Goodreads Authors/Readers discussion
IV. Book Videos/Trailers
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Simple Book Trailers
I use a program I already happened to have called "Nero" (version 9 - I think there's since been a 10 come out).Along with this, I also used some features on Windows Movie Maker that weren't on Nero. Simple things like making it so the still picture is moving/panning/zooming and things like that.
So you could probably achieve a reasonably professional look by just using that basic Windows software that automatically comes with windows. If you don't have Windows, there would most likely be some kind of movie creation software that is automatically installed with other operating systems as well - that's just a guess though. You probably don't need to spend a lot.
Here are mine - (using Nero and Windows Movie Maker)
I'm not sure what you can do in the way of text on the Windows one. That's something I do on Nero.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOEvFw...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3tNk0...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3hb19...
Quite simple. Just words, pictures, music and sound - (all royalty free of course)
I've used PowerPoint and/or MovieMaker for mine - all words, pictures, music, sound and some video:http://youtu.be/-lsooykXUdI
http://youtu.be/JS9f3t-r4eI
http://youtu.be/ZLJxZ3HfruI
http://youtu.be/C_vCqMz5pW4
http://youtu.be/6WEddC46jmo
I save them in WMA format.
I think I have Nero somewhere, but I find a combination of the above two programs has mostly met my needs to date.
Ooh...I like the way Elizabeth's trailers all use the same music for the book covers. It definitely gives a similar feel to all of them, despite the differences in each story.
Thanks. I thought it was important for them to have a common theme - since they're a series.
I’ve done a couple of things. One I have a video camera and I record things of interest and slip ads into them. Such as the following:Interviews:
Ira Nayman Interview: http://youtu.be/2Jdr7sZ3eLI
Stephen Pearl Interview: http://youtu.be/ZGacGsV6XvY
Readings:
Catherine Fitzsimmons: http://thejinx.wordpress.com
Stephen B. Pearl: http://youtu.be/WROQu2KtGw4
Events:
Jousting at Faery Fest: http://youtu.be/4LWwVWDL6bA
Dino Moments Giganotosaurus: http://youtu.be/-8W9avhNb_c
I’ve only made one trailer per say to date and I had to use video shot long in advance of the book's release:
Worlds Apart Trailer: http://youtu.be/D9UXfgwIhV4
The above are just samples there are a lot of other examples on my you tube channel.
I shoot the video with a Sanyo HD camera that is a little antiquated but serves my needs and use Movie Edit Prow for editing. I’ve got better with experience with the editing. Movie Edit Prow is one of those programs you can use in a few hours and take years to master. As you gain experience you increase the things you can do with it, like nesting images and the like.
If you go the video route one thing I recommend is to get a tripod. Zoom is almost a useless function with a hand held video camera because of handshake. Use J-pegs to import your covers or bit maps, and show some class; ask people before you make their content public. Most folks are more than happy to be seen.
Hope this helps a bit.
Worlds Apart
Help!! Made a book trailer and worried about copyright...any advice?
T.H,What are you worried about with copyrighting, pictures or music? Either one you can just list the links and sites to where you got each pic and list the links, site and who wrote and sings the song. Although with songs sometimes you may have to get permission from the singer or group.
Some people have told me youtube gives you free music you can use when your editing and uploading your trailer.
I did mine with Windows Live Movie Maker and it turned out quite well. And there are many royalty-free sites out there that let you use photos, music, etc. without worrying about copyrights. Sometimes the material itself is free. Google is a great resource.:)
I would recommend using materials only from sites that allow you to use their materials free for commercial use. There are also some low cost options as well.A while back, I wrote up a short little article about how I created my book trailer. There are of course many ways to go about it, but here's the link if you'd like to check it out.
http://www.djedwardson.com/from-words...
THE KNOW YOUR ENEMY GUIDE – BATTLE APESThese are excerpts from the video know your enemy guide of the United Earth Forces. The Darmuk bio-forms you will see are the actual combatants the Darmuk invaders utilised in their bid to eradicate humanity. All these creatures were engineered using Taran DNA to avoid the immune incapacities that become evident in Darmuk life forms on our world.
Extrapolated from War of the Worlds 2030 by Stephen B. Pearl.
Human hearts and human minds battle to survive against the hatred of a distant world of bigotry…and despair.
Back Cover Blurb: I am Doctor Richard Green. The Darmuks came across the stars pretending friendship. Humanity flocked to them. Ashley, Zane and I struggled to understand the technology they offered.
Now war rages, Man against mutant beasts. Worse, the Darmuks have taken Ashley, made her a modem for their biological computer. Their mistake! I can defeat their science, and give my species a chance, but to do it Zane and I must join Ashley. Sacrifice all we are and hope it will be enough.
Video Address: http://youtu.be/UhGxOIl9aGE
Available from Damnation Books: http://damnationbooks.com/book.php?is...
War of the Worlds 2030
Hi everyone, and how do you make a book trailer on a tight budget? Well, that's what I did for less than $100 using Prezi.
