Question for those who write reviews of books

[Marilynn]

I have a question for everyone that I'm going to post to several Christian groups here on Goodreads, so if you are part of those groups too, but responded here, no need to respond again. My question is this: Due to having recently learned of people posting book reviews to Youtube, I am wondering how many of you here do that?

[R.J.]

A book review on YouTube is like a drink of sand.

[Barbara]

Why should I do that?

[Chris]

Author interviews are another matter altogether, but a book review ought to be posted where it could do the most good - either on a Review Site dedicated to books a reader might be looking for (Fantasy/Romance/YA/etc.) AND/OR on a page where they already have a buy button and want to know whether it's worth the 7.99 or whatever to purchase.

While Amazon allows for video reviews of products, I think that applies more to showing a piece of equipment and how well it works, like the Meata-Vita-Vegamine blender for $29.95 with the optional coffeemaker attachment.

After all, books are for someone who reads. Therefore, they'd be more likely to want to read your review than watch it.

[R.J.]

I agree. My wife likes product reviews on YouTube that show what all comes with the product and how you use it. It really does help us know what we're buying and which one looks like the better deal.

YouTubers do have a lot of influence in this day and age. If you can get a popular YouTuber to mention your product, whether it’s a beverage, a video game, or a silly doll, you are going to generate sales—and there’s usually no obligation to pay for that endorsement. Video game sales soar when the YouTube community starts showing kids how to play it—even if they play all the way through and beat it, leaving nothing more to be discovered in future gameplay by prospective purchasers.

...A book, on the other hand, is not like that. I mean, what are you going to do, hold it up to the camera and show how thick it is? Read sections out loud? Maybe do a kind-of "Reading Rainbow" review featuring illustrations from the cover or inside?

I suppose if you did some kind of fan-art review that would be one thing. Maybe a fan could draw a picture from a favorite part of the book or something—personally, I as an author would appreciate that. Unfortunately, the kind of fan art I've seen is more for graphic novels/ manga or for video games and not so much for kindle novels or indie titles. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a YouTuber come close to endorsing literature except for the occasional pop-culture graphic novel.

On the other hand, if you have your own art skills and created your own picture book, like this indie author, you can do a wonderful YouTube video where you show your illustrations as you read your book out loud. Here is the link.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr-j5...
If you want to encourage this new medium, this author’s work is a good start.