March 13, 2008
Book Trailers
You’ve seen them. They’ve been popping up everywhere. Some I love, some just don’t do anything for me, while others are very, very bad. The problem? The images didn’t have anything to do with what the narrator was talking about. Then there’s the sound quality. If it’s good, the rest is probably great, but if it’s bad, no amount of polish can make me want to sit there while my ears are bleeding.
WRITERS/READERS: What do you think about book trailers? If you’re a published author, do you use them? If not, why? If you’re a reader, do they influence you to buy the book? Have you seen any you loved?
Here’s one I think is kinda interesting.
Maybe it’s because I’m barely post-Luddite, but I almost never look at them.
I made one for THE INN CROWD. Don’t know if it’s bad or good–but I can tell you I won’t PAY someone to make something I can do. It’s not terribly difficult just very time consuming–okay the video clip portion is harder (and Maggie’s is kinda cool). Personally, it won’t affect whether I buy a book, but it may make the author’s name stick out for future reference.
I don’t go out of my way to look at them. I think they’re a neat idea, but I don’t seek them out. I’ve seen some bad ones, and some really good ones. They probably do affect my decision to buy the book. I never really thought about it!
ok that’s like the best one I’ve ever seen–very professional. Most of them, sorry, are cheesy and/or dumb or I dunno……sorry dennie, but homemade looking. They just don’t work for me. I don’t get it.
Yo, Simon!
I’ve seen a couple. They were sort of meh. (No, I haven’t seen yours Dennie, lol).
One of my issues is that I still have dial-up (which may be remedied soon). And I’m sure I’m not the only one, and it takes FOREVER for these suckers to load and play, and they’re usually not worth the trouble.
I don’t watch them and I don’t make them. I think they’re the latest fad, but I can’t see how they can do anything other than amuse. Word of mouth is still the best selling tool there is, and it’s completely uncontrollable. So, go write a good book.
Back to the WIP.
Well you know Raine, I felt so Simon-like *grabs crotch* I decided to just be him.
LOVE the smileys by the way
Hmmmmmmm Maybe I should send Paula over here. I understand Vanessa Jaye is a big fan of hers.
Hey, it is homemade–I can’t see paying for something like that–shoot my mother does stuff like that for a living and I can get her to do it–if I beg, then there is the whole owing her thing
–hence why I did my own! LOL
I haven’t made one yet and won’t say I won’t. I”ve really wondered how effective they are as a promotional tool. I have friends who swear by them. So we’ll see.
“Hmmmmmmm Maybe I should send Paula over here. I understand Vanessa Jaye is a big fan of hers”
Simon, maybe you shouldn’t.
I only look at book trailers when a post like this pops up. Otherwise, meh. Even the *”better” ones don’t work for me. They’re mildly interesting in and of themselves but I’ve never bought a book because of a trailer, and I’ve never been more interested in a book/author because of a trailer.
** (I hesitate to say, ‘good’, because that’s subjective, plus would include, for me, the aspect of fulfilling it’s target- ie increase sales/interest).
I guess they’re an added value/fun thing, like a quizz or a bookmark that an author can offer his/her readers.
You…you….y–Vanessa! You’re just beautiful
Vanessa J…….they don’t get me to buy books either–espeically not when compared to buzz as Gena mentioned. You can put a note on your site if folks want to request material. I agree with whoever said they are a fad.
I did one, can’t say it boosted my sales any. Can say I probably won’t do another one. I’ve never bought a book because they had a good trailer. Mainly, I have a short attention span and after the first minute they’ve lost me. So of course when I did mine my requirement was to make it less than a minute.
Hey dawg, I dunno bout those trailers. Back when I was working with big name who hasn’t had a hit in years, was kinda into them, but now, I dunno. I dunno. Especially the music, gets kinda pitchy towards the middle, man. I’m just not feelin them. And I’m gonna have to agree with Paula here, Vanessa,. What did you say before your stroke, Paula? “You’re mumblemumbleslurstutter pause segue innanity nonrelevant compliment”? That is the bomb, Paula, I’m digging that. Word.
Word.
I think I just set myself!
They’re a good marketing tool if done right, but I haven’t done one. I don’t know how they are done … so I find the whole thing overwhelming.
My favorites are Wylie Kinson’s for Destiny By Design and Julianne MacLean’s Her Wildest Fantasy? (sorry couldn’t think title off top of my head) I am a little hungover. LOL!
ambivalent here - Mag’s is kewl - but I don’t look for trailers and rarely ever click on one - so guess I’m one of those who probably won’t do one for myself…
good topic and interesting responses!
Cece/Simon and whoever else you are….
You are sick. LOL
I dunno. It sounds like y’all aren’t really into the book trailer thingie. I can’t really say I’ve seen one that prompted me to buy a book except for one. And that was Anne Frasier. It was a while ago, so I’m not sure but I think it was for Pale Immortal.
Most traditional readers can either take or leave book trailers. Traditional readers, such as myself, like to spend an afternoon at a BN store reading back cover copy and sipping coffee.
Potential readers, those people who can take reading or leave it, or who read but only under certain circumstances, are the real target with book trailers.
Book trailers promote reading overall and are very popular with a younger, more technical savvy crowd.
I won’t bore you with stats, unless you want me too! lol
Sue Grimshaw of Borders Group came out in the RWR Magazine saying that readers love them and named 2 trailers that were VERY successful- Christine Feehan’s Dark Possession and Cherry Adair’s White Heat.
COS has done trailers since 2002. In 2003 Borders started using them. Now we have over 300 booksellers we routinely submit our videos to. Over 5000 libraries. Not to mention that starting April 1st our videos will play in buses in 5 major cities, giving each video 10 million impressions per week. Yep…million.
The utilization of book trailers is only going to grow. Primarily because the uses for digital are growing and people are looking for content. And you don’ t have to spend thousands of dollars to have one professionally done. Our Cover Story Videos are $250. The video will be seen by millions of people. Not too shabby.
I love book trailers!
But then again…I would. lol 