Case Study: Kindle Direct Publishing Author Success Videos
To highlight its valuable service, Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) sought Spin Creative’s expertise to create a series of videos celebrating the success of the platform’s published authors.
Behind the scenes image of Spin Creative filming for KDP's Author Success Video project.
KDP Author Success Video, Produced by Spin Creative
Initial process
After discussing KDP’s goals for the project, the Spin Creative team generated a project vision that would help spread the word about the platform.
We decided to create one 3-minute master video that highlights KDP authors and their stories, as well as 10 short videos (15-seconds or less) showcasing a single author’s experience. The master video was intended for use in a digital campaign, and the shorter videos were intended to be flexible and adaptable for various social media platforms.
To execute this vision, we interviewed five of KDP’s authors on camera, discussing their stories and their experiences with the platform.
KDP Author Teaser, Produced by Spin Creative
KDP Author Teaser, Produced by Spin Creative
The creative approach
Identifying the right location for the KDP shoot was key to the project’s creative approach. Our team scouted several locations in the Seattle area and ultimately rented a charming bungalow house in the Wallingford neighborhood. Choosing a home for location was important in emphasizing the idea of home-grown, independent authors using a self-publishing platform. This location in particular was also stylish and eye-catching to fit the brand and be appealing on camera.
We also made the creative choice to feature all five authors using the same vignette. The location had a stylish bookcase and fireplace we chose to use as the background. These shelves were decorated with the author’s books and other décor items for visual interest. Together, these choices created cohesion across the individual interviews and distinct author videos.
In addition to shooting video, part of our creative approach included the capture of still photography during filming. Images of the authors by themselves or holding their books were peppered throughout the videos to help with visual interest and center the authors as the “heroes” of the story we were telling. Spin Creative’s Director of Still Photography, Miguel Cornelio, shot all the photos for the project.
Project successes
One of the most notable successes in our execution of the KDP project was our ability to capture a range of content in such a short amount of time. All footage for the KDP project was completed in a single day. We leveraged our filming time by capturing content both for the master video and the short author testimonials at the same time.
Matthew Billings, Spin Creative’s Executive Creative Director and Principal, directed the shoot and conducted the author interviews while working closely with the client. He says,
“The KDP project was a lot of fun to work on, and I’m very proud of my team for executing it so smoothly. Thanks to a fantastic crew who kept things running efficiently, we were able to capture a lot of content in a single day and keep the project on budget and on schedule.”
The Spin Creative approach focuses on bringing your brand’s story to life on screen. If you’re interested in launching a video campaign, we’re here to help. Say hello!
KDP Author Teaser, Produced by Spin Creative
KDP Author Teaser, Produced by Spin Creative
KDP Author Teaser, Produced by Spin Creative
About Us
Spin Creative is a video production company and creative agency helping marketers create winning video and creative strategies that engage, inspire and activate targeted audiences. Spin is headquartered in Seattle with offices in San Francisco and London, serving brands around the globe.
