Video previews

GeoffC · 10-04-2010, 10:56 AM

Video previews of books seem to be increasing, could some authors explain to me the value of these videos.

Most of what I've seen are just pretty backgrounds, perhaps images including people with perhaps vocal explanation/music; and writing flashing on the screen that could and should easily be available to (erm) read!

Don't get me wrong, some look very professional in production and display, but do they offer value for money?

Personally I wouldn't buy on the strength of a video taster.

sakura-panda · 10-04-2010, 02:54 PM

I've never watched a video book review/trailer (nor plan to) -- I'm more interested in reading a random excerpt (from somewhere in the middle) to see if I like the style of the writing.

I watch trailers for movies and tv shows, but again I'm more checking out the style of of the show and whether or not I want to sit through it than looking for a description or synopsis.

CaraM · 10-14-2010, 09:28 PM

I don't think trailers sell books. I had a professional trailer done for Logan's Redemption. It did nothing for sales. I made my own trailer for my romantic suspense coming out in December. It was easy and inexpensive to make. I don't think it will get me sales, but some readers, especially romance readers, like to view them. My book isn't out yet and my new trailer on You Tube has had three times as many hits as my origitinal trailer done over 3 years ago. I think trailers are getting more acceptable, but as a fun thing. I don't see how they help sales.

GraceKrispy · 10-15-2010, 12:43 AM

Honestly, I don't like watching any trailers on my computer. I also hate when I click on a link to a news story and they won't let me read the story, I have to watch a video. I don't usually bother.

I do find it interesting that it's become a big thing, the whole book trailer thing. Guess the world is a video place. And I'm in the dark ages

GeoffC · 10-15-2010, 10:53 AM

you an' me both GK !

queentess · 10-15-2010, 01:50 PM

I've been curious about this trend myself. I've seen the occasional ebook trailer floating around, but never viewed one until the trailer was released for the newest Wheel of Time book coming out this November. Having watched that one, I'm not sure I understand the point of releasing a visual ad for a text-based product. I'd rather read a blurb about the book, or sample some of it. I suppose it has the same appeal that a fancy cover does: pull you in with some exciting visuals and get you to look at the book more closely. It just doesn't have the same ease that glancing at a cover does... it's more of a time investment, even if it's only 1.5 minutes long.

GraceKrispy · 10-16-2010, 04:35 AM

I think I realize the trailers aren't made for us. We read. We'll read the books even if there isn't a fancy moving picture (or not moving, as many seem to be slideshows... ok, well, the two I tried to watch) to draw us in. They are meant to draw in the people that *don't* read and perhaps suggest that they could make their own movie in their heads while they read? Or maybe so they'll see the movie first (trailer) and then want o read the book?

simonroyle · 10-16-2010, 06:08 AM

I am 50-50 on this, but I think if it is done well like this one then it is "good advertising".

I don't think that a trailer would, on its own, cause me to buy a book. It may cause me to read a sample of a book.

GeoffC · 10-16-2010, 06:47 AM

As, perhaps, a variation in the 'a picture paints a thousand' words, then one could argue a trailer may have merit - but I would rather read a blurb than view a video.

Perhaps one reason would be that I prefer to view the scene of the story through my own imagination, rather than have that scene 'forced' on my imagination before hand.

A trailer could 'steer' the reader in the way the author wants, maybe?

krbunn · 10-16-2010, 08:09 AM

Just a thought.

Most authors focus on the "written word."

Most avid readers also focus on the "written word."

In today's video culture, the average casual reader (whatever that is) seems more orientated toward audio/visual than written media.

I think for quick evaluation of most materials the trend will be to push a button and watch, rather than turn a page to read.

simonroyle · 10-16-2010, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeoffC

Perhaps one reason would be that I prefer to view the scene of the story through my own imagination, rather than have that scene 'forced' on my imagination before hand.

I can't handle audio books for the same reason. The book is a movie in my mind, and when I hear the voice of the author reading it - that movie reel unravels wildly across the floor of my brain.

I think trailers have come about partly in reaction to the sheer volume of new books hitting the market each year. Going from approx. 300K per year to 1M per year is a large jump.

Next year I suspect that the number will be upwards of 2M. So to that extent anything that gets the title out there is a "good thing".

10-04-2010, 10:56 AM	#1
GeoffC Chocolate Grasshopper ... Posts: 27,599 Karma: 20821184 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scotland Device: Muse HD , Cybook Gen3 , Pocketbook 302 (Black) , Nexus 10: wife has PW	Video previews Video previews of books seem to be increasing, could some authors explain to me the value of these videos. Most of what I've seen are just pretty backgrounds, perhaps images including people with perhaps vocal explanation/music; and writing flashing on the screen that could and should easily be available to (erm) read! Don't get me wrong, some look very professional in production and display, but do they offer value for money? Personally I wouldn't buy on the strength of a video taster.

