The Vine App is a new app from the people at Twitter which allows users to create short video clips, (up to 6 seconds), which can then be shared or embedded on Twitter or Facebook. Here are 6 fun tips for using the Vine app for authors and writers:

 

1. Be Creative
   Make sure your first live post is creative, shows off your true personality and potential, and uses the #firstpost hashtag. As the Vine App is still relatively new, and people are still getting used to it, a lot of people are looking to the #firstpost tag to see who is using the Vine app and whether they are likely to be worth following. This is one of the places that you are likely to get noticed.
2. Think About the Audio
   Consider the use of sound on the Vine app. Because the videos (and therefore the audio also) are only a maximum of 6 seconds, the audio can sometimes sound like a rushed mess if it is not carefully thought through. Many users don't even realize that the clips they are posting have audio, since some phone users have their sound turned off and don't hear it. You should therefore aim to make videos that are effective with or without sounds.
3. Create Book Trailer
   Create a book trailer and be creative with it. You only have 6 seconds maximum, so you must choose very carefully what you do to fill these 6 seconds. Whether you try to fit in as much as possible by creating an exciting whirlwind of characters and settings, or whether you decide to create a slow paced stop motion animation, your fans should be intrigued by these 6 seconds of material, and therefore be curious to find out more. Always remember to include your book details at the end.
4. Do a Flip-Book
   Do a flip through of your new book. Show the cover of your soon-to-be-published book for a few seconds, before quickly flipping through the book. When watched at regular speed, no one will be able to see the contents properly, but this won't stop your avid fans from watching your clip over and over to try to gather more information.
5. Personal Library Walk-through
   Do a quick walk through of your home library, or make a composite video of all your favorite book covers. Whilst your fans will be interested to see what you have been reading, your peers will be interested to see whether you own and proudly display (or recommend) their work. If you include authors or their books in your composite book cover video clips, they will be more likely to recommend your work in similar clips, or on other social media sites of theirs. Mutual promotion of this type can benefit you both.
6. Your Writing Refuge
   Make a clip of your favorite writing environment. Your fans will be very interested to see the environment which you work in, as it will make you seem more open and accessible. However, if you have a favorite secret writing place, be sure not to include this, unless you want to risk hordes of your fans descending on that spot!

 

The Vine app is still in its infancy, but it is fast becoming a promotional tool. As a writer or author, you can get ahead of the game by embracing it now.

Marketing your book via the Vine app or any social network is an ongoing process. In order to properly market your book and yourself as an Author you should consider using a third-party service like http://authr.com or if you're a new author you should read the book, "Publish It Now! From Blank Page to Bestseller", available at Amazon or http://www.publishitnow.com.

Erik N Bowman is the best-selling author of "Ultimate Marketing Secrets: Social Media Marketing", founder of Authr.com and the best-selling author of "Publish It Now! From Blank Page to Bestseller".