It’s always been the case that independent authors had to handle their own promotion, but nowadays even writers with big book deals are expected to shoulder the lion’s share of the marketing/promo legwork. Luckily, you no longer have to worry as much about the price of plane tickets, car rentals, and gas. Live streaming video technologies like Skype, UStream, Justin.tv, and iChat Video will let you travel the world from your couch!
Here are a few ways you can use live video streaming to promote your writing:
1. Host a reading series
Stream a monthly reading event from your kitchen (curated by YOU) with different featured writers each time. Use the chat function on UStream to take live questions. The other authors involved will promote your reading series to their fans, increasing your name recognition, and maybe earning you some new readers.
2. Meet with book clubs
Encourage book clubs to purchase and read your book by offering to participate in their meetings on the day your book is chosen for discussion. Without leaving your home, you can “Skype” into their living room.
3. Classroom discussions
Similarly, you can use video streaming or chatting technology to participate in classroom discussions of your work. Teachers often have their hands tied when it comes to choosing assigned literature. But in some cases they do get to dictate the curriculum (especially at the community college and university level), and they might be enticed by your book if they know a classroom discussion with the author is an option!
4. Novel serialization
Use UStream to read your novel one chapter at a time over a few months. If you’re still working on your novel, you can use UStream to solicit feedback, too!
Have you used video streaming or chat technology to promote your work? If so, let us know in the comments section below.
Also, check out:
Video Promotion for Authors, Pt 1: the video interview
Video Promotion for Authors, Pt 3: up-close and personal
-Chris R. at BookBaby
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