Sep 26, 2011

YouTube and Writers

YouTube - not just for dancing cats
Do you YouTube?

One of the social networking suggestions Aleesah Darlison made during her 'Promote Your Book' workshop recently was to set up a YouTube page.

Sure, I had a YouTube account, who doesn't, but a page? This had never occurred to me. If I have one talent above all others, it's following instructions. I set about creating a YouTube page under my username charmaineclancy. I know I need to add some more exciting clips, because the most recent recommendation from YouTube for me was a clip called 'Schnauzer napping'... can't wait to see that one.

On Aleesah's page she keeps book trailers, interviews, interesting clips about native animals that feature in her books and more. This is a great resource to use for writers workshops, school visits, book launches and building up your platform. If you don't have a YouTube account it's easy. Go to the site and create an account - I recommend using your author name and if that's taken, add the word author in front. For example, if charmaineclancy wasn't available I'd use authorcharmaineclancy.

Once you've joined and signed in, you'll see some arrows by your name in the top right hand corner. That releases a drop box menu. Click on Channel and set up your channel (this is the page for you to share your clips). In Settings you can change the colour, add your author pic and bio. Videos is where you upload your own clips. I'm yet to do that, hey, maybe one day soon I'll even vlog. In the meantime if you'd like to see a vlog about the craft of writing, visit The Creative Penn's YouTube page.

Want to share YouTube clips on Blogger?
  1. Find a clip you want to share, underneath is a button titled 'Share' - click it.
  2. This brings up a link for sharing, but now click on 'Embed'. Here is the code you need to embed the clip into your blog. Copy the code.
  3. You can change the size if you need to (if you have a narrow blog column), I always just go with the smaller size listed (560x315).
  4. Now Blogger does not like code when you are in 'Compose', so I usually choose to go to HTML and insert the code. But there is another way.
Alternative - Probably easier:
  1. In Blogger, when composing your blog, click on the button for 'insert a video'.
  2. Choose 'From YouTube'.
  3. In the search box you need to type in the title of the clip - the one I've chosen was called "Interview with Aleesah Darlison".
  4. Choose the correct clip from the list of possibilities. Ta-da!

If you have a YouTube Channel set up already, share your link in the comments :)

14 comments:

  1. Good idea. I use YT for videos I take of my dance classes. I don't really care if anyone looks at them but it's a great place to store your vids, saving room on your hard drive.
    Manzanita@Wannabuyaduck

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  2. I always thought that having a YouTube page was just for videos I'd created... I didn't know I could make a page and link to other interesting videos!

    Although lately I've been doing too much on the pre-marketing (I'm pre-published) aspect and not enough on the actual #AmWriting, it might be a good idea to start this slow and add to it.

    Thanks!

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  3. I shall file this away in the 'useful things to do after you've at least finished your first draft' drawer :-)

    Thanks for the info.

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  4. I don't really "you tube" I did have to post two videos to "tube" so then I could post them on my blog.
    Blessings, Joanne

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  5. Yep, will definately keep this in my to do list for when I am published. Thanks for this.

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  6. I like youtube as a place to find stuff, but I don't think I have the time (or energy) to set up my own page and, more importantly, keep it updated and provide new content.

    Isn't there going to be a new platform any day now that will combine youtube, google+ and twitter? I expect so.

    mood

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  7. I don't have an account either - just not sure what I'd add on there right now.

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  8. Facinating and well worth exploring. Great post Charmaine. Can't wait to have a look!

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  9. I don't have a YouTube account. I blog and sell stuff on eBay. That's it and that's more than enough.

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  10. I would never, ever have thought of this. :-)

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  11. I've heard of YouTube for book trailers but not for spotlighting different clips that pertain to your characters/plot/setting/et all. Great post!

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  12. Never thought of doing this but it's a great idea. Thanks!

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  13. When I first started blogging, I set up a youtube account. Have never been back. Maybe I'll resume contact.

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  14. I just have to say that sharing YouTube clips on Blogger is MUCH easier and faster than uploading a video from your computer to Blogger. I never would have thought until I tried it. :)

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