It may seem unusual to use video to promote books but that is exactly what this Chicago based book marketer is doing.
In an effort to expand the audience for their company’s book video trailer productions AuthorsBroadCast is producing a thirty minute television program “Authors Showcase” seen every Thursday at 8PM on Chicago Cable Channel 25; delivered to over 400,000 households within the Chicago city limits who subscribe to Comcast or RCN. Alternatively the program can be seen online at AuthorsBroadCast.com for those who reside outside Chicago proper or who do not have cable.
AuthorsBroadCast produces book video trailers. These are short videos, typically under two minutes that are very much like movie trailers seen on television and in theaters. Book trailers get readers emotionally involved in a story by using evocative pictures, video, and sound to convey the excitement of a novel or introduce the benefits of a non-fiction book. Authors and publishers display the trailers on their own websites, Facebook pages, and at book seller sites like Amazon, as well as YouTube and other video sharing sites.
“Some people’s first reaction is, ‘Why would a reader want to watch a video to learn about new books’?” says, Reno Lovison, Executive Producer at AuthorsBroadCast.com and owner of Reno Lovison Marketing. “Book readers are simply a subset of the larger population. Like others today they are pressed for time and want information delivered in a quick, concise and entertaining manner. Video delivers information in a minute or two that might take pages to write and twice as long to read.”
“With a limited number of retail book sellers available it has become increasingly more difficult for authors and
publishers to reach out to interested book buyers who have little opportunity to simply browse a local bookstore.
Mainstream book publishers can parade their celebrity authors on all the popular talk shows like Letterman, Leno, Ellen DeGeneres, Good Morning America, Jon Stewart and Colbert Report; academic writers have CSPAN Book TV. But where can small independent book publishers and self-published authors be heard?” asks producer Lovison. “I don’t delude myself into thinking that we are reaching an audience anywhere comparable to the national shows but it is an alternative. It may be a bit like shouting on the corner of State and Madison, but at least we have the possibility of some number of people being exposed to our message.”
The fledgling broadcast is experimenting with the program’s format. “I know I did not want to simply do another author interview show,” Lovison says, “I have opted for a kind of magazine format that is essentially non-hosted. Authors speak for and about themselves and their books. Readers tell us what interests them. We have had some guest segment hosts and have covered a number of national book conventions held this year in Chicago. We pepper the half-hour with about six or seven short book trailers that are entertaining and informative. My goal is to expose readers to a number
of titles and genres, giving them enough information to peak their interest, not necessarily sell the book. Hopefully a reader will see a book on our show then investigate it further on the web or at their local bookstore.”
Looking to expand your summer reading list? Visit the AuthorsBroadCast.com website or subscribe to their
YouTube.com/authorsbroadcast channel to watch episodes online. If you’re a city dweller, set your DVR for Authors Showcase 8PM Thursday nights on Channel 25 Comcast or RCN in the Chicago city limits.
* * * * *
You can grab the embed code for the current episode herehttp://youtu.be/NbZHMR_kCgM
Curated Literature & Chicago Downtown Calendar
The Architecture of Focus: Deep Work & Modern Mastery
By Founders Library Press
A structured framework for strategic clarity, productivity, and authentic execution.
Upcoming Downtown Happenings
Live acoustic sessions, gallery receptions, literary salons, and independent trade shows across Chicago.