Welcome to the June edition of our Speaker Series, where we bring expert advice straight from authors who’ve been there, done that, and lived to tell the tale.
This month, we sat down with Dale L. Roberts—award-winning author, self-publishing coach, and the unstoppable force behind not one, but two successful YouTube channels. His message? It’s time authors stopped seeing YouTube as a place for cat videos and vloggers—and started seeing it as the powerful, career-boosting tool it really is.
Spoiler: You don’t need fancy gear or a film degree. You just need a plan. And Dale’s here to give you one.
📣 YouTube Isn’t Just for Influencers (It’s for Authors, Too)
Dale didn’t start with a built-in audience or Hollywood-level production. He started with a webcam, a laptop mic, and the idea that maybe—just maybe—YouTube could help him connect with more readers.
Now, Dale uses video to:
- Sell more books
- Grow his email list
- Earn affiliate revenue
- Land speaking gigs and podcast interviews
- Build genuine reader trust that leads to long-term fans
And he’s not gatekeeping the strategy. In his Speaker Series talk, Dale breaks it all down—what works, what flops, and why most authors are massively underestimating the power of YouTube.
🛠️ Build Your AuthorTube Blueprint
Think of YouTube as an extension of your storytelling superpower. Dale’s step-by-step advice includes:
🎯 Start simple. Use your phone. Sit by a window. Speak clearly. That’s enough to begin.
📚 Know your niche. Nonfiction authors might lean into tutorials or industry advice. Fiction authors? Try character insights, dramatic readings, or reader Q&As.
✍️ Script smart. Dale scripts most of his videos for clarity, but leaves space for off-the-cuff connection.
🖼️ Prioritize titles and thumbnails. If no one clicks, no one watches. Dale shares how to design scroll-stopping thumbnails and craft titles that make readers curious.
📅 Stick to a rhythm. One video per week is plenty. Batch your content, build consistency, and avoid burnout.
🧠 Lessons Learned the Hard Way (So You Don’t Have To)
Dale doesn’t sugarcoat the growing pains:
- He chased views by making tech review videos (hello, Kindle unboxings) that tanked his channel’s momentum.
- He obsessed over metrics that didn’t move the needle for book sales.
- He burned out chasing perfection instead of progress.
But here’s the good news: Dale learned what works—and he’s here to help you skip the detours.
His biggest takeaway? Make content for your readers, not the algorithm. Be consistent. Be authentic. And don’t try to go viral—just show up for your people.
🚀 Why Authors Shouldn’t Sleep on YouTube
If you’re already juggling emails, promos, edits, and the occasional existential crisis (ah, the writer’s life), adding video might feel like too much. But YouTube is a long game that pays off—especially for authors. Here’s why:
- Video builds trust faster than text alone
Readers see your face, hear your voice, and feel your passion. That human connection makes your books more than just products—it makes them personal. - YouTube = evergreen discoverability
Unlike a social post that vanishes in a day, a strong YouTube video can keep working for you for years. One tutorial or reader Q&A can be discovered months—or even years—after you hit upload. - It fuels your entire author business
Think: book sales, email list growth, affiliate revenue, podcast invites, speaking gigs… YouTube is a hub that pumps energy into every other part of your platform.
Every video becomes a long-lasting, search-friendly asset that works for him 24/7. That’s the magic of YouTube: once you publish, it keeps working while you write your next book.
💪 Your Challenge: Upload Your First (or Next) Video This Week
Dale’s final advice is simple:
📹 Don’t wait for the perfect idea.
📹 Don’t wait for the perfect gear.
📹 Just press record—and post something helpful, heartfelt, or fun.
Then do it again next week.
YouTube success isn’t about virality; it’s about visibility, value, and showing up consistently, just like you already do with your writing.
🎉 Ready to Hit Record? You’ve Got This
Huge thanks to Dale L. Roberts for sharing his hard-won insights with the Written Word Media author community. If you’ve ever felt camera-shy, tech-phobic, or just unsure where to start with YouTube, this is your sign.
📚 Want More Content Like This?
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