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10-04-2010, 02:54 PM	#2
sakura-panda Guru Posts: 932 Karma: 9558874 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Southeast Michigan, USA Device: Kindle Oasis; 11" iPad Pro (Books, Kindle, Kobo, MapleRead SE)	I've never watched a video book review/trailer (nor plan to) -- I'm more interested in reading a random excerpt (from somewhere in the middle) to see if I like the style of the writing. I watch trailers for movies and tv shows, but again I'm more checking out the style of of the show and whether or not I want to sit through it than looking for a description or synopsis.

10-14-2010, 09:28 PM	#3
CaraM Guru Posts: 924 Karma: 1000000 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: Kindle	I don't think trailers sell books. I had a professional trailer done for Logan's Redemption. It did nothing for sales. I made my own trailer for my romantic suspense coming out in December. It was easy and inexpensive to make. I don't think it will get me sales, but some readers, especially romance readers, like to view them. My book isn't out yet and my new trailer on You Tube has had three times as many hits as my origitinal trailer done over 3 years ago. I think trailers are getting more acceptable, but as a fun thing. I don't see how they help sales.

10-15-2010, 12:43 AM	#4
GraceKrispy It's Dr. Penguin now! Posts: 3,909 Karma: 4705733 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: (USA) Device: iPad mini, Samsung Note 3, Sony PRS-650 (rarely used now)	Honestly, I don't like watching any trailers on my computer. I also hate when I click on a link to a news story and they won't let me read the story, I have to watch a video. I don't usually bother. I do find it interesting that it's become a big thing, the whole book trailer thing. Guess the world is a video place. And I'm in the dark ages

10-15-2010, 10:53 AM	#5
GeoffC Chocolate Grasshopper ... Posts: 27,599 Karma: 20821184 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scotland Device: Muse HD , Cybook Gen3 , Pocketbook 302 (Black) , Nexus 10: wife has PW	you an' me both GK !

10-15-2010, 01:50 PM	#6
queentess Reading is sexy Posts: 1,303 Karma: 544517 Join Date: Apr 2009 Device: none	I've been curious about this trend myself. I've seen the occasional ebook trailer floating around, but never viewed one until the trailer was released for the newest Wheel of Time book coming out this November. Having watched that one, I'm not sure I understand the point of releasing a visual ad for a text-based product. I'd rather read a blurb about the book, or sample some of it. I suppose it has the same appeal that a fancy cover does: pull you in with some exciting visuals and get you to look at the book more closely. It just doesn't have the same ease that glancing at a cover does... it's more of a time investment, even if it's only 1.5 minutes long.

10-16-2010, 04:35 AM	#7
GraceKrispy It's Dr. Penguin now! Posts: 3,909 Karma: 4705733 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: (USA) Device: iPad mini, Samsung Note 3, Sony PRS-650 (rarely used now)	I think I realize the trailers aren't made for us. We read. We'll read the books even if there isn't a fancy moving picture (or not moving, as many seem to be slideshows... ok, well, the two I tried to watch) to draw us in. They are meant to draw in the people that don't read and perhaps suggest that they could make their own movie in their heads while they read? Or maybe so they'll see the movie first (trailer) and then want o read the book?

10-16-2010, 06:08 AM	#8
simonroyle Addict Posts: 309 Karma: 500370 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Bangkok Device: kindle	I am 50-50 on this, but I think if it is done well like this one then it is "good advertising". I don't think that a trailer would, on its own, cause me to buy a book. It may cause me to read a sample of a book.

10-16-2010, 06:47 AM	#9
GeoffC Chocolate Grasshopper ... Posts: 27,599 Karma: 20821184 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scotland Device: Muse HD , Cybook Gen3 , Pocketbook 302 (Black) , Nexus 10: wife has PW	As, perhaps, a variation in the 'a picture paints a thousand' words, then one could argue a trailer may have merit - but I would rather read a blurb than view a video. Perhaps one reason would be that I prefer to view the scene of the story through my own imagination, rather than have that scene 'forced' on my imagination before hand. A trailer could 'steer' the reader in the way the author wants, maybe?

10-16-2010, 08:09 AM	#10
krbunn Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: nook	Just a thought. Most authors focus on the "written word." Most avid readers also focus on the "written word." In today's video culture, the average casual reader (whatever that is) seems more orientated toward audio/visual than written media. I think for quick evaluation of most materials the trend will be to push a button and watch, rather than turn a page to read.

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