I've published a post explaining how I did it here: http://www.pcrmonk.com/2013/09/26/how...
Hope it'll give you some ideas!
I did one that's basically a slide show set to music:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeZvDs9NhWc
To avoid any copyright issues, I purchased license to the images (from 123rf.com) and the music clip (don't recall offhand where I got that). There are various programs you can use. I have Camtasia, which works pretty well for this type of thing. There's a freeware version that is similar called Camstudio that I've used in the past that works reasonably well, but Camtasia is a little more user friendly, so if you plan on doing a lot of videos, you might want to go ahead and spend the money.
I did the same thing. I have pretty much answered my own question as I have used Windows Movie Maker to be quite simple and fun to use. Anyone looking to make a book trailer I highly suggest you try Windows Movie Maker. Heres my book trailer I did:
Http://youtu.be/v6-vPqoVFRc
Windows Movie Maker is free, easy to use and in conjunction with Prezi, you can make some really cool videos. If you don't mind spending a bit of cash, you can get photos from photos.com or Shutterstock and get some music from Music Bakery and throw it all together. Basically that's what I used, a combination of all. http://youtu.be/RSBWXpUT4P0
I did this one completely for free - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVZfo-...I used windows movie maker, images from morguefile.com and license free music from nickleus.com (that guy is great!)
Book trailers are easy with iMovie.John
Bambi vs. Godzilla ... http://bit.ly/15slE0H
http://amzn.to/122cnyF
I did both mine for free using free stock photos with credit and creative commons licensed images with commercial use allowed and my music came from danosongs.com (he lets you use his music free as long as you give him credit). I made my trailers on windows movie maker.Whisper: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFhgo...
Short Story: Eternal Test of Time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rnfph...
Very nice Sarah, a lot of different things used I see. Windows movie maker is soo easy and fun to use.
HiHere are the trailers for 2 of my books... I used PowerDirector and Paint Shop Pro.
Unicorn - Journey Beyond Forever
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZblg...
Danny And The Seagull Who Came Back... From The Dead!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pE69h...
Hope you enjoy
Unicorn book is free to download 24-26 Dec
I love scaring people."Will A Black Hole Eat The Earth on 11-11-11?"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRQKOb...
John Rachel, Author of . . .
http://amzn.to/122cnyF
While I never originally intended for this thread to be a place where authors can post their trailers, I have since decided it can be aside from those who already have. It was intended as a question to ask if one could simply make a trailer on their own and I have found that yes you can and it is quite simple to do. I myself use Windows movie maker and it proves pretty well. I will edit the thread so it pertains to more then just a question about book trailers.To honor this change, here is my shameless plug:
The Macabre Masterpiece Book Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4NLIF...
I have made a few little movies with Movie Maker in the past and currently have one in the pipeline. It is easy enough to use with stills, video excerpts, text, effects and you can superimpose music or the spoken word on an audio track.
Just edited the thread so its now more pertaining to asking what kind of programs people use and where you can post your finished works
I've just discovered Animoto and it's brilliant. It's simple to use (hey, if I can do it...) and they also provide royalty free music and pictures. You can make a 30 second video for free, but if you want it to go for longer I think it costs about $30 a year (to make as many as you want, but don't quote me on that). I've just completed three book trailers this week and posted them on my blog, YouTube & my Goodreads page.I'm not sure if the link to my author page will work, but if it does take a look at the results (but remember - these are my very first attempts).
https://www.goodreads.com/videos/list...
Dianne wrote: "I've just discovered Animoto and it's brilliant. It's simple to use (hey, if I can do it...) and they also provide royalty free music and pictures. You can make a 30 second video for free, but if y..."Just watched your videos and they look awesome. I'm going to have to check out that site. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Lauryn - If you need any help just let me know. I think I've worked my way through it enough now to give helpful hints :D
Very nice thread, and interesting t see how so many programs can be use for making book trailers.
And I enjoying seeing many of the trailers here! Some very beautiful and well done!
I did one recently, and I have used Flash, it is a short flash animation using my own paintings/drawings and text. No special effects were applied, all done manually, using the simplest techniques for animating in Flash ^.^
I didn't add any sound, though.
---------------
I did get concerned though, learning that authors are ripping off videos, images and music/sound fx - using those without permission :/
How would you feel if other people did the same thing with your stuff? :/
And I enjoying seeing many of the trailers here! Some very beautiful and well done!
I did one recently, and I have used Flash, it is a short flash animation using my own paintings/drawings and text. No special effects were applied, all done manually, using the simplest techniques for animating in Flash ^.^
I didn't add any sound, though.
---------------
I did get concerned though, learning that authors are ripping off videos, images and music/sound fx - using those without permission :/
How would you feel if other people did the same thing with your stuff? :/
Hi, everyone. I made a book trailer recently for my novel COME FIND ME using Creative Commons photos and iMovie, which came with my Mac. The program is great, but there's a bit of a learning curve at first. Once you get the hang of it, it's very straightforward. Using still photos, it has a slower effect than trailers with action, but I like it for this book. Here's a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zI7_2...
