Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Writer Wednesday: How to Use a Book Trailer


Today's topic came by request from Kai Strand. Kai wanted to know how to use a book trailer for marketing. Now this is just my opinion, but here's how I think you can use a trailer.
  • Host a trailer reveal  Get some bloggers on board to post your trailer on a specific day or week. This will drum up additional interest in your book and get the word out there between the cover reveal and release day.
  • Start a YouTube Channel  Tons of people are on YouTube, and trailers give you material to post to your channel. Why not be a part of this huge platform?
  • Post your trailer to your website, blog, Amazon author page, etc.  Just about every social media outlet online has a place to upload videos, so go nuts! Get that video up everywhere! Plus if you post to FB or Twitter, others can share your video, too.
  • Post a link or embed the video in your author newsletter  Newsletter subscribers love to get sneak peeks at what you're doing, so reward them with an exclusive first look at your trailer.
Now, do I think book trailers help sales? Not really. But they are fun to make, and they are another way to spread the word about your book, so why not utilize this method of getting your book out there?

Have any other ideas for how you can use a book trailer? Please share in the comments.

27 comments:

  1. I also have mine linked to my SCBWI Speakers Profile--especially since I made my trailer myself, I figured that offers one more topic I could cover on a panel or school visit.

    And having your book trailer featured on USA Today doesn't hurt either ;)

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  2. Good advice Kelly. I'm just learning how to do trailers. I made one for each of my book releases, but they are pretty basic. They are on my website, Goodreads, and I even have a youtube channel. Now I have to figure out how to make it viewer worthy. Sigh

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    1. Hi Sherry--I went and checked out your two trailers and I think they're both effective for your audiences! The camel one especially seems like it would get educators' and kids' attention. And I like how you tie the dragon one back to a larger aim (though there is one type you may want to fix--should be "Its name is Hunger" without the ' ) All the best!

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  3. Brilliant advice, Kelly. I'm looking forward to making one of these for my children's novel at some point.

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  4. Great info, Kelly. I'm getting inspired to create my own. Thanks!

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  5. ah YouTube! It's such an awesome platform ! I've always thought about getting a channel going :)

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  6. Kelly - you rock. Thanks for this. Since I'm finishing up my Super Villain Academy series, I've been thinking of doing a trailer for the whole series. I think I'll enlist my 17 yr old son's help to make sure it's current ;)

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    1. Good idea recruiting your son! I did a series trailer for Campus Crush and Touch of Death series. I enjoyed making both.

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  7. You forgot to add that trailers are darn fun to create...er, after you learn the technology, LOL.
    It took me several days to produce my first trailer. The second one, a few hours. Love doing them and love learning how. Education is good no matter how or what it is.

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    1. Very true! I love making trailers. They usually take me a few days to make since I have to find images, alter the images using various programs, write the text for trailer, find music, put it all together, edit it, and then test it out on some people before publishing it. Yeah, it's a process, but it's fun.

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  8. It looks like a lot of fun! I haven't quite ventured into that territory yet--mostly because I don't personally care for book trailers. Even for an author I like, I'd just rather read a summary!

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    1. I do like watching trailers. I really think only other authors and diehard fans watch them though.

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  9. I love looking at trailers. I can spend a lot of time doing it. But I have heard few will help marketing. Essentially a trailer has to go viral to have this sort of impact, and there is little control over that.

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    1. Yes, I find that true as well. I enjoy them though. :)

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  10. I'm not a huge fan of book trailers as a reader, but I made one for my first book and it was fun. Another author made one for me for another one of my books, and it was well-done. I don't think they have a huge impact on sales.

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    1. No, they don't. I do enjoy them though, so I keep making them.

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  11. I have never made a book trailer, but I do enjoy looking at them. Great tips! :)
    ~Jess

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  12. I don't think book trailers help to increase book sales either, but if they are done well, they'll definitely add to the interest. I remember a few book trailers that have kept me curious about the books. Keeping them short (maybe within 1:30 mins) and the music choice are important factors.

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    1. I actually try to keep mine to a minute, usually under. I like short trailers.

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