Video might not be what you’re expecting a post on on a writing blog. You might be asking, “What does video have to do with novels?”
Well, there’s a trend recently of authors making trailers for their novel release.
I’m not too sure what I think of this. On one hand, many of the trailers I’ve seen are pretty cool, and the idea of having a trailer for Reckless Rescue is kind of appealing. On the other hand, it does seem a little… over the top?
But as a marketing strategy, does it really have anything going for it?
I don’t have any hard evidence on whether it’s effective or not, so I’m just going to give my opinion.
It’s a new marketing avenue
Videos are big right now. YouTube is big right now. A lot of people are watching it, and I think there are only going to be more, so having your novel out there can’t possibly be a bad thing. You might reach reader you might not gain through other channels.
It gives you a chance to create an atmosphere.
Moving pictures, atmospheric music, a few carefully chosen phrases. We all know it works in the movies, so why not for your book? Writers are used to only using words, but the potential once you add sound and images is huge. There is a chance to post your trailer on places such as GoodReads and Amazon, as well as YouTube, and of course, your own webpage.
My only advice would be, if you’re going to do it, do it well. (Just like anything else.) A badly made trailer won’t reflect well on your book. Better to have no trailer than one that puts people off you’re book. Keep it short, you want to give an impression of the story, not tell it in the video!
So over to you. Have you watched any book trailers? Did they sway you towards checking the book out? What do you think about book trailers? Any great ones to share?
All this month I’m participating in the A-Z blogging challenge, writing a blog post for each letter of the alphabet, on every day of the month except Sundays. Check back regularly to see what else I have in store for you.
This is timely – I’ve just been filling out an author interview and that asked about book trailers. I personally don’t watch any videos on my laptop – I’m ready for silence after a long day with the kids so have the sound off and enjoy the peace. That said, I have seen a couple of book trailers on other people’s blogs and I was very very tempted, but only because I love creating things. Designing book covers is one of the best parts about marketing my book. But as I could never recreate the images of flying dragons I have in my head, I guess I’ll just have to wait until they make my book into a movie (haha!)
I think, like anything else, if it’s done well it’s bound to be worth the effort, just for generating extra information out there about your book. But I have seen some awful ones that made me think I’d never read the book…
Hmm. That could be why I want one too. I do love creating things for my book.
Hee hee just because we’re writers doesn’t mean we don’t love all creative things. I’ve seen a lot of writers also talented at painting, design etc. And it’s much easier to see your results. A book is just a big pile of words unless you take time to read it but a font cover or video can be enjoyed in a heartbeat…
Yes, and once you’ve finally finshed editing your book, you usually can’t bear to look at it for at least a few months! I really hope I feel like reading mine again one day.
mmmm, great post Rinelle. My view on video? I haven’t watched any so I can’t say as to whether they make an impression or not though I do know that it is now widely used as a promo. I think it’s worthwhile thinking about. Unsure I would go this route though. But I don’t know why! I could change my mind of course!
Susan Scott’s Soul Stuff
I think that for those of us who are so used to text as a medium, video seems so foreign. It’s hard enough having to design/commission a cover, video is a step beyond that in terms of foreign!
I’d like to like book trailers. I’ve seen very few that looked professional, and those paled in comparison to movie and videogame trailers, which they put themselves in direct competition with by their very form. But the real problem is that even the best book trailer never represents the experience of a book; it may have nice music, acting, choreography, animation or direction, but none of those things exist in a novel. Their best traits are representative of a different kind of product.
John at The Bathroom Monologues
That’s true. A book trailer really can’t compete directly with a movie trailer. I’m thinking that trying to replicate a movie trailer is the wrong move. The best book trailers I’ve seen have had minimal acting, no speaking, and just text coming across the screen timed to music. But then, that was a romance book, I guess an action book would need something different!
I don’t think I would spend a lot of time watching a video book trailer, but it sure seems like the majority of people are very much into videos, so if it is well done, I could certainly see a lot of value in creating one.
SiouxsiesMusings
Yes, I don’t watch a lot of videos myself, but for those who do, I think it could be a great way to capture their interest.
I’ve never seen a book trailer.
TaMara
I have to admit, I’ve only seen a couple. You can find them on YouTube if you search for book trailers, or on author pages on Amazon and GoodReads.
Book trailers can be really cool, but I don’t know if one has ever persuaded me to read a book. Usually I want to read the book first and then come across the trailer. The best trailer I’ve seen is Susan Kaye Quinn’s Open Minds. It’s awesome!
