Y is for YouTube: How and Why Writers should use it for Marketing

For a while now, I've been mentioning YouTube, and hinting at my master plan to use it to become the next J.K. Rowling. Ok, not really, and there isn't really a master plan, but YouTube is definitely a huge resource for modern day marketing for writers. Its one of those things that I really think can end up being worth the time and effort you put into it.

See, there are some YouTube videos that get millions and millions of views. Now, imagine of those millions and millions of people were watching your book trailer. That would definitely help with publicity, huh? I think most of us would be ecstatic with a few thousand views on a book trailer.

So here's my plan. I think it might be wise to start networking and getting a following on YouTube before I put up a book trailer, because that way there is automatically a group of people who it will go to right off the bat. Easier to spread that way. I'm still figuring out how exactly to do that, all that networking getting a following stuff, but I figure its better to start now, with perhaps less important videos, and work my way up to when it really counts. So the few tricks I've learned so far is to go around commenting, friending, and messaging as many people as you can. Friend the really big YouTube channels, that might get you something, and find people with similar video interests as you. Friend them, comment on their blog, share your video. It will get you many more views and subscribers then if you did nothing but wait for your video to get noticed. Most likely it won't, before a lot of ground-up work on your part. Put up good quality videos and keep contacting and sharing it with people. Twitter and Facebook can help you with this too. Like I said, I'm learning as I go here on this, so if any of you have experience and good ideas, I would absolutely love to hear them.

So in case I haven't posted enough of my videos, here's a reader interview video I did a while ago:



I've got some other cool stuff on my channel, and I would love to connect with you there too. We can help each other.

Keep writing!
Sarah Allen