But even so, is this really the way readers find books? Have you ever selected a book because you saw a trailer? In my case, the answer is a resounding No. I would rather read an excerpt, a book description, learn about the writer, recieve a recommendation, or read a highly favorable review. In short, I select a book because I read about it, not because I saw a title flashing by before my eyes.
Now, I am no stranger to creating animations; see my process for Now I Am Paper and Jess and Wiggle. So? Will I put together my own book trailer, any time soon? Don't hold your breath... I am setting my eyes on a higher aim... Waiting for the full-length movie to come out one day... Hey, a girl is allowed to entertain a secret dream--right?
Incidentally, I came across a great article, published on the pages of the New York Times, on this very issue. The article, written with delightful humor by Tim Kreider, starts with these words:
"The first time I'd ever heard that there were video previews for books was when I was told I had to made one. A few months before my own book was to be released, my publisher advised me that official book trailers were now routinely posted on YouTube as a promotional device. I was skeptical, but remembering how instrumental video was in advancing the career of Men Without Hats, I acquiesced..."
You can read the rest of it here: Like the Video? I Wrote the Book
I have wondered about the value of these as well. I created one for Pulse and Prejudice but not for All My Tomorrows. I wonder if they generate any interest for readers.
ReplyDeleteI hope they do for you, Colette, and wish there was some way to measure the effectiveness of trailers.
DeleteI've seen some good trailers out there, and I do have two of them out myself. And while I'm not sure that they generate a lot in sales, I enjoy seeing my books 'come alive' in video. I think they are just a fun marketing tool, that might reach someone who normally wouldn't pick up my book to read, but now might be encouraged to check it out.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great attitude, Elizabeth--just to have fun with it!
DeleteI think it's like most marketing tools: by itself, it has little impact, but when coupled with other marketing promotions, it adds that extra visual/audio element, especially if the music that accompanies it connects with the viewer. I think it would be hard to track whether the trailer itself made a difference or it was the combination of marketing elements.
ReplyDeleteThank you Dannye. For authors with limited resources, I think it is unclear that trailers bring the results we wish for. Hope there was some way to measure it.
DeleteI'd much rather read an excerpt too--takes less time and tells me more about whether I'd like the book.
ReplyDeleteAs much as trailers are fun to watch, I'm with you on that, Sheila.
DeleteHere's one I hired someone to make for me. What do you think? Over 900 views, so far!
ReplyDelete~Liz Adams
Bestselling Author of an erotic
Alice in Wonderland
Http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6r5BU5trcM
Hi Liz, it is well done, but the question is this: out of these 900 views, how many have bought the book, and what is your return on investment?
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ReplyDeleteThe mistake most authors make with their trailers--beyond simply having bad ones--is believing that they are supposed to sell their book. That's not what trailers are for. As with movie trailers, the objective of a good book trailer is to raise awareness of a title and arouse expectations in a potentially new audience. A trailer should engage viewers (not necessarily readers), pique their interest by capturing the essence of the story, or emotional core, and motivate them to discover more, usually by driving them to the author's website. It is there, not with the trailer, that the author is responsible for closing the deal with book buyers.
ReplyDeleteCouple of outstanding examples of emotionally impactful book trailers:
Webs of Fate
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRJC2iuBD2c
A Writer's Book of Days
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mfi47O6rohc
Thank you so much for your insight, and for sharing these two trailers! I'm going to check them out now.
DeleteI made trailers for my first two books and for a freebie and then quit because I don't really do anything with them. I may get around to making some for the last two books, but if I do it will be because they are fun to do, not because I really expect anything out of them.
ReplyDeleteThough, I think like everything that it *can* work - there are probably readers out there who have bought a book - or looked a book or website up - because of a trailer, but I think it is potentially a small percentage, and so it become a matter of ratio; if you have 200 readers and 1% are there because of your book trailer, that's 2 readers. If you have 20,000... My first book trailer did sell one book (and landed one review!) through, of all places, flickr. (I had a screen cap of the "suggested videos" on my book trailer page because they were Mr. Bean cartoons and I thought that was a little weird, and a flickr acquaintance then went to you tube and looked it up etc.) But that's the only one I know of.
I used to judge over on The New Covey awards and there were some really good ones there, though it's been defunct so long I can't recall what books they went to. I vaguely remember Nick Cave's, but only because I also own a CD by him.
as for my trailers, what the heck, though they're nothing that's going to wow the world ;)
Shades of Gray - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKrmHjBaS4U
101 Tips for Traveling With a Vampire - I tried flash animation (it's supposed to be badly drawn I say if you can't do something really well and wow them, then go for comedic value and do it really, really bad.) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYg1WY7MtvU
Legacy of Ghosts - boring music/pictures and words because I couldn't think of anything clever and I'd figured out they weren't really doing anything past that one sale, anyway - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aItzkbvHtqE
Wow Joleene, your comments are so well thought out... I agree that every little bit helps, this is something I tell myself every day, especially on difficult days... And the important thing is to have fun with your creations, no matter if this is a trailer, a piece of art or writing.
ReplyDeleteLoved your the sound track of your trailer for Shades of Gray--very urgent and calls for attention! You are clearly very talented, thanks for posting your trailer links!
Thank god someone has said so! There are SOME really awesome ones, but people need a good kick in the behind to get some help making some new ones made!! I've done video editing myself, and hell as an author i think my author video i made in 20 minutes flat still sucks but at least i made interesting attempts to get good music!!
ReplyDeletelol... Thank you Inoku, I like it when you do your best effort and keep things in perspective!
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