Wow! Book Trailers?

I mentioned before how I watch this author’s book trailer and had my mind blown. So now, I have seven trailers up. I’m trying to get trailers made for the first two books I published, but with my OCD tendencies, I want to actually make sure they are what I’m looking for. Not trying to sound dramatic.

A book trailer is a video announcement for a book which utilizes methods that are akin to those of movie trailers to publicize books and incite readers. They are also being described as cinematic book trailers or video-podcasts.

There are plenty of places where you can get a trailer made if making one yourself makes you cringe. I’ve seen them as low as five dollars and as much as $900.Remember, you get what you pay for. It all depends on your budget.

If you want to try your hand at one, here are a few suggestions:

You will of course need a video maker. I’ve seen others use iMovie, Animoto, Corel Video Studio and Microsoft PowerPoint. I have Corel on my laptop with PowerPoint and Nero on my desktop. Maybe one day I’ll try one of them.

Use big pictures, at least 640 by 480, that are copyright free or reuse those you have rights to. Be sure you note the photographer and the URL for the photos. Also, save full size to your folder and not the thumbnail. Import your pictures. Arrange the pictures. This part is a bit time consuming.

The best thing for your book trailer is for it to be simple and beautiful than flamboyant and over-the-top. The more sights, sounds and words you add in, the more the probability that your trailer will be a hot mess. If someone asked you what your book is about, what would you say?

Actually create a script or use a storyboard.

Make sure your book cover; blurbs (if you have any) and your publication information appear at the end of your trailer.

If all else fail, there are plenty of how to videos on Youtube.