Video for Writers by Lani Longshore

Shameless self-promotion alert, I’ll have a new book coming out in the next couple of months. I’m evaluating ways to promote it, and Julaina Kleist-Corwin gave me a suggestion: try video.

Julaina leads the Tri-Valley Writers Social Media Group. Each month she presents great tips about building your platform. Her research indicates that more and more people click on videos for information, instruction, and entertainment. She encouraged us all to start making videos, perhaps something like her Feature Friday interviews on a Facebook group she runs.

Julaina recently interviewed me. When she asked for background information, I considered what I would say about my book if we were having a casual conversation. Starting with my elevator pitch, I expanded each talking point, keeping in mind that Julaina would be asking questions as well as listening to me. Once I had an idea of what I wanted to say in the interview, I realized I could do my own videos without creating a horrible infomercial.

The technical aspects of making videos can be simple. Julaina uses the free version of Zoom to record a meeting, which she then saves on Vimeo (you could also save the clip on YouTube). Post the clip on social media with a link the same way you would use a link to send people to your blog or website.

I’ve created my own Zoom account. I found a place in the house that is relatively quiet, well lighted and has an uncluttered wall to use as a backdrop. Once the hustle of the holidays eases, I’ll start recording my message and see if it works for me. The future is video. Time for me to adapt.

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