These video tips for authors show you how to connect, build trust, and grow your audience using simple videos—without having to become a TikTok dancing sensation. I mean just look at best seller Brandon Sanderson (above), he has a massive following just by being himself.
If you’re an author quietly hoping that video will just go away… I’ve got some tough news.
It’s not. Like that weird rash you keep ignoring. It’s here to stay.
But here’s the good part: you don’t have to dance on TikTok. You don’t even have to be “good on camera.” You just have to show up as a real human being with something worth saying. Novel concept, right?
In fact, most of the best video tips for authors don’t involve fancy gear or social media wizardry—they involve being clear, honest, and juuuust slightly more prepared than you were the last time you hit record. Baby steps, people.
This guide pulls from pro-level media trainings, behind-the-scenes coaching calls, and author case studies—plus a few battle-tested lessons from my own camera lens. Let’s skip the hype and get to the good stuff.
Key Takeaways
| Tip | What It Means | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Think beyond the book | Focus on impact, not just promotion | Builds long-term trust and connection |
| Use story, not sales pitch | Share personal or reader-relevant stories | People remember emotions more than features |
| Be seen early and often | Start video before launch day | Builds momentum and primes your audience |
| Prioritize sound and light | No fancy gear needed, but clarity counts | People forgive video flaws—not bad audio |
| Record in private first | Practice without publishing | Builds confidence with no pressure |
| Look at the lens | Eye contact builds connection | Looking at yourself disconnects your viewer |
| Boost your energy | The camera dulls your vibe | You’re more engaging than you think—you just need to dial it up a notch |
Stop Thinking Like a Salesperson. Start Thinking Like a Guide.
If your entire video strategy is just “Buy my book!” you’re going to lose people faster than a plot twist on page one. Or a character named Bob in a horror novel. (We all know Bob’s not making it to chapter three.)
People don’t follow you because you wrote a book. They follow you because you help them feel something—understood, inspired, curious, less alone, more seen.
That’s what video is for.
Paula Rizzo, longtime media pro and author of Listful Living, teaches authors how to use video as a tool for connection—not just sales. She reminds creators to get clear on their mission, not just their message. (If that resonates, check her out at paularizzo.com.)
So if your book deals with trauma recovery, your video might talk about how you healed. If it’s a rom-com, maybe your video is just you reading a flirty one-liner while sipping coffee. If you’re writing sci-fi, let us peek at the wild NASA article that inspired your alien subplot.
Give us a reason to care before we click “Add to Cart.” Crazy idea, I know.
Let’s Get Practical: Your First Video Setup
You don’t need a studio. You don’t need a ring light the size of Saturn. You need this:
Face a Window Natural light makes you look human. Bonus: it’s free. And we authors love free stuff, don’t we?
Raise the Camera to Eye Level Stack books under your laptop. Use a cereal box. Just don’t shoot from the “under-chin” angle. No one looks their best from beneath. Not even Ryan Gosling. I checked.
Look into the Camera That tiny dot at the top of your screen? Yep. That one. Look there. Not at your face. Not at the chat. Definitely not at your cat, though we all know she’s judging your performance.
Sit Forward You’re here to connect, not recline like a Bond villain. Plant your feet. Lean in slightly. It shows you care. Or at least that you’re awake.
Check Your Sound If your mic sounds like you recorded underwater in a cave during a thunderstorm… folks will tune out. A $30 plug-in mic or headset solves this instantly.
What Should You Say on Camera?
Let’s kill the pressure first: You don’t need to go viral. You just need to be useful, clear, and… brief. Like that one friend who tells a good story without making you check your watch.
Say One Thing at a Time:
- 30 seconds: One tip. One sentence. That’s it.
- 60–90 seconds: A short story or behind-the-scenes clip.
- 2–3 minutes: A book excerpt or a personal anecdote with a clear takeaway.
Use the Accordion Method
This one’s gold. Paula Rizzo teaches authors to prep their answers in three lengths:
- Short (TV interview)
- Medium (YouTube or Instagram)
- Long (Podcast or keynote)
Why? Because you never know how much airtime you’ll get—and when the host says “We’ve got 10 seconds left,” you’d better not still be setting up the punchline. Nobody wants to hear “and then I said…” followed by an awkward cut to commercial.
6 Author-Friendly Video Ideas That Aren’t Cringeworthy
Let’s be honest: nobody wants to be that person on camera. You know the one. So here’s what actually works (and feels natural doing it).
A Tip You’d Text a Friend “Here’s what helped me get unstuck when I was writing chapter 4.” Simple. Useful. Not you trying to be the next Shakespeare of social media.
A Vibe Reel of Your Book Think less “trailer” and more “mood.” Music + visuals + a line of text. Great for fiction. Terrible for tax preparation guides.
Pack Orders or Sign Books People love watching things get packed. It’s weird. But it works. Maybe we’re all just secret voyeurs of bubble wrap and packing tape.
Answer a Reader’s Question Got fan mail? Use it. “Someone asked how I write dialogue that sounds real…” Then answer it like the awesome human you are.
Tell a Story, Not a Summary Don’t say “My book is about…” Instead: “When I was 12, this one thing happened—and I didn’t know it then, but it changed everything.” Hook us with humanity, not marketing copy.
Day-in-the-Life Clip Walk. Write. Sip tea. Stare blankly at wall. Delete paragraph. Sip more tea. Sprinkle a quote or thought over the footage. Instant content.
For more content prompts: Build a Fanbase With Video
Ads + Video = A Smart Combo
If you’re already running Amazon ads, video gives people a reason to care before they click. Like getting to know someone before the first date, instead of just swiping right on their cover… er, photo.
But only if your page is ready for it.
Before you throw money at traffic:
- Tighten your blurb. Think headline + hook.
- Make sure your cover looks like it belongs in your genre. (No comic sans on your thriller, please.)
- Get at least 25 solid reviews or ratings.
Then support that with videos on your socials, website, and email list. It’s the content that fills the gaps between ads—and builds actual loyalty.
More on that strategy: How to Use Video Marketing
Pro Tips You Didn’t Ask For (But Will Definitely Use)
Practice in Private Open Zoom. Hit record. Don’t post it. Just talk. Watch it back. Fix what feels off. Repeat. Cringe. Repeat again. Less cringe this time.
Make a Swipe File Save author videos you like. Figure out what made them work. Borrow the bones. Make it yours. Not stealing, it’s research.
Repetition Isn’t Repetitive (to New Followers) Think you’ve already said it? Say it again—differently. New people are always watching. And the old ones probably weren’t paying attention the first time anyway.
Final Video Tips for Authors
You don’t need to be an “influencer.”
You just need to be a guide with a good story and a little courage. A few seconds of video—done consistently, done with care—can do more for your book than a month of “Buy Now!” tweets.
Start small. Stay real. And don’t overthink it. Overthinking is for your characters, not your marketing plan.
Still Curious? Keep Going:
- Smartphone Filmmaking
- 10 Essential Editing Techniques for Beginners
- Why You Shouldn’t Hire a Filmmaker
Until Next Time,
Mark
