book trailer-- yay or nay? - Page 2

VydorScope · 08-20-2011, 06:18 PM

If I had the skills, I would give it a go... but I dont, and I am struggling to find finds for an editor first. Figure thats more important then a youtube.

BUT I would say, I have never watched one, nor could I see one enticing me to read a book.

McFessel · 08-21-2011, 11:50 AM

I created a book trailer as well. Has it helped sales? Meh. Hard to tell, really. But it does create awareness, which is important. After all, no one will read your book if they don't know it exits...

Like it or not, I think trailers will become even more prevalent in the next couple years. So, in my mind, why not add it to your marketing toolbox? If you have the time, resources, etc., of course.

zkullis · 08-23-2011, 03:46 PM

I had never considered creating a book trailer until I read this thread. The idea is intriguing, and like has been mentioned, has merit and value (if for nothing else) based on the premise that it will make your book more available for searches.

However, the idea of watching a short video clip to give me information about a novel seems counter-intuitive.

CherilNClarke · 08-24-2011, 11:19 AM

I've made them for my books because I like doing them and they do enhance the landing page on my website.

My latest one, which is for an ebook series entitled The Beautiful People, is going to get a makeover soon though. I didn't put as much time and effort into that one as I did for my last novel.

nigel p bird · 08-27-2011, 06:46 AM

book trailers have worked on me several times. it's nice to have a change of medium to pass on a message about a book and can make a book stand out from the crowd.
where i think it's been most successful is to have it in the margin of a popular blog as that draws in the crowds (or so i believe).
good luck,

nigel

HarryT · 08-27-2011, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CherilNClarke

My latest one, which is for an ebook series entitled The Beautiful People, is going to get a makeover soon though. I didn't put as much time and effort into that one as I did for my last novel.

My immediate comment after watching that is that it tells me absolutely nothing whatsoever about the book.

CherilNClarke · 09-02-2011, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

My immediate comment after watching that is that it tells me absolutely nothing whatsoever about the book.

Which is why it's going to get a make-over, you are correct. That was mainly done for folks who are already aware of my work and just wanted to a glimpse of what's coming next.

What's your immediate reaction to the one on my landing page?

VydorScope · 09-02-2011, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CherilNClarke

Which is why it's going to get a make-over, you are correct. That was mainly done for folks who are already aware of my work and just wanted to a glimpse of what's coming next.

What's your immediate reaction to the one on my landing page?

Hugely better. Not my kind of book, but the trailer is well done, and good choice on the voice over.

Steven Lyle Jordan · 09-02-2011, 03:32 PM

Though I've heard this suggestion a few times, I've never figured out how I wanted to approach it, especially given a science fiction subject; visuals might be a bit tough. I also have zero experience, though, since my new laptop comes with a camera, I've considered at least trying... something.

Of those of you who have seen book promo videos, did any of the humorous videos entice you to buy the book? Or just the serious videos?

VydorScope · 09-02-2011, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven Lyle Jordan

Though I've heard this suggestion a few times, I've never figured out how I wanted to approach it, especially given a science fiction subject; visuals might be a bit tough. I also have zero experience, though, since my new laptop comes with a camera, I've considered at least trying... something.

Of those of you who have seen book promo videos, did any of the humorous videos entice you to buy the book? Or just the serious videos?

If I do it, which I might just for fun, I would use stock photography and stock video that was close to the kinds of scenes in my book and for the sound track I would likely have a modified version of the back of the book read, or just go with text on the screen.

I think that a video is probably no more effective then a good back of the book text. The audience for books is not necessarily swayed by video, IMO. Most readers, IME, find video to be an inferior art form to text.

But no, no video to date has convinced me to buy a book. The description on the back of the book is the key element for me if I don't know the author.

R.R.Seeger · 09-09-2011, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harper Kingsley

I don't mean I wanted her books (she writes different stuff than my preference), no, I meant I wanted some trailers of my own. The only thing is, if I spend a bunch of time putting pictures and music and everything together... would it be a viable marketing tool, or just a really fun waste of time?

How much of art is not a fun waste of time. Trust your gut. If an idea speaks to you, follow it!

R.R.Seeger · 09-09-2011, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harper Kingsley

... would it be a viable marketing tool, or just a really fun waste of time?

How much of art is not a fun waste of time? Trust your gut. If an idea speaks to you, follow it!

