Heidi Cohen Interviews Amy Schmittauer
New book: Vlog Like a Boss; How to Kill It Online with Video Blogging
Q: What’s your best piece of advice for readers looking to improve their marketing?
Instead of choosing marketing tactics aligned with your personality, base it on the personality of your audience. Many people avoid mediums like video marketing because they don’t want it to be “all about them” with their face on camera and having that vulnerable circumstance.
You should actually be thinking about the fact that your audience wants video experiences and the value you can share with them through video will grab their attention and increase your brand reach.
Q: What was the inspiration for Vlog Like a Boss?
People wanted it. I never thought I write a book about making videos. Seems a little weird, right? My viewers and the people who hear me speak on stages around the world just kept asking for it. They wanted my guide to doing this, so I created it for them. After all, who am I to decide the best place to teach? I must go to the audience.
Q: What is the key concept behind Vlog Like a Boss?
Vlog Like a Boss is my comprehensive guide to creating video blogs that get attention. It is the greatest tutorial I’ve ever created. We discuss the importance of video and why it’s okay to break down the barriers holding us back from vlogging, but then we deep dive on the most effective ways to deliver value with video including building your video brand and editorial calendar, structuring the content of the video with my Authority Video Formula, as well as the best promotional strategies to grow your impact.
Q: What do you want readers to take away from your book
The moment you start to read the book you should feel the urge to share your message through video because it is such a practical approach to learning how. You may start with a mindset of “I would never vlog. That’s not for me.” and quickly transition to “Well maybe I could do this.” It has nothing to do with being narcissistic or wanting to see yourself on camera. It has everything to do with delivering your impact in a medium that matters in modern communication today.
Q: How do you describe yourself professionally?
I show people how to go after the life they want by leveraging online communications like vlogging to help them get there.
Q: What are 1-3 books that inspired your work/career?
- Crush It by Gary Vaynerchuk taught me the importance of taking my life into my own hands and making my life goals happen with hard work.
- Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi inspired me with more ways to connect with and bring value to my network so I always have people to help who will lift me and my business higher.
- Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert taught me to keep searching for what I really want in life even if it doesn’t go as planned.
Q: What is the biggest challenge that you’ve had to overcome?
Asking for what I want. Somewhere down the line I became afraid to ask for help or ask for the thing I need. Getting outside of my comfort zone and being able to ask when it’s time to do it has been the most important challenge of my life.
The best things happen and the most important moves you make are often the hardest things to ask for. But you must. I’m continuing to get better at it every day.
Q: What’s something unusual or fun that most people don’t know about you?
I’m a huge advocate for my city and local community. When I’m not vlogging, speaking or writing a book, I’m usually running an event as the President of the Downtown Residents Association of Columbus or contributing to the work of the Central Ohio Transit Authority as a mayoral-appointed board member. I believe if you want leave a mark on the world, you should start with where you live.
Q: Is there a piece of marketing content that you’re particularly proud of?
Counting down to the release of Vlog Like a Boss, I posted a video every day in January to show behind-the-scenes of what it was like to be a first time author. This may be considered a campaign but more than anything it was the closest my community and I have ever been to each other as they saw such a deep look into my personal life. This isn’t something everyone feels comfortable doing, but it was without a doubt the reason I have a bestselling book.
Contact information
- Name: Amy Schmittauer
- Company: Vlog Boss Studios
- Blog: savvysexysocial.com
- Book: Vlog Like a Boss; How to Kill It Online with Video Blogging
- Facebook: savvysexysocial
- Twitter: @schmittastic
- linkedIn: amyschmittauer
Thanks, Amy.
Happy Marketing,
Heidi Cohen
Heidi Cohen is the President of Riverside Marketing Strategies.You can find Heidi on Google+, Facebook and Twitter.
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