find videos like yours.
And, if your video is well done, it has the potential to go viral, which could result in a lot of free publicity for your book.
YouTube marketing requires a bit more effort than some other options.
You need to create a quality video that will grab people’s attention and make them want to learn more about your book.
You also need to proactively promote your video.
If you don’t put in the work, your video is likely to get lost in the shuffle.Is YouTube for book marketing worth it?
Ultimately, that’s for you to decide.
If you’re willing to put in the time and effort, it can be a great way to reach a wide audience.
If you aren’t already creating videos, there’s a learning curve.
Try it! You have nothing to lose.
Get more free book marketing tips here.
