Felix Baumgartner and Promoting Books with Viral Video

Viral book videos are becoming one of the newest and most exciting ways to promote a book. Using viral video to get your title out there is becoming increasingly popular, and it is relatively simple-to-do, saving both time and money for the author or publisher working within a limited budget.

For an example of the way that viral video has hit the masses, one only has to look at the death-defying jump of Felix Baumgartner, the man who took an incredible leap on Sunday, October 14, 2012. More than eight million people watched via YouTube video as he made the astounding leap from 128,000 feet above the Earth and landed safely in New Mexico.

The video went viral at an amazing speed, encouraging those who had not even heard of his planned jump to experience it first hand. In the same way, viral video can promote anything; movies, television shows, and yes, books.

Strange as it may sound, it makes sense on a very basic level. People are, by nature, attuned to their five senses; we like what we can see, feel, hear, and experience for ourselves. Designing a video as a preview of your book can entice your potential audience to take a closer look at the title itself. Choosing appropriate music for your book video can evoke the emotion that you wish your readers to have when they enter the world you’ve created. Photos that depict your main characters and the plot can make the book all that more real for readers, as they can see your characters and story much the same way you do.

Once you have crafted the perfect book video, you can leverage the power of social media, which has increased the exposure many people have to YouTube videos. In the past, viewers had to search for something specific to see a video; now, they only have to click on a friend’s link to see what they’re interested in. If they like it as much as their friend did, it’s extraordinarily simple for them to choose to share it with others. In that way, a video can quickly become viral. If you are trying to market your book to a particular demographic, a video can be created to appeal to those you wish to reach.  

Lastly, making a video with the intention of having it go viral can save a large amount of money on pricey, lengthy, and, oftentimes, exhausting book tours. Readers can be introduced to both a book and an author in less than five minutes, and everyone saves a few dollars, which can make a remarkable difference in the amount of money spent promoting a book in today’s competitive market.

Viral book videos are the next popular wave of spreading the word about a great new title. If done correctly, a video can open up worlds of options for both the author and the readers, allowing each to reach the other in a way that, until recently, was only available at a specified time and place, such as a book signing.  Consider a viral book video for your title, and watch as your book soars to new heights among your readers.

If you need help developing or promoting a viral book video, contact me.