I’ll have to check that one out, thanks! I too have only seen book trailers for books I’m already interested in, and have heard about through other means. The trouble is, I think that once you have a book trailer, you need to promote the book trailer as well!
I’ve seen a few book trailers, and they were cool. I have never bought a book after watching a book trailer though.
Interesting. We seem to be getting a general consensus that they’re cool, but don’t sell books. 🙂 Which I tend to agree with.
I used the same V word. I’m going to give making one a try this summer.
Can’t wait to see how it turns out Susan! I’m thinking of giving one a try too.
I like your blog. I am an aspiring novelist!
Thanks Rocky. Good luck with your novel!
I have seen trailers for novels and I think they’re pretty cool. The ones I’ve seen were well made and reminded me of a movie trailer. It seems like it might be a creative way to promote a book but I agree that if it’s not well made, it might backfire and turn people away.
So true Dan. They can be a cool tool if they’re made well. I suspect that’s the trick. Although making and editing video is much easier than it was even a couple of years ago.
Catching up.
I’ve not watched any trailers as such but did watch an author talk about their novel on a video online, which I found fascinating. I had an idea of what they might be like and I got it completely wrong..
A video of an author discussing their book sounds like fun. I suspect that I’d ramble far too much though!
I have never watched any of the video trailers for these novels. I see the link for them but I never click on them. I don’t know why I just have never had the desire to watch one. I like reading the summary/descriptions of the novels but the idea of watching a video doesn’t appeal to me.
I feel the same way about most videos! I see a link on Facebook, realise it’s a video, and wish someone had written it as a text article! I wonder if that’s because as writers, we take things in better through text, or if it’s just because I don’t want to be constantly explaining to my 8yo daughter what I’m watching?
Hi Rinelle – my day job is in video production (I’m an Editor and Soundman) so I am bound to be biased – but I think video is becoming increasingly important as a tool to create interest in who you are and what you do.
As a musician (yet another interest!) I know that I can get a lot more people to listen to a song if it has some kind of video – even if it’s just something I’ve shot on my phone. It may be difficult to quantify how many books you can sell as a direct result of the trailer, but if the video is subtle, short and professional it is more likely to be shared through social media, which will at least increase traffic to you website – if you make sure you post the clip there!
Do you have any plans on how to approach your video?
Kelly’s Eye – Writing, Music, Life
Oh MrKelly. Always handy to know people who know about video!
I’m still debating approaches, but my thought was a few brief phrases describing the key points of the story, with some videos/photos relevant to the storyline, and some atmospheric music. The bit I’m stuck on is the initial phrases, as I can’t really decide on video/photo until I know what I want it to represent.
I have never seen a book trailers. But I have often seen movie trailers about movies made from books, and thought, I am just going to go read the book. So, maybe they might work?
That’s interesting. I hadn’t thought of movie trailers advertising the book they’re based on, but I suppose it’s true. I bet a book would see an increase in sales after a movie based on it comes out.
I have mixed feelings about trailers. Some provide a great hook and get the reader interested most are just…cheesy. It all depends, I think, on the message you want to send potential readers. Do you want them to anticipate your novel like a movie release? Or do you want to really pique their interest? I don’t know. There doesn’t seem to be a concrete answer to this.
Since my book is already out, I’m just looking to get them to click on a link or download the sample chapters (and hopefully then buy). I know a lot of places talk about building hype before your book is out, but it just doesn’t make sense to me.
I mean yes, if you’re a big name author, I’m sure it works. But for a little beginner for me, if someone gets excited about my book, I want them to be able to go and download it straight away, before they forget!
Hi Rinelle,
Great post on the subject of book trailers! By itself, a trailer can’t sell books. It has a very specific job in the sales process of the book: get the viewer to take action – which should be to go to your book’s landing page on your website. The job of the landing page is to explain the BENEFIT(S) of why the reader should purchase the book. If the landing page fails to do this, it doesn’t matter if the trailer was successful. Expecting a trailer to sell a book is like proposing to a stranger you just met. Trust has to be built first. A trailer can be a useful tool for directing a viewer to your site where that trust can be established.
Hope that helps,
Jerome
Thanks Jerome. Yes, I think a trailer is only one small part of your promotion. It isn’t going to sell a book by itself, but it can be part of your overall campaign.