Media-Savvy Author: Turning Your Book Into Video Content

As an author, you pour your heart and soul into your work. In order to connect with your audience, it’s important that your passion doesn’t stop once your manuscript is completed. In our digital age, your ability to make a difference isn’t determined solely by the pages of your book, but also by how you promote your work and connect with your audience.

One of the most effective ways to do this is through video content. We all use platforms like YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook to watch videos now, which means you don’t need to wait for a TV show to accept your pitch (and in fact, you shouldn’t wait!) to make compelling videos. Through video, you can engage with your audience in real-time by giving your book a face and voice.

I know lots of authors feel uncomfortable promoting their work through video, but remember, you’re doing a public service by sharing your message. There are people out there who need to hear what you have to say.

For authors, video content helps build credibility, establishing you (yes, you!) as a trusted expert that the media will call on. Yep—doing your own video makes it much more likely that your media pitches will be accepted, because it shows producers and journalists that you know your stuff and you can communicate in a compelling way. It also prepares you to excel and handle the unexpected once you get those media opportunities.

But how do you create a consistent flow of video content that resonates with your audience? This is a question that comes up all the time with my media-training clients. I always tell them the same thing: Use your book!

[Media-Savvy Author: How to use video to sell more books.]

Your book is a treasure trove. It’s full of ideas, insights, and inspiration that can be turned into video content for years to come.

Here’s how to use your book to fill your video content calendar:

The first step in filling your video content calendar is to break down your book into themes or topics that can be turned into videos.

If your book is nonfiction, take a look at each chapter and write down the key idea that summarizes the content. For fiction authors, consider your characters, world-building arcs, writing process, and themes within the story.

Each one of these can be a separate video that offers readers context and content. Don’t be afraid of “giving away” ideas from your book—a little taste will entice your readers to buy the book.

Another way to fill your video content calendar is by pulling powerful quotes or excerpts from your book and turning them into short-form videos.

You can read aloud a quote from your book and then offer further insights or background information. Short-form content works particularly well on platforms like Instagram Reels and TikTok. Those are platforms where concise and engaging videos tend to get more traction.

As you promote your book, you’ll likely encounter questions from readers. Answering these questions on video helps engage your audience and positions you as an approachable expert.

Create dedicated videos addressing each common question. For example, a nonfiction author might create a video answering a question like, “What are some common misconceptions about X topic covered in my book?”

Fans of fiction often have burning questions about characters and plot twists. Address these in videos by answering FAQs like, “Why did you choose this setting for your story?” or “What inspired the character of X?”

Readers are frequently curious about the behind-the-scenes of writing a book. Sharing the journey of how your book came to life can be an inspiring and engaging video series.

Discussing the challenges you faced, how you developed your characters, or how you overcame writer’s block can help readers feel connected to your process and to your book. This approach works just as well for fiction and nonfiction authors!

When your book is launching, video content becomes even more crucial. You can use video to invite your audience behind the scenes. For example, you might shoot an unboxing video of copies of your book, showcase your writing space, or even take your followers along on a day in your life as you prepare for the book’s release.

This gives your audience a little peek into the work that goes into launching a book and makes them feel connected to your work.

One of the best ways to grow your credibility as an author and fill your video content calendar is to collaborate with other writers. By participating in interviews with other authors, panel discussions, or joint video projects, you can reach a broader audience of people who are already reading books that are similar to yours.

For example, nonfiction authors can team up with another expert and create a video discussing key concepts from both your book and their area of expertise. For fiction authors, connect with a fellow author for a virtual roundtable or an interview where you both discuss your creative processes, your favorite literary influences, and your experiences in the publishing world.

Authors can also use video to teach concepts related to their book’s topic. There are many ways you can do this. For instance, if your book is a how-to guide or instructional, create videos that walk your audience through specific strategies or techniques discussed in your book.

If you write fiction, you could create videos explaining events that inspired your novel, offering interesting facts about where you set your book, or discussing historical figures that shaped your story.

Whatever approach you choose to take with turning your book into engaging videos, remember that you already have what you need—your writing is a goldmine of content just waiting to be explored. For more tips, you can check out my course Media Ready Author.

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