Readers don't just buy books—they buy into the worlds, emotions, and voices of authors. An author interview isn't just a Q&A it's a chance for readers to see the person behind the words: their writing rituals, the inspiration for that plot twist, the way they laugh when talking about their first rejection letter. These moments humanize books, making them feel less like products and more like invitations into a conversation. For bookstores, author interviews as video brochures do more than promote titles—they build community. They turn a quick stop for a greeting card into a 10-minute stay, as a customer lingers to watch an interview, then picks up the book "just to see what she was talking about."
But to make this work, the delivery matters. A grainy video on a tiny screen won't cut it. That's where 15.6 inch digital signage comes in—large enough to command attention without overwhelming small bookstore corners, crisp enough to capture the warmth in an author's smile, and versatile enough to fit seamlessly into your space. Let's dive into how to bring this idea to life.
Author interviews are versatile—they can be short, long, scripted, or spontaneous. Here are five ideas to tailor them to your bookstore's vibe, using 15.6 inch digital signage to maximum effect:
Not every customer has time for a full-hour event, but everyone has 5 minutes. Create a weekly mini-series where authors answer one question: "What's the one story behind this book that readers would never guess?" Imagine a mystery writer explaining how a childhood fear of basements inspired the villain, or a poet sharing how a rainy afternoon in your very bookstore sparked their latest collection. These bite-sized clips (perfect for 15.6 inch screens) can play on loop near the author's section, turning browsers into buyers who think, "I need to read that book to get the rest of the story."
Pro tip: Film these interviews in-store! Set up a cozy corner with a bookshelf backdrop, and invite local authors to ｄｒｏｐ by for 10 minutes. The authenticity of your space in the video will make customers feel like they're part of the conversation.
Readers love feeling like insiders. Alongside your polished interviews, share "uncut" clips: authors tripping over their words, laughing at a silly question, or geeking out about their favorite childhood books. These moments are relatable and shareable—customers might pull out their phones to record a clip, tagging your bookstore on social media. For example, a young adult author might accidentally call their main character by their dog's name, then gasp and say, "Don't tell my editor!" Play these on 15.6 inch screens near the café area, where customers linger longer, turning a coffee break into a social media moment.
Hosting an author event? Stream it live on your 15.6 inch digital signage (positioned by the entrance so passersby can peek in), then edit the highlights into a video brochure. Even better, record the Q&A portion—reader questions are often the most heartfelt. A mother asking, "How do I get my teen to love reading again?" followed by the author's thoughtful answer, can resonate with other parents browsing the YA section. Later, repurpose the chat as a "Best of" series, with chapters like "Advice for Aspiring Writers" or "Book Recommendations from [Author]."
Why not let your regulars star in the videos? Ask customers to submit questions for upcoming authors, then film the author answering them. For example, a 10-year-old customer might ask, "Do you get scared when you write scary parts?" and the author's response could become a highlight reel. Play these on digital signage near the children's section, where parents and kids can watch together. It's a powerful way to say, "Your voice matters here"—and it turns customers into invested community members.
Most readers have no idea how a book goes from a messy first draft to a polished hardcover. Create a video series that walks through the process: an author showing their handwritten notes, an editor explaining how they fixed a plot hole, the cover designer talking about choosing the font. Pair this with interviews where authors reflect on the challenges ("I rewrote the ending 12 times!"). Play these on 15.6 inch screens near your "New Releases" table—customers will see the book not as a finished product, but as a labor of love, making them more likely to support it.
Great content deserves great hardware. Here's how to choose and use 15.6 inch digital signage to make your video brochures shine, plus tips for content creation and placement.
Bookstores are intimate spaces—you don't need a 50-inch screen dominating the room. 15.6 inches is the sweet spot: large enough to show facial expressions and text clearly (important for author interviews), small enough to fit on a shelf, near a counter, or mounted on a wall without overwhelming the space. Look for features like:
Placement can make or break your video brochure's impact. Here's a breakdown of high-traffic spots and what content works best:
| Placement | Best Content Type | Goal | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front Entrance | Live event streams, "New This Week" author interviews | Draw passersby inside | A dynamic video catches eyes better than a static poster—people will stop to watch, then come in to learn more. |
| Near Genre Shelves (e.g., Mystery, YA) | Genre-specific author interviews, "Story Behind the Book" clips | Guide browsing, boost impulse buys | A reader looking for a mystery novel sees an interview with a local mystery author—they're more likely to grab that book over an unfamiliar title. |
| Café Area | Bloopers, "Reader Meet Author" Q&As, behind-the-scenes clips | Increase dwell time | Customers linger longer to watch, ordering another coffee or browsing books while they wait. |
| Cashier Counter | Short (30-second) "Quick Tip from the Author" clips | Upsell add-ons | While checking out, a customer watches an author say, "My favorite book to read with a cup of tea is…"—they might add that book to their purchase. |
You don't need a Hollywood crew to film great author interviews. Here are budget-friendly tips:
Greenwood Books, a 20-year-old independent bookstore in Portland, was struggling to compete with chain stores and online retailers. Their foot traffic was steady, but new release sales were flat—customers would browse, then buy the book online for a lower price. Owner Maria decided to try video brochures using 15.6 inch digital signage, focusing on local author interviews.
First, she installed two screens: one near the entrance showing "This Month's Authors" interviews, and one in the café playing bloopers and behind-the-scenes clips. She partnered with a local digital signage supplier to customize the screens with Greenwood's logo on startup and a simple playlist system (so staff could ｕｐｄａｔｅ videos without tech help). For content, she invited 5 local authors to film 5-minute interviews, asking, "What's one thing you want Greenwood readers to know about this book?"
The results? Within 3 months, new release sales were up 30%. Customers mentioned the videos specifically: "I saw the interview with Lila Torres and had to buy her book—I loved hearing about how she based the main character on her abuela." The café's dwell time increased by 15 minutes, and social media shares of the blooper clips brought in new customers who tagged the store: "Need to visit @GreenwoodBooks—their author interviews are too cute!"
Maria's takeaway? "It wasn't just about selling books. It was about making customers feel like they're part of a community. The digital signage turned our store into a place where stories aren't just on the page—they're on the screen, too."
Video brochures on 15.6 inch digital signage do more than boost revenue—they transform your bookstore into a destination. Here's how:
