Guest Expert: Shelley Hitz
As an author, have you considered video marketing? I encourage you to sit down and plan out your book marketing efforts and determine how you can incorporate video. Why? Well, we definitely live in a video generation and video is one of the fastest ways to connect with your readers and fans.
YouTube Marketing 101
It is free for any author to set up a YouTube channel and start marketing to potential readers. And when you choose the right keywords, your YouTube video has the potential of showing up on the first page of Google for even more exposure!
To set up your account, simply go to: http://www.youtube.com/create_account. Signing up for your account is the easy part. Now comes marketing, which requires strategy. Many authors have YouTube channels to display their book trailers, but aren’t using them effectively. Maybe you’re one of them.
Either way, I want to show you several tips on how to use YouTube most effectively.
Four Ways to Optimize Your YouTube Channel
There are several things you can do to optimize your YouTube channel once you set it up.
#1: Fill Out Your Profile Completely
It only takes a few minutes to fill out your profile. Not only do you get the opportunity to put in a website link, but you can also include links in your “About Me” section which will turn into live URL’s. This provides an opportunity for you to drive traffic to your website or blog, your newsletter where subscribers can download a free chapter of your book or your Facebook page. Make sure you include at least one call to action in your description.
#2: Include Channel Tags
Under the settings tab on your page, you can insert channel tags to help people find you. This is a great place to insert keywords that you have researched for your blog or website. Make sure to fill this in as it provides another way for people to find your channel.
#3: Post Links to Your YouTube Channel
Make sure to let people know your YouTube channel exists. Include the link on your blog or website in a prominent position – I have a link to my channel in the upper left hand corner of my page. Also include your YouTube link on your Facebook profile and Facebook page. I’ve encountered many authors that don’t include any links on their Facebook profile. You can add as many links as you want under the website section on Facebook, so don’t forget to include the link to your blog and your YouTube channel as well.
#4 Use the Free Tools Included in Your YouTube Account
Did you know that YouTube has a free editor that you can use to edit your videos? I explain how to use the YouTube editor in my report, YouTube Marketing for Authors, however you can get started using it right away at the link below.
YouTube also has tools that allow you to add annotations, make a playlist and more! I encourage you to make the most of what YouTube gives you for free.
Shelley Hitz is an entrepreneur, author and speaker. Her website, Self Publishing Coach, provides resources and tutorials that help you publish and market your book. Need a step-by-step resource for getting started with video marketing? Check out Shelley’s report, YouTube Marketing for Authors.
You can also find Shelley on Facebook, Twitter and (of course) YouTube.
