Market Your Book with LinkedIn Live & Recorded Video

If you know me, you might have heard that I recently self-published my third book on Amazon.

Don't worry... this is not a pitch for you to go buy my book.

Instead, what I'd like to do is use my recent book launch as a "teachable moment" to illustrate just how effective video (live and recorded) can be for marketing a book.

If you are thinking of ways to promote your book, reading this article might give you some ideas on the power of video to help spread the word.

So without further ado, here's a few ways I found that video helped me during my recent book launch.

Book Launch Party

LinkedIn Lives are a fantastic way to let your LinkedIn peeps know about your new book.

Of course, this works best if you have a colleague (or bestie) who wants to help you celebrate. After all, it might feel a little awkward hosting your own Book Launch Party, especially if you are an introvert like me.

I hosted several book launch parties for other people in the past, which were all great fun.??

Here are a few tips:

• Think of talking points that provide value to the audience. Nobody wants to attend a 30 minute sales pitch.
• Think about including a special offer that will appeal to the audience. For instance, offering your ebook for free or special launch price.
• Consider giving away a signed copy of your book to one lucky winner in attendance. If you are using StreamYard for the live stream, there is an awesome Give Away Tool that makes random drawings easy peasy.
• Be sure to make the most of this LinkedIn Event by sending your LinkedIn connections an Invitation to attend.
• Repost the event to your own LinkedIn profile for increased visibility.

?? Click play to watch the short video below (01:45)

Sample of a book launch party

Special shout out to Annette Richmond ?? for being the "host with the most" for my Book Launch Party.

Book Trailer

I highly recommend you take the time to create a trailer for your book. No need for a Hollywood production. Just keep it simple.

For my book trailer, I simply turned on my cell phone and talked about why I wrote this book. I did it in one take! No script. No teleprompter. Just spoke from the heart.

This is an easy peasy way to give potential readers a summary of what your book is about and who it's for.

Here are a few tips:

• I suggest keeping your video short; 1-2 minutes max.
• Be sure to include a picture of your book, even a mockup photo works. This way people begin to associate you with the book cover.
• If you create a book page on your website (which you really should) be sure to add your video there as well. And while you're at it, consider uploading the video to your YouTube channel.

?? Click play to watch the short video below (01:32)

Sample of a simple book trailer

Video Testimonials

If anyone in your LinkedIn network is kind enough to create and post a video testimonial be sure to Repost (or Share) the post to your own profile.

This is a great way to thank your colleagues/friend and shine the spotlight on them. Plus, this helps you to get the word out about your new book in a subtle manner.

Here are a few tips:

• Be sure to personally thank the people that post a video testimonial (maybe via a DM)
• Like and comment on the original post before you share or repost to your profile
• Engage with everyone that comments on the post

?? Click play to watch the short video below (00:46)

Sample of a video testimonial

Thank you Gehan "G" Haridy-Ardanowski for this amazing video with your takeaways. ??

?? Click play to watch the short video below (00:17)

Sample of a video testimonial

Thank you Mindy Stern SPHR for this awesome shout out video. It was such a thrill to see you filming this at the airport, just before boarding your flight. ??

LinkedIn Live, Podcast, or Webinar Guest Appearances

If you are very lucky, your colleagues might like your new book so much that they invite you to be a guest on their show. Woo hoo hoo. When this happens be sure to consider the audience of the host and begin thinking of what value you can bring to the show that best serves their audience.

?? Click play to watch the short video below (00:57)

Sample of a LinkedIn Live guest appearance

Special shout out to MICHELLE B GRIFFIN for reading my book and then immediately contacting me to be a guest on her upcoming LinkedIn Live. What was especially nice was that the seed for my latest book was planted during a previous appearance on Michelle's show last Fall (which was a celebration of my first book.) ??

And thank you in advance for the upcoming show hosts that have already scheduled for me to come on their show this month: Kenneth Lang , Annette Richmond ?? , and DeniseRenee, Book Writing Coach . ??

?? Tip: Don't be afraid to reach out to LinkedIn Live, Podcast, and Webinar hosts to ask about coming on their show as a guest. Just be sure the topic of your book is relevant for their audience and you lead with the value you can bring to the show.

Amazon Book Review

If you are really lucky, some of your LinkedIn colleagues/friends, after reading your book, may feel inspired to post a video testimonial on your Amazon book page.

Video book reviews really stand out on Amazon because they are few and far between.

?? Tip: Videos can be vertical, square, or horizontal.

?? Click play to watch the short video below (00:39)

Sample of an Amazon Video Testimonial

Thank you to the amazing Kevin D. Turner who is always rockin' LinkedIn (and YouTube) with his amazing videos. So appreciate this 5 Star video book review. You rock! ??

?? Note to self: I need to go back and add some video book reviews for my fellow LinkedIn authors. Video is such an amazing way to create social proof for the books you enjoy and want to recommend to others.

YouTube

Last, but certainly not least, be sure to repurpose all of this amazing video content to your YouTube channel. Keep in mind that your YouTube audience may include people who don't already know you on LinkedIn, so this is a great opportunity to pick up some prospective readers.

Take advantage of YouTube's Playlist feature. Keep related videos, like your LinkedIn Live Guest Appearances, or even your book trailers, all together so that they can be easily found.

?? Tip: If you upload your book trailers to your YouTube channel, be sure to add your Amazon book link (or website book link) to the description of your YouTube videos. You want to make it as easy peasy as possible for people to click a link to learn more about your book.

Wrapping it All Up

Video marketing is a powerful tool for authors looking to promote their book. From hosting engaging LinkedIn Live book launch parties to creating simple yet effective book trailers, leveraging video testimonials, and appearing as a guest on various shows, video can significantly boost your book's visibility.

Using live and recorded video not only helps spread the word about your book but also allows you to connect with others on a more personal level.

Remember, the key is to focus on providing value to your viewers while authentically sharing your passion for your book.

As you embark on your book marketing journey, don't underestimate the impact of including video as part of your marketing strategy – it could be the differentiator that helps your book stand out in a crowded marketplace.

?? MEET THE AUTHOR

Gillian Whitney is a LinkedIn Live Stream Strategist & Coach. She believes every business professional needs to be using LinkedIn Live to market themselves on and off LinkedIn. Live video boosts your online visibility, increases sales, and promotes your business like no other marketing tool.

Gillian provides 1:1 training & coaching to help business professionals to harness the magic of LinkedIn Live video in a way that is comfortable for them.

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Video Easy Peasy with Gillian - Inside this LinkedIn Newsletter I share Easy Peasy LinkedIn Live live stream and recorded video tips.