Most authors are comfortable with words on a page. Far fewer are comfortable with words coming out of their mouth, on camera, with the red light blinking.
A teleprompter changes that. It lets you say exactly what you mean, without stumbling, without starting sentences three times, without that look of panic when you lose your place. Here's how to use one specifically for book promotion videos.
Why authors need video (and why it feels hard)
Video is now the primary way people discover books - particularly on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. A reader who watches you talk about your book for three minutes is far more likely to buy than one who sees a static post.
But most authors find camera work uncomfortable for one reason: they don't know what to say when the camera starts rolling. They've spent years crafting sentences with the luxury of editing. Speaking to camera with no script feels impossibly exposed.
A teleprompter solves this. You write the perfect words first, then deliver them.
The 5 videos every author should record
The book pitch
One sentence on who the book is for, one on what problem it solves, one on why you were the person to write it, and a call to action. This is your most important video - it goes everywhere.
One insight from the book
Pick one idea, principle, or story from the book. Explain it. Show why it matters. End with "and that's just one of the things I cover in [Book Title]." These perform exceptionally well on LinkedIn and YouTube Shorts.
The author's story
Why did you write this book? What drove you to it? What did you learn that surprised even you? Readers buy from authors they feel connected to. This video builds that connection.
Who this book is NOT for
Counterintuitively, this is one of the highest-converting videos. Specificity builds trust. "This book is not for people who want a quick fix - it's for people ready to do the deep work" immediately resonates with the right reader.
The reader transformation
Where is the reader before they read your book? Where are they after? Paint that picture. "Before this book, you might be... After it, you'll be able to..." This is the most shareable format.
How to write a teleprompter script for book promotion
The biggest mistake authors make when writing teleprompter scripts: they write like authors. Dense sentences, complex clauses, subordinate clauses inside subordinate clauses.
For camera, write like you talk. Short sentences. One idea at a time. Pause often.
Here's an example of a before and after:
"In my book, I examine the leadership principles employed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II throughout her seven-decade reign, and explore how these can be applied in contemporary professional contexts."
"Queen Elizabeth II led for 70 years. That's longer than most of us have been alive. And in that time, she never once had a bad day on camera. [PAUSE] My book breaks down exactly how she did it - and how you can use the same principles in your own leadership."
Using the teleprompter for your recordings
Open FreeTeleprompter.io in Chrome or Edge. Paste your script. Set font size to 38–44px - large enough to read without your eyes obviously tracking. Set scroll speed slow enough that you're never rushing.
A specific tip for authors: you already know this material deeply. Let that show. Don't just read the words - mean them. You can look away from the script occasionally (you know this content better than anyone), then come back to it. That spontaneous quality is what separates good teleprompter delivery from mechanical reading.
Practical setup for authors
- Camera: Your laptop webcam is fine to start. Position it at eye level or just above
- Light: Sit facing a window. Natural light is flattering and free
- Background: A bookshelf - ideally with your book visible - is the perfect author background
- Audio: Earphones with a built-in mic outperform most laptop microphones significantly
- Framing: Head and shoulders. Leave space above your head but not too much
Ready to record your first book promotion video?
Open Free Teleprompter →Frequently asked questions
I'm not photogenic - will video work for me?
Yes. Readers don't buy books because the author is photogenic - they buy because the author is credible, knowledgeable, and relatable. A confident, well-prepared author on camera is compelling regardless of appearance. The teleprompter helps with the "well-prepared" part significantly.
How long should a book promotion video be?
For LinkedIn: 60–90 seconds. For YouTube: 3–8 minutes. For Instagram Reels: 30–60 seconds. Match the format to the platform, not the other way around. Record a longer version first, then cut shorter versions from it.
Should I mention the price of my book in the video?
Rarely. The goal of most book promotion videos is to build connection and interest, not to sell in the video itself. Drive people to your website or Amazon page - let the book's page do the selling. Exception: if you're running a limited promotion or discount, mentioning it creates urgency.
One book. Unlimited content. Automatic.
Royal Author takes your book and turns it into an AI coaching agent, a year of social content in your voice, email sequences, newsletters, podcast scripts and mini courses. Upload once - everything else is automatic.
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