Learn how to create a book trailer - BookTrailer101.info

[Rich]

I teach creating book trailers. My website http://booktrailer101.info is the textbook for my courses and workshops. Lately I have been working with publishers, trailer production companies and authors expanding the techniques and tips.

I always view the trailer submissions from the eye of an instructor analyzing the approach, timing, structure and effectiveness.

[Oak]

Thanks for following up and posting, Rich.

[Rich]

You are welcome. Studying book trailers has been my passion for several years now. I am writing a how-to book which should be out this summer. The website is my canvas for my research and ideas. I welcome questions and feedback.

[Rich]

I paid the highest compliment to one of the book trailers in the 2014 year competition, after viewing the trailer I bought the book. Just finished chapter 1.

[Donna]

Rich wrote: "I paid the highest compliment to one of the book trailers in the 2014 year competition, after viewing the trailer I bought the book. Just finished chapter 1."

Which book is that?

[Rich]

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

[Rich]

Actually I narrowed the list down to two pretty quickly.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
and
Take One With You

I thought both were excellent.

[Donna]

Rich wrote: "Actually I narrowed the list down to two pretty quickly.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
and
Take One With You

I thought both were excellent."

I've not read Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. Take One With You was an excellent read.
Both trailers were fantastic.

[Rich]

I showed my wife who has been a freelance writer for over 20 years. She liked Take 'One With You' better. The high concept was so strong. Had the hook "Who would you kill?" been presented before the directive it would have been my choice.

[Rich]

I look at book trailers from the perspective of how well they do their job of selling the book. I try to separate myself from the book as I often analyze YA or romance trailers.

[Oak]

Thanks for the kind words and feedback, Rich and Donna :)

[Justin]

I think I have a general idea of how to make book trailers having made three and currently working on one for a friend. However, I will still look this over and who knows maybe I can add something I may be missing or touch up a certain aspect. Thanks for sharing Rich.

[Rich]

Thanks Justin. If you have ideas or suggestions please tell me. I am currently teaching a 5 week night class at Trent Univ Oshawa where the students create a trailer as their project.

I am using a draft of the Book Trailer 101 book as the textbook. It is my beta test.

[Rich]

I spent yesterday cleaning up the trailer analysis pages for the sample trailers. http://bt101.info/trailers

As an example here is the analysis of the Mirium Black trailer http://bt101.info/bm

[Donna]

Rich wrote: "I spent yesterday cleaning up the trailer analysis pages for the sample trailers. http://bt101.info/trailers

As an example here is the analysis of the Mirium Black trailer http://bt101.info/bm"

Very interesting...

[Rich]

That is how I developed the course. I analyzed and dissected book trailers. I put the ones that best illustrate specific aspects on the site. My former student's trailers are there also

You can filter the list by type up top such as seeing only character approach trailers.

[Justin]

I looked into the link you posted and came to some very good and interesting conclusions about what you write. The first book trailer made? Those credits are way too long and your right, definitely should not be modeled after. My own book trailers are actually right in the range of your number of 2:30 so I guess I'm doing good there! lol. "Book Trailers never contain spoilers" I totally agree and I don't like giving spoilers though what really classifies as a spoiler? Sometimes in book trailers you have to sort of give a little away but do it in the right fashion so your not truly giving anything away at all, if that makes sense.

Do people need a book trailer? Yes. I think it's one of the most under valued tools in the promotion of a book. Doesn't take long or isn't that hard to make as long as you know what you're doing. Plus, their really fun to make. I think they work for audiences who look to buy books based of watching trailers or browse Youtube or heard about the book, watch the trailer and it acts as a final selling point, sort of like a reasonable Car salesmen with a friendly pitch.

So I have found that your right about what you have concluded about book trailers, they are a great way for authors to reach readers and there's really no reason to stress over them as you describe, they can be very easily done and done very well.

[Donna]

Well said Justin :)