Book trailers are an interesting animal. Some people swear by them and claim they’re an extremely effective marketing tool, some say they’re a waste of time and money.

Listener question from Elizabeth Jane Kitchens author of  The Beast’s Enchantress

“What’s your opinion of book trailers? Are they worth the effort? Should they be like movie trailers? Have the author introduce the book by connecting it to its theme (by talking about self-image or freedom, for instance)? Be like a slideshow of the book blurb with mood setting background photos and music? Or follow some other format?”

Shownotes:

Before we dive into the pros and cons … let’s talk about what a book trailer is.

Pros

• Could blow up
• TV is powerful. Can carry the emotion of words, pictures, and music
  • movies are the most powerful way to communicate in today’s culture
• People understand movie trailers, so make the leap easily to
• More attention getting than just copy
• Easier to share
• Makes you look like a big deal
• Makes your book stand out

Cons

• Your competition is movie trailers
• Promoting one medium in another medium
• A bad trailer is worse than no trailer
• Do you really have time to learn the skills necessary?
• Readers aren’t necessarily sold on them
• Most people can’t tell you if they work or not
• They don’t get a lot of views
• ROI

If You’ve Landed on the Pro side

• Should they be like movie trailers? Have the author introduce the book by connecting it to its theme (by talking about self-image or freedom, for instance)?
• Be like a slideshow of the book blurb with mood setting background photos and music? Or follow some other format?
• Seven keys to an effective trailer
  • Short
  • Professional
  • Get in the vid … in movie trailers you see the actors …
  • Inexpensive
  • Know what you’re going to measure
  • Hire a script writer
  • Hire GOOD voice over talent
• Resources
  • Do it yourself
    • Film students
  • Fiver or the like
  • You probably already have the connections
  • Pond5.com

Links:

• Sense & Sensibility and Sea Monsters Book Trailer
• Voices.com
• Pond5.com
• AudioJungle
• Craigslist

Sponsor:

• Ultimate Crowdfunding Course for Authors