Travis wrote: "Hi, everyone. I made a book trailer recently for my novel COME FIND ME using Creative Commons photos and iMovie, which came with my Mac. The program is great, but there's a bit of a learning curve ..."The trailer is great - it gave me goosebumps!
As someone who doesn't yet have a trailer can you tell me how much you think this helps sales?
I personally don't think even the best trailer sells a book. But it's become one of those legitimacy things. If you don't have one, obviously you are an amateurish schmuck. Same with dedicated FB pages and other social media accessories. Without them no one will take you seriously. With them they still won't take you seriously unless there is some incredible word-of-mouth buzz or there's a clip of you naked in a hot tub with Lady Gaga on Entertainment Tonight!
Honestly, it probably doesn't help sell the book a lot but it doesn't hurt to make one and try. Every reader is drawn in a different way, whether it be reading a promo, synopsis, interview, deal or even on a slight chance a video/book trailer on youtube. Also they are fun to make so if you do a good enough job people may enjoy it and even check out your work. It's a long shot but hey so was you writing a book so sometimes it's worth it.
It's fun to try, though they probably don't sell any books. But you never know. Here are a few I made or had made through Fivver.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOWuQ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjMdI...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGOM3...
I've had, up to this point about 1500 views on the two trailers I did for my book (I did two versions of my trailer because I redid the cover after the initial release).As far as confirmed sales, I know of only two. Were there more I didn't know about? Possibly. Your mileage may vary, but, as others have said, don't expect a whole lot from your trailer.
Here's the updated version:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWD86...
D.J. wrote: "I've had, up to this point about 1500 views on the two trailers I did for my book (I did two versions of my trailer because I redid the cover after the initial release).As far as confirmed sales,..."
Nice one
Great thread. I have a different perspective as a non-author. I use book trailers for commentary/teasers on my current reads that I discuss on a book podcast. I use a heavy dose of humor in the trailers. As a reviewer/commentator all the media I use ( images/music) fall under fair use.I use adobe premiere elements for production and a Yeti microphone. (great to see results from movie maker and animoto)
my approach I think shows where story reviews could possibly head: http://youtu.be/qhsl7J7LkqA
I use windows movie maker...Bishop Street trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBjbd...
Broken Image trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AIMT...
I've been entertaining the idea of starting my own Book Trailer creation business where I make book trailers for other authors. Whether they don't have the time, program or would just like someone to do it for them I feel I'd like to help out. I by no means claim to be an expert in making them however I have made four and have had solid success in their turnouts. What I would do is work with the author and ask if they have a vision of how they see their trailer going and work with them in a step by step process by having them acquire pictures they'd like to use(as long as their are no copyright issues) and I'd piece it together from there.
Like I said, I'm thinking about it but that's just a basic rundown of how it would go.
So I'm still hanging out hope that Book Trailers can be a viable tool to sell books. I think what I might do is watch some other book trailers and promote mine appropriately in the correct places. YouTube tends to be people's zone out place to go on the internet so at the very least we should find a way to embrace that as an advantage for our trailers if possible.
My husband did mine using Power Point. We used our own pictures and music that was free to download.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lX386...
Justin wrote: "Has anyone tried to make their own book trailer?Because we are debut authors, my husband decided to program our trailer in a format that allows either of us to update it in seconds. Actually, we can create multiple trailers in minutes. The only downside is it is not in a video format, so instead of posting a link to YouTibe, or embedding the finished trailer into a SM post, we post a link to the HTML page on our site. Not perfect, but we retain total control, and I think it works for where we are right now. The trailer can be found here:
http://www.ajsparber.com/ar-trailer.htm
Hey Everyone,I’m not sure where some of you have your book trailers done whether you do them yourselves or have them done for you but I have a place to recommend. International Book Promotion is a site that dedicates itself to creating short high quality trailers for authors looking to use video to enhance their promotion experience. Not only do they create trailers for you but they help you promote it and can even get people to review your book and trailer if you so desire.
They also offer:
-Book Video Reviews
-Covers and Illustrations
-Proofreading and Editing
-Social Media Marketing
-Author Merchandises
-SEO and Amazon Optimization
If your looking to make a trailer or looking into any other services but don’t want to do it yourself then check out IBP!
http://internationalbookpromotion.com...
I used iMovie to make mine. Think it turned out pretty decent.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0B_8...
I actually use PowerPoint, make it into a video and then post it on YouTube! It's actually quite easy and looks pretty good!-Nicole
Goodreads Authors/Readers
Books mentioned in this topic
The Union of the North and the South (other topics)Blinders Keepers (other topics)
Blinders Keepers (other topics)
War of the Worlds 2030 (other topics)
Worlds Apart (other topics)
Feel free to share what program you use and even share your book trailer here, listed below are mine.
The Macabre Masterpiece
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4NLI...
A Bloody Bloody Mess In The Wild Wild West
Http://youtu.be/v6-vPqoVFRc
Like A Box of Chocolates
http://youtu.be/_ftpjH4HhAk