Book Trailers

[boswellbaxter]

Do you think it's worth having one done for a new book? As a reader, I never seek them out, and I've never bought a book based on a trailer. (On the other hand, I've seen some trailers with typographical errors, etc., that scared me away from buying the book being promoted.) Still, I saw a site the other day where someone had linked to one, and it did seem to be getting a fair amount of hits despite the fact that the author's not in the best-seller category. Thoughts?

[Misfit]

I think they are fun to watch (most of the time) and sometimes unintentionally funny (typos), but I don't seek them out, nor do I choose a book because of one.

[EC2]

I think they are entertaining and I think they are a good value add on to your website and to have out there as extra promo, but not vital. There are some dreadful trailers out there - the ones that take you through every single transition in the programme just because they're available to use or have words in fonts you can't read or that whizz by too fast. There are others that are just boring long synopses that are telling not selling. If you are having one done professionally, be prepared to spend the dosh. If you're doing it yourself, be prepared to put in the time. I have just switched from Moviemaker to Pro-show Producer and am on a steep (but fun) learning curve.

I tell you where trailers are useful - as a selling tool when you come to hand in your submission package to your publisher. I now add a trailer to mine because it gives an editor an emotive visual and something to show to the marketing team too. There are more uses for trailers than just sharing with readers.

[wendy]

EC2 - I like your trailer for "A Place Beyond Courage" - and never thought to submit a trailer to publishers before. Neat idea.
Sorry to hear about your e-mail hacker!

[EC2]

Wendy, I was at a much earlier stage in the learning curve with A Place Beyond Courage and I learned a lot from it. I think subsequent ones have improved. I'm going to redo APBC at some point. I've just done one for Lady of the English and also put up a slideshow of my UK (mostly) book covers.

To come back to the main question. I would think visual content will always be a bonus. If you don't want to do a book trailer as such, doing author interviews or bits of historical detail like mini documentaries in trailer form all add to the value.

[wendy]

Wendy, I was at a much earlier stage in the learning curve with A Place Beyond Courage and I learned a lot from it. I think subsequent ones have improved. I'm going to redo APBC at some point. I've just done one for Lady of the English and also put up a slideshow of my UK (mostly) book covers.

To come back to the main question. I would think visual content will always be a bonus. If you don't want to do a book trailer as such, doing author interviews or bits of historical detail like mini documentaries in trailer form all add to the value.

I'm currently at the same early stage, which is probably why I enjoyed A Place Beyond Courage. I've since checked out Lady of the English (love the music by the way) and now have something even more inspiring to work toward . . . . :)
Good luck with the latest novel.

[Elysium]

I don't seek them out but I've recently watched few and I liked those but I wouldn't buy a book because of it. But I think it's a nice extra to promote a book.

[Divia]

I agree with the others. They are nice to watch but I don't search them out. Also some are really dumb. I think its a nice addition to a website though.

[boswellbaxter]

Thanks, folks! It's given me something to ponder.

[fljustice]

I agree with the others. They are nice to watch but I don't search them out. Also some are really dumb. I think its a nice addition to a website though.

The general consensus on this and other boards I've checked out is that, when well done, book trailers are interesting additions to websites and author pages (Amazon and Goodreads let's you post on your author page); but most people don't seek them out or make a buy decision based on them. When they're poorly done, they can actually hurt. I ran across a (very) few hardcore "If there's a trailer, I won't buy the book." But these seem to be the same people who "won't ever buy an ereader" or read an eBook on their computer.:rolleyes:

And EC2 has a good alternative to a book trailer. Author interviews, readings, etc. can be just as effective and can also be posted at Amazon and other places. Unfortunately, Amazon only allows one video at a time, so if you have more than one piece, you have to choose.

[cw gortner]

I just had one made for The Tudor Secret (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9mJ-6E8rzg), mainly for extra content on the online sites. I've now done one for each of my books, so it's kind of a requirement. I do like watching them when I see them and in fact on some occasions the trailer has prompted me to further explore the book.

Unlike EC, I'm terrible at making my own, so I hire out :).

[TonyHays]

I've done my own, but I always run them by my editor and the publicity staff at Tor/Forge. They keep me from embarrassing myself. I hope.