As an avid Top Chef watcher and fan, I got excited when I found out that judge Gail Simmons is writing a memoir of her life in the food industry. Her memoir is titled Talking with My Mouth Full: My Life as a Professional Eater. Her career is certainly one I admire, seeing as she has had some incredible jobs in the food industry that I am envious of.
I was intrigued when the Zagat Twitter account one day tweeted the link to the “video trailer” for Gail Simmons’ book. The video is posted on her book publisher’s YouTube page (Hyperion Books).
I have never seen a “video trailer” used as a tool to promote a book before. Gail herself stars in the trailer and it shows her encountering various fans. In the video one fan wants to know about her experience on Top Chef and Top Chef: Just Desserts. The next wants restaurant recommendations, and the one after that wants to know how to work their way up as a chef and work in the food industry.
In a marketing sense each fan that approaches Gail represents the different types of readers and audiences for the book. The video addresses her fan base while at the same time reaching out to potential audiences by presenting each different fan in the video.
Overall I think a “video trailer” is a unique marketing tool I predict will be used a lot more in the future. Not only can you get a large reach with it, but it’s also an opportunity to put yourself out there and tell a story. Also, it never hurts to have an Andy Cohen cameo at the end of your “video trailer” like Gail Simmons did in hers.
Talking with My Mouth Full: My Life as a Professional Eater comes out February 21st.
