1. Cdn Writer

    Cdn Writer Contributor Contributor

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    TRYING (!!!) to read Eric Flint's "Ring of Fire" series.......it's soooo many books!!!!!

    YouTube Marketing Idea....

    Discussion in 'Marketing' started by Cdn Writer, Jul 5, 2020.

    Someone in "success stories" subforum posted about the need to increase sales and I wrote out the following. I figured the idea was too good not to throw out there. Take a read and see if you think it's worth doing.




    No idea if this would work, but what about social media influencers? There are a LOT of YouTube channels popping up now, you could do a youtube search for videos like "scariest playgrounds" at:

    https://www.youtube.com/user/dangmattsmith/videos

    And maybe send him a copy of your book, ask him to give you a shout out on his channel if he likes the book? Could backfire possibly - he could say it's the worse book ever, don't buy it......

    This isn't the only guy out there. There was a story on yahoo.com news about a girl almost drowning because she was wearing a mermaid tail, so I searched for that to see what it was and found a lot of channels featuring different things.

    I assume if you mail the channel provider 10 copies of your book, 9 to give away as promotional prizes to his followers and one for him to read himself, it could drive sales. Or 5 copies or even 3 copies if that's more doable?
     
  2. Steve Rivers

    Steve Rivers Contributor Contributor

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    I think the one thing you have to consider, is even the lesser-known ones probably start having -lots- of other authors doing the same thing. I've targetted a few for my books, but it might be best to try and gain a rapport with them first before using the tactic of giving 10 books and offering 9 to give away, otherwise they might feel they're being pressured.

    Smaller/newer Youtubers are more likely to be hungry for interesting subject matters and new content, and are more likely to help out (i imagine). Larger youtubers, the ones you would want the most, have less to lose; they might be too busy to even look at your book, and if they do, are the ones MOST likely to give their honest opinion, because they don't care if they lose you as a 'friend/contact/acquaintence.' They are the ones most likely (and will help them drive clicks/views) to give that all important "This is crap!" review. It's a double-edged sword you might want to tread carefully with. There's a truism in the YouTuber community - and that is "nothing gets clicks like tearing into something." Finding a well-rounded youtube reviewer who doesnt do it for click-bait is important.

    There's another, more involved way to use Youtube as a marketing tool - be a YouTuber yourself. What you really want is views, and if you tag your videos properly, and have a good thumbnail image and title, even a brand new youtuber can get thousands of views. I used to have a 3d modelling channel that i used to show my work and had over 2000 subscribers, none of them friends of family. I wasn't even -trying- to make the channel get subscribers, I was just doing it for the modding community I was involved in. I learned a lot by doing it, and as I say, I noticed a direct correlation from when I started and never used tags, to later on using them wisely and views shooting up through the roof.

    I'm planning to make small videos showing the processes of how I created my books, nothing tutorial-like, but just the general gist as a summary. As i say, if you have good titles and more importantly, put a long, detailed and relevant list of tags to your videos, they will garner lots of hits. Promoting your book during the video, even just at the end of it with a "Such and Such, available now on Amazon" will help drive a regular influx of a few people at the least towards your book.
     
    Last edited: Jul 5, 2020
  3. marshipan

    marshipan Contributor Contributor

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    "Booktube" is a special little corner on YouTube that would likely get an author more relevant youtubers for this purpore. From my understanding, the popular ones these days are swamped with enough requests that getting a review is a difficult task, but that it can be easier asking them to mention you in a "TBR" (to be read) pile. Not really sure personally, it hasn't been something I've explored.
     
  4. big soft moose

    big soft moose An Admoostrator Admin Staff Supporter Contributor Community Volunteer

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    Just having them shout it out won't do a lot... if you're nick irwin and actually appear in the videos on say demolition ranch it probably helps sales.. but thats not something you can orgnise (unless you're an ex army ranger who lives in san antonio)
     
    Cdn Writer and Room with a view like this.
  5. Cloudymoon

    Cloudymoon Member

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    Now you've got me thinkin'...:superthink:
     
  6. Cave Troll

    Cave Troll It's Coffee O'clock everywhere. Contributor

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    I have heard of some who make 'book trailers'.

    Perhaps spamming popular rev vloggers to read your book
    may get them to do some of the sale work for you, by reading
    and revving your book(s). :)
    Good Luck. :superidea:
     
  7. marshipan

    marshipan Contributor Contributor

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    Not too long ago I had a brief moment of time as a YouTuber, lol... Can't say I want to repeat the experience but then again my biggest issue was I was doing it through a company and the company has since dissolved but the youtube still remains with all my horrifyingly cringy and amateur videos out there. Then again I suppose it's not as bad as doing porn and then regretting it.... maybe. At least I wouldn't look like an idiot in porn. I can't even stand looking at the thumbnail picture with my goofy face making those stupid expressions the idea of clicking them nearly brings on a cringe induced seizure. I wonder if there's a way I can get them taken down...
     
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  8. Cdn Writer

    Cdn Writer Contributor Contributor

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    TRYING (!!!) to read Eric Flint's "Ring of Fire" series.......it's soooo many books!!!!!
    Seems like a lot of work. If this is something that you want to do and you have some unique ideas for content, then it might be worthwhile. However, some of the existing channels on YouTube cover every possible thing under the sun! What can you do to stand out? And, I feel that you do a *LOT* of prep work like 8 hours maybe when you factor in the research and the script for your video just to end up with a very brief, 10 minute to 30 minute YouTube video. If you have the time and the interest or a team to help you, this could work.

    You also need some camera skills and a photogenic mug.
     
  9. Cave Troll

    Cave Troll It's Coffee O'clock everywhere. Contributor

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    Have you seen booktubers?
    Their content is far from unique.
    Check it out some time.
     
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  10. Imaginary Worlds

    Imaginary Worlds New Member

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    I hope this post doesn't cross any self-promotion lines; if it does, can a moderator please let me know so I can delete it?

    I had a similar thought a few months ago, and started a Twitch channel with the intention of promoting my writing by reading it aloud, audio-book style. I found it to be an interesting experience, and have been continuing to do so for maybe 2 or 3 months, now, mostly reading material from Project Gutenberg so as to avoid copyright issues and ripping people off.

    I'm pretty much looking at it as practice, right now, for doing audio books later. I've improved my skills, and I intend to start posting Youtube videos of some of the stories I've particularly enjoyed; shyness is probably the biggest thing holding me back right now. And maybe laziness. And time...

    But it seems like your idea should be viable. The biggest problem is going to be convincing the creators that your material is going to be worth the time reading, and that it's going to be interesting enough for them to have something to say about your book.
     

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