Author Dora Crow wrote to tell me about a clever way she’s using YouTube to promote her book.
She writes:
“In order to share the story of Winky & Wonder, I’ve begun reading my children’s book on YouTube as an online ‘Children’s Storytime.’ I uploaded the prologue a few days ago, and today I uploaded the first chapter (in Part 1 and Part 2, 10 minutes each). I plan to upload one chapter
each week.”
Dora says she is linking to the videos from her website. She welcomes feedback on the videos, so here’s mine:
If I were a kid, I’d like it a whole lot more if, after your greeting, you started reading the story with your back to me so I could see the illustrations.
P.S. The cat’s a nice touch!
Dora, you might try finding celebrities to read your book on YouTube even if it is just the local celebs like the weatherperson or city council person. Create a DVD of it and give it away.
What’s different (or same) about your book compared to other classic children writer’s like Judy Blume or Beverly Cleary? Whatever the answer compare yourself to them for instant association to them even though you aren’t them, get it?
Here’s a story about some interesting Return On Investments using YouTube versus say Super Bowl advertising.
http://adage.com/article?article_id=112835
Dear Joan and Garth,
Thank you both for your encouragement and suggestions.
Joan, there are only six illustrations in the book, and in the videotaping of Chapter Two I will show two of them. (It’s not on YouTube yet; there were some technical difficulties with Chapter Two, so I need to retape it.) I’ve also thought of creating some additional illustrations to be shown on the videos. I would love to animate the story, but that learning curve will have to wait, for now.
Garth, both of your suggestions are very intriguing. I had thought of having others take turns reading the story so that the videos aren’t too monotonous.. Hmmm.. and I do know a local celebrity.
The comparison idea is terrific. My daughter is a tremendous Judy Blume fan, so perhaps I will ask her how Winky & Wonder compares to one of Judy Blume’s books. I’m always interested in a child’s perspective. You’ve started me thinking about other authors, too.
Joan, thank you so much for mentioning Winky & Wonder’s YouTube promotion on your blog – there have been some unexpected personal issues these past few months which needed my attention, and so I just discovered your post today.
I hope to be back on track creating more videos next month. The suggestions posted here have motivated me and inspired me.