What you need to know to do a book trailer

[Everly]

There have been a lot of discussions lately about book trailers, if they really work and how to make them. Since I come to writing by way of the film industry, I thought I would weigh in on the subject. Here is my article about what you need to know before making your own trailer. I also show 10 very successful trailers and go over what makes them work.

http://ellelapraim.com/top-10-video-b...

I would love to hear your thoughts. Have you made a book trailer? What was your experience? Is it helping your sales?

[Deborah]

I was so glad to see your post because I want to be ready with input when my publisher contacts me about the trailer they'll be doing. I've seen some pretty cheesy ones out there, and yet I'm convinced we wouldn't have to spend a fortune to do a decent one.
Time and Again: Charlotte of Miles Station

[Lady]

Hi All: Mine was done by a young film editor...not costly at all. And, original music.

It's on my site www.lady-ellen.com

Cheers,
LE

[Deborah]

Lady, awesome trailer. Not costly at all? Can you give us a ballpark figure?

[Lady]

Yeah..I was pretty tickled. Depends how long and what you want..you have the discussion with her and agree to a plan..but around $1,000. to maybe $1,500.00..again, it's really about what you want to do. Some things are easier than others.

I know I started with Createspace who publishes my print books and then were around $2,500.00 for 60 second one..way more than I could put out.

Cheers,
LE

[Patti]

I used one true media - not the free version - it costs around $60 and did it myself - I think it turned out ok :) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=...

[Michelle]

Great info:) Thanks guys

[mountainmama]

There are a few other discussions on Goodreads about book trailers and I've seen a lot that people have made themselves. I've made a dozen or so for friends for FREE!!

I agree that movement is important, music that fits the mood, great pictures, and a blurb that doesn't try to tell the whole story, just gives you a taste. And most important - KEEP IT SHORT!! Most people won't watch much more than a minute.

Here's the last one I made for Linell Jeppsen's book, The Hunt:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9e42KN...

No, they can't compete with a professionally done $1000 video, but I'm not convinced they sell a lot of books, so I'm not too willing to put a lot of money into one!

[S B]

If any of you would like to take a look at my book trailer and give me some feedback I would appreciate it. You can see it at http://honiebriggs.com
It's longer than a minute, but shorter than a breadbox. Leave a comment about it on my blog if you like. Please be gentle, it's my first one.

[mountainmama]

Patti wrote: "I used one true media - not the free version - it costs around $60 and did it myself - I think it turned out ok :) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=..."


Patti, yours is gorgeous! Love the music and pictures. It's a little long, but keeps your interest.

[S B]

Patti, I looked at your trailer for Progeny of Innocence. Wow. The audio selection is perfect. Your images are vivid and crisp. Nice Job!!

[S B]

Hey Mountainmama, I viewed the trailer you did for The Hunt. Nice photos. Sunlight through trees is my favorite visual effect, I use it a lot in my personal photography. I am so glad you posted here because I would not have discovered your music credit. I checked out danosongs.com as well. I will definitely use that in the future. I'm always willing to give credit and even pay retail for music, I just cannot understand why some artists don't want their work shared.

[mountainmama]

Stephanie, another good place for music is pond5.com. They have clips starting at $2 and up to hundreds, but I can always find something for less than $10.

[Laura]

Wow, I'm impressed with alot of the trailers and how to's, nice work. I did my own book trailer a few days ago. I wonder if anyone would let me know what they think of it. I posted it to YouTube.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeEFH9...
Thanks and I'm glad to see honest interest in the subject.

[Laura]

Laura wrote: "Wow, I'm impressed with alot of the trailers and how to's, nice work. I did my own book trailer a few days ago. I wonder if anyone would let me know what they think of it. I posted it to YouTube.
L..."

Oh, I got the sound effects from, http://incompetech.com/m/c/royalty-fr...

[S B]

Laura, I have some feedback for you, not negative, just feedback. The shot of text that says download your copy today needs to be longer and say where to get your book. Did you use Windows MovieMaker? I recognized some of the effects, so just wondering. The cinematic theme in WMM is good. I used it. You might want to remove it from the frames with your book cover though. The Black Woods cover is visually appealing and it needs to be seen. The audio builds nicely. I liked it. Also liked that you used "2nd edit" in the title. funny : )

[S B]

Laura wrote: "Wow, I'm impressed with alot of the trailers and how to's, nice work. I did my own book trailer a few days ago. I wonder if anyone would let me know what they think of it. I posted it to YouTube.
L..."

