If used appropriately...yes.
So what's it about?
This is a short visual commercial to draw interest in your book. You want it to be visually moving and make a potential reader want to know more. Bait the reader--hook him. It's like the trailers for a movie in the theatre.
How do you do you make the trailer?
#1 -Use a simple video editing program.
Easiest - iMovie and Animoto (the only drawback is that there are only about 10-20 themes per program, and if everyone uses them, your video will not stand out in the crowd). A little harder, but you get a more original book trailer -- software like Serif Studio X5 or Windows Movie Maker.
#2 -Write your script.
Write something new or use your blurb - either way make it short and interesting.
So what's it about?
This is a short visual commercial to draw interest in your book. You want it to be visually moving and make a potential reader want to know more. Bait the reader--hook him. It's like the trailers for a movie in the theatre.
How do you do you make the trailer?
#1 -Use a simple video editing program.
Easiest - iMovie and Animoto (the only drawback is that there are only about 10-20 themes per program, and if everyone uses them, your video will not stand out in the crowd). A little harder, but you get a more original book trailer -- software like Serif Studio X5 or Windows Movie Maker.
#2 -Write your script.
Write something new or use your blurb - either way make it short and interesting.
#3 -Choose the right music.
Some of the video editing software programs come with music for you to peruse, if not, there are places to get royalty free music, like: http://incomputech.com/
This is important - music moves people. So make sure that your music suits your book and the script you are using for it.
#5 -Choose images.
If you don't have the money to hire actors, directors, and have awesome video equipment, no problem. Most authors use stock images and video clips. There are lots of free stock image sites out there, like http://sxc.hu or paid sites that have cleaner, better images, like http://pond5.com
#6 -Last Minute tips:
KEEP IT SHORT - a :40 - 2:00 is all you need - if you push much beyond the the two minute mark, your viewer's mind could drift.
USE READABLE TEXT - be sure the color of the font is readable on the background you are using, and make sure that the viewer has the time needed to read the script before you go on to the next scene.
DON'T FORGET TO LINK IT - add a link to the end of your trailer or even in the description of your video on YouTube.
Some of the video editing software programs come with music for you to peruse, if not, there are places to get royalty free music, like: http://incomputech.com/
This is important - music moves people. So make sure that your music suits your book and the script you are using for it.
#5 -Choose images.
If you don't have the money to hire actors, directors, and have awesome video equipment, no problem. Most authors use stock images and video clips. There are lots of free stock image sites out there, like http://sxc.hu or paid sites that have cleaner, better images, like http://pond5.com
#6 -Last Minute tips:
KEEP IT SHORT - a :40 - 2:00 is all you need - if you push much beyond the the two minute mark, your viewer's mind could drift.
USE READABLE TEXT - be sure the color of the font is readable on the background you are using, and make sure that the viewer has the time needed to read the script before you go on to the next scene.
DON'T FORGET TO LINK IT - add a link to the end of your trailer or even in the description of your video on YouTube.
Done. Now what do I do with it?
Use it to your best advantage. Add it to your blog. To your Facebook page. To your Amazon Author Page. Tweet the Youtube link. Add it to the end of your guest blog posts or author interviews. It's yours. use it.
Here's the book trailer for my latest fiction work - a collaberation with Melissa Turner Lee -
Here's the book trailer for my latest fiction work - a collaberation with Melissa Turner Lee -
Don't write fiction? Book Trailers can work with NON FICTION, too:
And consider it for a short teaser on a book you haven't released yet:
What do you think?
Have you ever seen a bad book trailer, or one that made you want to take a look at the book? Share your experience!