DO YOU NEED A BOOK TRAILER
Do You Need a Book Trailer?
There are many ways you can promote your book. Most authors know an effective way to advertise their books is the internet, but they may not realize the best tools to use. Blog posts and social media are one way to get your book out there, but when it comes to promoting, you want to pick something exciting that will hook your readers. That is why more authors are turning towards book trailers as a way to promote their material.
A book trailer is similar to a promotional movie trailer. The trailer should introduce the main plot of the book, highlight some of the key characters and also let the audience know who the book is intended for. Book trailers are relatively short compared to traditional trailers, with most lasting between 30 to 60 seconds. Listed below are some of the pros and cons of using book trailers and advice on whether it is a good choice for your book.
Reaching a Larger Audience
If you want to reach a large audience, video media is the best choice. The second most visited website in the world is YouTube. There are over two billion users each month, with one billion hours of video consumed each day. YouTube is only one of the video sites you can host a book trailer on. Most social media sites, such as Twitter and Facebook, also allow you to post videos. You can also pay to host your book trailer as an ad on popular websites like Amazon or Twitch.
Viewers are also more likely to watch a short trailer for an unknown product compared to reading a blog post or similar advertisement about a book. Videos are also more memorable and easier to share. Another benefit of videos is how they appear in search results. Readers are less likely to read an old blogpost or social media listing, in no small part because it is difficult to find. Searching for a video is much easier and is less likely to get buried under similar results.
Reaching a Larger Audience
If you want to reach a large audience, video media is the best choice. The second most visited website in the world is YouTube. There are over two billion users each month, with one billion hours of video consumed each day. YouTube is only one of the video sites you can host a book trailer on. Most social media sites, such as Twitter and Facebook, also allow you to post videos. You can also pay to host your book trailer as an ad on popular websites like Amazon or Twitch.
Viewers are also more likely to watch a short trailer for an unknown product compared to reading a blog post or similar advertisement about a book. Videos are also more memorable and easier to share. Another benefit of videos is how they appear in search results. Readers are less likely to read an old blogpost or social media listing, in no small part because it is difficult to find. Searching for a video is much easier and is less likely to get buried under similar results.
Building a Brand
Book trailers are not only a tool to advertise your books but also yourself. Part of succeeding as a writer is creating a brand for yourself. Book trailers help you stand out and give your work a professional appearance. If you host your own trailers, fans can subscribe to your page and get updates whenever you release a new trailer. You may even be able to use your channel as a way to promote your work outside of trailers.
Better Engagement
A unique aspect of book trailers is engagement. The majority of video hosting sites allow users to comment on the trailer, which is a good way to gauge interest. Even if there are no comments, you can still look at the views your trailer generates and whether it is getting liked or disliked. This provides greater feedback than other methods of advertising. As you continue to build your brand, you are more likely to get comments from your fans, which helps boost the popularity of your trailer.
Cost Considerations
The biggest downside of creating a book trailer is the cost. You can potentially avoid this if you are comfortable making your own videos and already have the necessary software. Most authors must hire an outside company to help produce a trailer. While this gives you the added benefit of working with an experienced publicist to help sell your idea, on average, you can expect to pay between $500 to $2,000 for a trailer.
Building a Great Trailer
The key to making a successful book trailer is identifying your target audience. Once you know your audience, it becomes easier to hook them with a unique trailer. Your trailer needs to capture attention within the first few seconds and highlight the strengths of your book. You need to decide what imagery and audio sets the tone for your book.
While it can increase the cost, many of the best book trailers involve voiceover audio. You do not want to skimp on costs; otherwise, you end up with a low-quality trailer that is hard to take seriously. You must carefully curate which quotes are used in the book and how they line up with the imagery being displayed.
If you are advertising an already released book, incorporate positive reviews. These are best placed at the end of the trailer as a way to reinforce the quality of what the viewer just saw.
Hiring a Book Trailer Production Company
Book trailers are still a niche product, but there are several video production services that specialize in book trailers. Some examples include:
You can also search for freelance video producers through sites like Upwork, Production Hub, or even Craigslist. If you hire a freelancer, make sure to check for references and ask if you can speak with previous clients. Freelancers often charge less, typically using an hourly rate, but they do not have the same resources as larger companies.
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