Laura, Feel free to take a look at my book trailer and give me some feedback as well. I know it's long. So if you don't have 3 minutes to spare, you might not want to bother with it, but if you do, it might make you smile.(http://honiebriggs.com/book-trailer/

[Marius]

Viral videos. Something that captures your book but is not 'your book'. Get people interested in the themes of your book. I wonder if there's a dedicated site for book trailers? Maybe there is or maybe I should stop thinking out loud.

[mountainmama]

LOL, let us know if anyone answers!

[Laura]

Stephanie wrote: "Laura wrote: "Wow, I'm impressed with alot of the trailers and how to's, nice work. I did my own book trailer a few days ago. I wonder if anyone would let me know what they think of it. I posted it..."

Your trailer was Very inspirational! The music fits perfectly, I loved it. Thanks for the comments, I will work on it more and repost later with 3rd Edits, LOL.

[mountainmama]

Elle wrote: "There have been a lot of discussions lately about book trailers, if they really work and how to make them. Since I come to writing by way of the film industry, I thought I would weigh in on the sub..."

Definitely some different types on there Elle. I love seeing how many ways people can get their point across.

[mountainmama]

Lady wrote: "Hi All: Mine was done by a young film editor...not costly at all. And, original music.

It's on my site www.lady-ellen.com

Lady, that's beautiful. Love it.

[S B]

mountainmama wrote: "Stephanie, another good place for music is pond5.com. They have clips starting at $2 and up to hundreds, but I can always find something for less than $10."

Thanks mountainmama!

[mountainmama]

Stephanie wrote: "If any of you would like to take a look at my book trailer and give me some feedback I would appreciate it. You can see it at http://honiebriggs.com
It's longer than a minute, but shorter than a br..."

Stephanie, your trailer is beautiful. Music is perfect and pictures are fabulous. A little longer than I like, but works well.

[mountainmama]

Laura wrote: "Wow, I'm impressed with alot of the trailers and how to's, nice work. I did my own book trailer a few days ago. I wonder if anyone would let me know what they think of it. I posted it to YouTube.
L..."

Laura, you did a great job. I agree with Stephanie though, you could make the slide longer that tells where to buy!!

[S B]

Laura wrote: "Stephanie wrote: "Laura wrote: "Wow, I'm impressed with alot of the trailers and how to's, nice work. I did my own book trailer a few days ago. I wonder if anyone would let me know what they think ..."

Thanks for the kind words, Laura. LOL2 It took me just short of forever. I had MANY versions, so you're way ahead with only two edits. Tweaks, that's all.

[mountainmama]

I'd love to be able to go back and make some changes to the first trailer I made for M.O.D.. But it's got over 1000 views, and the url is embedded all over the place, so I hate to have to remove it from YouTube and put up another. Here's my first effort:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=It9YGW...

[Laura]

Okay, I redid the trailer for Black Woods. Enjoy!
http://youtu.be/BWL85SLi0do

[C.L.]

Well I don't have book trailer exactly. What I do have is a friend who is an independent film producer who shot a scene from my book The Mystery of Hurtleberry House. We did have some sound issues, but all in all I thought it was pretty neat. Here's the link:
http://vimeo.com/33460510

[mountainmama]

Laura wrote: "Okay, I redid the trailer for Black Woods. Enjoy!
http://youtu.be/BWL85SLi0do"

Fabulous, Laura! I especially liked the wolf moving thru the woods at the end.

[mountainmama]

C.L. wrote: "Well I don't have book trailer exactly. What I do have is a friend who is an independent film producer who shot a scene from my book The Mystery of Hurtleberry House. We did have some sound issues,..."

That was cool, CL.

[Laura]

C.L. wrote: "Well I don't have book trailer exactly. What I do have is a friend who is an independent film producer who shot a scene from my book The Mystery of Hurtleberry House. We did have some sound issues,..."

That was different, I liked!

[Laura]

mountainmama wrote: "Laura wrote: "Okay, I redid the trailer for Black Woods. Enjoy!
http://youtu.be/BWL85SLi0do"

Fabulous, Laura! I especially liked the wolf moving thru the woods at the end."

Thanks, I tried for a unique ending. :)

[Everly]

Thanks guys for your thoughts! I love seeing how many people actually have trailers. I think I need to do another top ten article, only this time for indi authors.