And the Award goes to…

…TurnHere! Bookvideos.tv scored again. On June 12, we were thrilled to hear that our book-centric video network won the 2008 American Business Award for Best Video Web Site. Also know as the Stevie Awards, the ABAs were created in 2002 to honor the achievements and positive contributions of organizations and business people; they are one of the world’s most prestigious business awards.

In just a few years, Bookvideos.tv has become a resourceful and innovative tool for the publishing industry, but it’s the videos that made the award winning possible. Many thanks to our 5000 talented filmmakers all over the world who made it possible!

We're constantly looking to improve our site and love your feedback, so please visit bookvideos.tv and leave a comment.

Online video takes you home

Entering the Real Estate arena was a pretty obvious move for us. After all, our founder and CEO, Brad Inman, is the accomplished entrepreneur behind Inman News, the leading source of independent real estate news, and HomeGain, which he sold to Classified Ventures in 2005. This past year, web video became a key marketing tool in the real estate business and we were thrilled when two major players in  the industry teamed up with us.

MyNewPlace, the largest online marketplace for apartment rentals, and Weichert Realtors, one of the nation’s largest privately held real estate brokerages are now working with TurnHere to produce a series of broadcast-quality online videos that offer prospective buyers an inside look at their properties.

Video makes sense for Real Estate agents, brokers and development companies because prospective buyers can get so much more from video than they can from traditional online listing tools such as still images and fishbowl virtual tours.  Video makes properties and personalities stand out online, an important element particularly in today's congested listing market.

From the Press release announcing our partnership with MyNewPlace:

“We’re adding value for the property owners who list on our site by giving prospective renters a personal, guided tour of apartments,” said Amanda Cann, vice president of sales at MyNewPlace. “Viewing compelling videos online creates a strong emotional connection between the renter and the property that can’t be achieved with words or photos. Authentic videos help viewers imagine themselves living in the community and build trust about the community and apartment, invaluable qualities for both renters and owners.”

From the press release introducing our deal with Weichert Realtors:

“Our partnership with TurnHere and their talented network of filmmakers allows us to optimize the Weichert home-searching experience and reach out to a wider range of potential home buyers,” said Michael Montsko, president of Weichert Lead Network. “Online video brings a new dimension to our marketing efforts and enhances our ability to showcase Weichert properties, their surrounding neighborhoods and the expertise of our sales associates.”

Ypulse loves BookVideos.tv

Our book-centric video network, BookVideos.tv, continues to draw attention from prominent bloggers, media and publishing professionals. Ypulse.com, the influential youth media and marketing blog, highlighted the site in a recent article and focused on how the videos provide a unique insight to the title.

Writer Alli Decker notes that the combination of authentic content, presented in an engaging manner, and accompanied by social tools make TurnHere's book videos a powerful online marketing vehicle for publishers. Alli also suggests that BookVideos.tv can be a resourceful tool for professionals from the book business - such as librarians - to help readers find what they are looking for.

From the post:

"Recently I discovered BookVideos.tv which was created by the folks at TurnHere. It's a site where you can see videos that are mostly author related. They're done tastefully and I think they offer a different kind of insight than simply just telling you what the books are about. They're not just trailers nor are they simply digital jacket flaps. They present the author as an artist, and I think are compelling in and of themselves. I spent an hour and a half watching videos on books I would normally have no interest in just because I found the video interesting"

Online videos and authors: the winning combo

This past year, web video became an important, new online marketing tool for the publishing industry. Publishers and authors alike recognized that authors can connect with readers, differentiate their titles online and engage in the conversation around books through the use of online video. 

TurnHere has been pioneering online video as a way for book lovers to connect with the author in a comfortable, authentic setting.  On May 8, 2008 we launched the new version of our book-centric video network, BookVideos.tv, which allows readers looking for more information about their favorite titles to get the 'story behind the story' by hearing direct from the authors. Following the success of the site, Morgan Brown, our Director of Marketing, was a guest on Book World News to discuss how online video is becoming indispensable to the book business. You can listen to the interview here.

In addition, Wall Street Journal recently published an article, Watch This Book, explaining how, in a book world where authors struggle to stand out and sales are on the slow side, authors use online video to attract readers’ attention.

Clearly online video has become an important part of the online marketing plan for authors and publishers.  See how we help them succeed with online video at bookvideos.tv.

Online Video Benefits for Lawyers and Legal Firms

Choosing the right attorney or law firm to represent you is not an easy call. Potential customers base their decision on various criteria depending on their situation. But the one thing they are all looking for is a lawyer who they feel comfortable with. Video is the perfect online marketing tool to create a compelling, emotionally engaging video to help potential clients personally connect with a lawyer or firm. Reel SEO recently published an article about how online video works for lawyers and it's place as an indispensable tool in legal marketing.

From the article:

”According to the research, consumers typically visit an average of almost 5 websites (4.8) before they end up making a decision as to which attorney to choose.  When video is added to the lawyer’s website, this number decreases to 1.8.  This indicates that consumers are more apt to choose an attorney that offers an online video on their website.  Perhaps this is because the clients feel more comfortable dealing with an attorney that they can put a face to”

Marketing leaders from the legal industry are already using short films as part of their online marketing strategy to help them stand out from the competition and chose TurnHere to produce their web videos. TurnHere's authentic, mini-documentary video format breaks down doubts and fear that potential customers may have by introducing the members of the firm in a friendly and inviting manner.

You can see the power of these videos with this sample here.

Bookvideos.tv continues to change the game of book marketing

Book Marketing has a long history of promoting titles with rather conventional (and conservative ?) methods. This long tradition is continually evolving with the advent of new media marketing opportunities online, including online video. Since its launch in November 2007, TurnHere's Bookvideos.tv has captured the attention of readers and introduced an innovative way for the publishing industry to market books online. Our video-centric Web site showcases video-profiles of popular authors discussing their newest titles.  Readers have really connected with the video, enjoying the perspective that the author brings to the experience of reading. 

Using web videos as part of their online marketing strategy, publishers can distinguish themselves from the competition and give book enthusiasts an in-depth view of their titles. Columbia University recently published an article about the benefits of online video for book publishers and more specifically Bookvideos.tv.

From the article:

“The films are shot by local filmmakers wherever the author happens to be, cutting costs and imbuing the films with a natural, homey vibe.

“There’s a certain magic when you get a local producer and local writer together,” explained Brad Inman, founder and CEO of TurnHere. “They create a story together that they think will be engaging for the reader.” He added, “It’s a new way—an easy, efficient way—to get authors out there.” To date, 20 different publishing companies have signed on with BookVideos, among them Simon & Schuster, for which BookVideos has made more than 100 author shorts.

Writers whose books have book club appeal, like Walls and Picoult, are perfect subjects for the videos, according to Sue Fleming, vice president of online and consumer marketing for Simon & Schuster’s adult publishing division, because their personal narratives “engender discussion.”

On May 8, 2008, we launched the latest version of Bookvideos.tv. The new site has a ton of features and all the social tools you can think of! We love feedback and are always looking for comments to improve the site so please let us know what you think about it.