EileenG · 09-10-2011, 06:18 PM

My personal feeling is that they are not worth the trouble. For one thing, even if you decide you love the book, you can't click a link and buy it right away, and I think that is essential for selling e-books. Another thing is that unless you are in the video business or knows someone who is and will work for free, you are likely to end up with something pretty crappy. And the time it takes to make a decent trailer is time spent not writing.

HarryT · 09-11-2011, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CherilNClarke

Which is why it's going to get a make-over, you are correct. That was mainly done for folks who are already aware of my work and just wanted to a glimpse of what's coming next.

What's your immediate reaction to the one on my landing page?

I'm afraid I don't see one there at all - I just see a black rectangle. Perhaps it's something that won't play on my iPhone?

Jacquelyn Smith · 09-13-2011, 12:03 PM

My take on it is if it's something you think would be fun to do and you can do it without spending a lot of money, a book trailer can serve as another way to reach potential readers.

I do think trailers are more effective for promoting forthcoming books, rather than ones that are already available though.

I used stock photos for my fantasy novel trailer and I had a blast making it.

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08-20-2011, 06:18 PM	#16
VydorScope Wizard Posts: 3,418 Karma: 35207650 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: iPad	If I had the skills, I would give it a go... but I dont, and I am struggling to find finds for an editor first. Figure thats more important then a youtube. BUT I would say, I have never watched one, nor could I see one enticing me to read a book.

08-21-2011, 11:50 AM	#17
McFessel Writer guy Posts: 15 Karma: 550000 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Rocehester, NY Device: K3	I created a book trailer as well. Has it helped sales? Meh. Hard to tell, really. But it does create awareness, which is important. After all, no one will read your book if they don't know it exits... Like it or not, I think trailers will become even more prevalent in the next couple years. So, in my mind, why not add it to your marketing toolbox? If you have the time, resources, etc., of course.

08-23-2011, 03:46 PM	#18
zkullis Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2011 Device: Kindle	I had never considered creating a book trailer until I read this thread. The idea is intriguing, and like has been mentioned, has merit and value (if for nothing else) based on the premise that it will make your book more available for searches. However, the idea of watching a short video clip to give me information about a novel seems counter-intuitive.

08-24-2011, 11:19 AM	#19
CherilNClarke Member Posts: 14 Karma: 40000 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: South Jersey Device: Kindle	I've made them for my books because I like doing them and they do enhance the landing page on my website. My latest one, which is for an ebook series entitled The Beautiful People, is going to get a makeover soon though. I didn't put as much time and effort into that one as I did for my last novel.

08-27-2011, 06:46 AM	#20
nigel p bird Banned Posts: 27 Karma: 296466 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: scotland Device: kindle	book trailers have worked on me several times. it's nice to have a change of medium to pass on a message about a book and can make a book stand out from the crowd. where i think it's been most successful is to have it in the margin of a popular blog as that draws in the crowds (or so i believe). good luck, nigel

09-02-2011, 03:32 PM	#24
Steven Lyle Jordan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,478 Karma: 5171130 Join Date: Jan 2006 Device: none	Though I've heard this suggestion a few times, I've never figured out how I wanted to approach it, especially given a science fiction subject; visuals might be a bit tough. I also have zero experience, though, since my new laptop comes with a camera, I've considered at least trying... something. Of those of you who have seen book promo videos, did any of the humorous videos entice you to buy the book? Or just the serious videos?

09-10-2011, 06:18 PM	#28
EileenG Zealot Posts: 146 Karma: 7462052 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Dublin Device: My phone	My personal feeling is that they are not worth the trouble. For one thing, even if you decide you love the book, you can't click a link and buy it right away, and I think that is essential for selling e-books. Another thing is that unless you are in the video business or knows someone who is and will work for free, you are likely to end up with something pretty crappy. And the time it takes to make a decent trailer is time spent not writing.

09-13-2011, 12:03 PM	#30
Jacquelyn Smith Fantasy Author Posts: 10 Karma: 104130 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Toronto, Canada Device: Kindle 3G	My take on it is if it's something you think would be fun to do and you can do it without spending a lot of money, a book trailer can serve as another way to reach potential readers. I do think trailers are more effective for promoting forthcoming books, rather than ones that are already available though. I used stock photos for my fantasy novel trailer and I had a blast making it.