Book Trailers
By Saralyn Richard
I’m not sure when book trailers became “a thing,” but now the internet is flooded with video teasers that make prospective readers want to buy books in all genres. Some are professionally done; others are created with easy-to-use software, such as Canva, MovieMaker, and VistaCreate.
What I like about successful book trailers is that they crystallize the essence of the book into short, pithy artistic statements. The selected text, graphics, and video make the book description come alive with aesthetics, movement, action, sound, and emotional appeals.
The cover is hot, but the trailer is even hotter.
The advertising potential is vast, and, assuming the trailer is widely viewed, it becomes a valuable marketing tool for the book.
A lesser realized, but no less important outcome is what the trailer does for the author. In writing seven novels and one children’s book, I’ve found it easier to write a hundred-thousand-word work of fiction than to write a book description or blurb. Condensing the book into its essential parts and highlighting its purpose is extremely difficult and frustrating. What to include? What to leave out, because it’s a spoiler? What to emphasize?
Brevity may be the soul of wit, but for a novelist, brevity can suffocate. Figuring out what to put into a book trailer, both in images and words, simplifies the task. While writing is a left-brain activity, movie-making is right-brain.
Even if the trailer is “hired out,” the author must give the artist the basic information: characters, setting, and plot. If the book is a mystery, the trailer needs to capture the elements of suspense, suspects, clues, and mood, all provided by the author
. The trailer requires a script and storyboard, and a great hook at the beginning.
The video for my book, CRYSTAL BLUE MURDER, is an example of a trailer that helps the audience get a feel for the book. It also helps me clarify the important plot points and messages of the book. You can currently view the trailer here:
Crystal Blue Murder Book Trailer v2
Does it make you want to read the book? Do book trailers in general appeal to you when you are deciding what to read next? I love hearing from you!
Saralyn
Great book trailer, Saralyn! Book trailers first became a thing with romance authors in the early 2000s. There were several companies charging hundreds or even thousands of dollars to create them, and I knew many authors who paid to have trailers made before many realized they could easily make their own using stock images and royalty free music. I made one for my 2007 romantic suspense release and in 2011 for the first book in my Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery Series. I haven’t made any since, though.
Thanks for reading and watching, Lois. I’d love to view your trailers, as well. We can learn a lot from them!
Whenever someone can make money by offering a service, they will. Your book trailer is great. However, I never make time to look at book trailers. I check out the written reviews for books instead, but I guess, to your point, a well-done trailer “crystallizes the essence of the book into short, pithy artistic statements”. The prep work that goes into creating the trailer can be daunting.
Thanks, Kathryn. I’m glad you enjoyed the trailer. To the point about reading reviews, I do that, too, but I learn something different from a trailer that the author has a hand in. If I have the opportunity, I will usually watch it.
Wonderful book trailer. I’ve been afraid to go there because I find blurbs and log lines so difficult- but now that you mentioned the left/right brain factors, I might need to give it a try.
Thanks, Debra. I’m so glad you enjoyed the trailer. I’d be glad to help you if you want to experiment with one.
You’ve become a master book-trailer-er, Saralyn, and an inspiration to try it. Someday… .
Why, thank you, Gay. I’ll accept the compliment of being a trailer-er any day. I think you’d have fun creating one. It’s a different work of art.
That’s a really good one. I hope you reap rewards from it. The only experience I had with one was about 20 years ago before they became a thing. It was a good one, but I don’t even know what happened to it. The developer was a beginner and learned on me. Personally, I don’t watch them unless for some reason they pop up in my face when I’m doing something else. it’s like book reviews. I don’t really read them either. (except mine.)
I don’t know what you’re doing with it, but I’m going to your webpage where I hope it pops up as soon as the page loads!