My publisher would love a book trailer from me. Bahahaha. Now, switch on the tears. I can't stop crying. I should've created one before my book debuted this January. But my life is super busy. (Yeah, yeah, we know:) I envisioned one last summer until my son broke his arm. I planned to video him performing a few parkour moves.
I've watched plenty of book trailers on YouTube. Is there anything I need to know? I don't even know where to begin. My writer friend said she paid for one and it turned out to be a nightmare being over three minutes long, wordy and set to terrible music. I think with the help of my techie fam, I could create one? I've told my oldest son, Mr. Artistic, that I can picture him as a graphic designer someday. He's taken advanced drawing, animation, regular and digital photography. He told me he's going to medical school. Well, we will see who is right. ;-)Technology is truly my arch nemesis. Just when I think Ive conquered this monster, it grows three
more ugly heads. I tread water in this field. I'm not drowning, but there always seems to be a shark nearby, circling me. I'm not as bad as my mom or dad. Good grief, they just got iPhones. "How does this thing work, dear?" Sigh.
I have a clear vision of a short book trailer. Any suggestions? I really don't want to pay for one! Have you made one? What are the things you love about book trailers and the things you hate?
Feel free to leave links to your favorite book trailers or to yours.
#atozchallenge #amwriting #booktrailers
(Photo: courtesy free images)
I'm not convinced that book trailers provide an ROI...especially for those who pay for one. I've never, ever bought a book based on a book trailer. My day job is writing for marketing firms and providing businesses how to get more customers using social media and other online resources...video marketing is popular right now, but it's important that the videos be something the customer will watch. An explainer video about how a piece of software works, they might watch--but only if they're considering buying it. A video blatantly selling something to customers who don't yet want it? Not so much. The only way a book trailer would be effective, IMHO, is if it went viral...and every book trailer I've seen so far has been kind of...bad. There was one good one they showed us at our SCBWI conference. The woman had friends in Hollywood...a professional production company did it! And still, if they hadn't shown it to us as an example of how a book trailer can be good, I never would have watched it. Even watching it, I didn't buy the book and couldn't tell you what book it was even for! I think that's pretty telling in itself...
ReplyDeleteGood to know! Thanks for the info:)
DeleteBook trailers are cool and work well as a teaser before a book is released. They aren't essential though, so I definitely wouldn't pay for one. I was fortunate that my publisher made trailers for my books, because I couldn't have done it. (And you can watch all three on my blog.)
ReplyDeleteI will take a look:) Thx!
DeleteI'm not a big fan of still pictures that move or spin on the screen. That "special effect" gives me a headache. A lot of text can be dull. Hopefully, you can view enough to get some ideas and then do your best. You may just surprise yourself!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a technology fan either. Forget iphones, I still don't know how to check my messages on my ancient flip phone.
Hahaha! Once you get used to an iPhone, they're pretty fun to use.
DeleteI made a trailer that sadly never came to light, but there are simple and cheap ways to go about it. However, they tend to be more effective when the publisher fits the bill. :)
ReplyDeleteI think I will have fun exploring my options:)
DeleteI would find someone with the skills you need and do a work trade. I'm a composer, so I never worried about the music thing, but there are several online sites where you can purchase use of music clips. As far as filming, unless you spend a great deal of money, you're not going to get a great picture. (I once worked for an audio/video production company.) The slide show/moving picture option can be created on any PC with preinstalled or free programs from the interwebs. If you want a very nice very professional looking trailer with video clips, you're going to spend at least $1000. If you just want the slide-show option, you can get that done for $50 to $300.
ReplyDeleteTrue Heroes from A to Z
Great info! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteJennifer, I would suggest that you watch a few book trailers. That way you will get some ideas on how to go about it.
ReplyDeleteI hope you won't be annoyed, but my suggestion is not to make one. They're passee and don't help with sales. Only two things really help with sales: writing more books and getting them on Bookbub or other book newsletters (for which they need to be sale-priced and with a certain number of reviews on Amazon). But as far as a creative venture, you might have fun making one. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm writing more books!
DeleteDo you know Nicki Elson? She made a fantastic trailer for one of her books recently; she might be able to help. Her blog is at http://nickielson.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteThx! I will look:)
DeleteI've thought about book trailers but like you wouldn't know where to begin to create my own (when the time comes). I'd definitely need someone way more tech savvy than me.
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who is self-pubbing a book that comes out in May and she has a nice book trailer- short and to the point. I'm not sure who did it for her, but you can check her out at www.perfectingthecraft.blogspot.com
OK, thx!
DeleteI know a couple writers who talked about theirs, but I wasn't paying attention. Sorry. (When it comes time for me to do one, I'm going to bribe my brother. But I don't think he'll do it.)
ReplyDeleteLiz A. from Laws of Gravity
I don't think a trailer is that important. As a book buyer, I barely pay attention to them. As a teaser they're nice, though.
ReplyDelete