One of the hot topics at this year’s Blogger Conference during BookExpo America was vlogging – video blogging. This has become an increasingly popular method of blogging for a number of book reviewers, and most of the session devoted to vlogging was spent discussing practical aspects for the vloggers themselves.
So we’ve been searching out and viewing many of these vlogs (most of which live on their own YouTube channels) and are finding several that do seem worth an author’s consideration. Many have thousands of subscribers; the “vlogs” are interesting and engaging. We’re in the process of attempting to vet several to add to a special section of Reviewers in our Winner Circle, and we’re excited about their additional potential influence on book sales. (For an un-vetted but useful resource directory of hundreds of vloggers, visit this great list at elizziebooks.com/book-vlogger-directory.)
But the truth is we’ve yet to see data on whether these influencers and their video book reviews are translating to sales for their authors. And, because many are exclusively posting on YouTube channels (meaning this isn’t an added-value proposition to a standing website), it’s difficult to determine which are accepting new material from emerging authors, and what genres they each prefer.
Another potential downside may be the length of video book reviews. Overall, while some were succinct, many seemed overly long (seven minutes or more). While this may appear at first glance to be flattering to the author, do readers prefer to view a video or read a review in less time?
And, while a vlog review on a certain book may look like it’s garnered thousands of “views” — a viewer need not actually view the video for more than a second or two for that to count as a “view.” So to evaluate the “influence” of any vlogger requires an assessment of their average views, their subscribers, and of course if they’re sharing the vids across other social media channels.
We’re very interested to hear from emerging authors who’ve benefitted (or not) from the book vlogging boom! If you’ve had your book(s) reviewed on a vlog, please share the link below, and let us know how you used/shared the review after it went live.
Have you reviewed a book yourself in a vlog? Are you a regular book vlogger? We want to hear from you, too! Share your comments below and let’s see where this conversation leads…
Hi Shary,
Where can I find a vloggers list?
The link above doesn’t work… :/
TROPIC SQUALL is a seafaring novel written by Ben Cherot and published by BQB Publishing of Alpharetta, Georgia . . . sold in bookstores and by on-line booksellers.
Nautical stories have become popular since the publications of The Perfect Storm, The Hungry Ocean and In the Heart of the Sea.
Tropic Squall chronicles the passage of one of the small tramps out of Miami trading in the Caribbean during August of 1992–in the path of Hurricane Andrew–one of history’s most violent and destructive storms.
Few recent books deal with the world of tramp ships and the people who own and man them. Generally ignored is the unique society that rows to the tune of a different drummer. Those stalwarts, bound together by the limitations exacted by a small vessel, have over the years devised their own parameters of behavior and interaction, subscribing to different concerns, ethics and aspirations than lands-people.
My book vlog probably should be called “The Inadvertent Book Vlogger.” I fell into book vlogging by chance. As it is, my book vlog currently is a playlist from my YouTube Channel. My book vlog playlilst presently is called “Eric F. James’ Book Vlog.” I’ve completed two, and have more pending.
I discovered book vlogging when preparing videos for my own book. I write non-fiction history, a genre that presently has few book vloggers. The books I review relate to my own writing, research, or subject matter. That qualifies me to comment or review with additional authority. Being one of only a few non-fiction/history book vloggers makes my vlog more unique.
After my first book vlog appeared, I was surprised by the receipt of unsolicited books, sent to me by publisher for my review. I now limit my reviews to my selected genre only. If I don’t receive a review book unsolicited, I request a copy from the publisher.
As both author and book vlogger, benefit flows mutually to me as it does to the books I review. More authors should consider book vlogging. Who better to review a book?
Excellent Eric and well-said about authors vlogging – absolutely you’re the authority! We’ll add you to our vloggers list 🙂 Write on, Shari