Book Marketing Videos
As the publication date for Hearts nears, my pre-publication activities ramp-up. One of my self-taskings is create a video book trailer. I imagine many of you have such a video. I’d love to hear your thoughts about what worked and what didn’t—especially what software you used. 
I’ve seen a lot of what didn’t work. Sadly, there are more poorly done—or maybe boring is a better way to put it–trailers then good ones. Given that, I was approaching this tasking with trepidation. Until…
My publisher sent me to Brenda Coulter’s Blog for a basic How To on Video creation. Brenda’s “About Me” blurb says…
I write "inspirational" romance novels, which are love stories celebrating traditional Christian values. Visit BrendaCoulter.com to learn more about my books, pick up some romance-writing tips, and explore several fun pages on the subject of afternoon tea.
Brenda’s instructional post is very good. I recommend a trip over to see her clear, simplified, easy to follow advice. Once there, you’ll find a link to the below video, which is different from the one she describes making, but is so good, and so clever, I just had to share it. It’s the reason I’m now looking forward to making the video. To me, it’s the standard to…shoot for…so to speak.
Yes, I know video watching slows your blog hopping, but if you’re thinking about a video, you won’t want to miss either Brenda’s post, or this great example of how clever and interesting a video can be. It’s sort of Andy Rooneyesque. I’ve already confessed to Brenda I’m gonna steal use some of the techniques she put in this video.
Note: Brenda has granted blanket permission to post her video. Thanks Brenda.
Pretty good, huh? I gotta tell ya. I normally get through about 30 seconds of most author book videos–tops. I watched this one all the way to the end. I think it works because,
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the pacing is up tempo,
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the synchronicity of the text and the photos,
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the clever nature of the superimposed text, and
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her prepared script is engaging.
It grabbed my attention and kept my attention. Hope you liked it too.
Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see you again on Friday. Galen.
Themocracy
I am so excited for you. Writing is so much work isn’t it, but very rewarding.
I for one can’t wait for your book.
That IS good. DARN good.
The Old Silly
You’re right – I watched the whole video, and laughed a lot. Making a book trailer has been on my to do list for over a year. In fact, I played around with it again recently and got no where again. I plan to stop by her blog and see if I can pick up some more tips. I’m anxious to see how yours turns out.
This IS good. Usually I’m just sort of “eh” about book trailers. Andy Rooney came to mind for me, too. Thanks for sharing the link, Galen.
Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen
That is so cool that your book is coming out. I am anxious to read it. Does this mean you’re going to be traveling around, doing book signings and such? If you’re headed to my area (Denver), you better let me know. I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Good luck with your video and I hope you share it with us once it’s ready.
Very exciting time, Galen! I hope you come up with a great book trailer.
Really Angelic
It was excellent! She made me want to buy the book now! I loved her sense of humor and the fast pace of it! Thank you– I have seen some really boring ones too. Now I expect yours to be of the same calibur…when will it be ready? No pressure–just an anxious reader.
Think my publisher will be putting together the video for my first book, which is probably a good thing!
Since it got all those positive comments, I gave it a shot. I’m NOT a book trailer person. Can’t quite grasp how pictures will give me a taste of an author’s writing. But at least (after the first 45 seconds or so), this became an entertaining look at the ‘big picture’ and I liked that it was narrated rather than leaving script on the screen, making the reader have to wait for the next slide.
Honest reaction: I stopped at 1:23 and would probably then go find the author’s website to look for an excerpt. Which is much better than what I usually do, which is never look at a trailer at all, and would NEVER look at a clip that said 3 minutes.
I’m old, I’m impatient, and I’m not the ‘right’ target audience for trailers. But if my publisher ever wanted me to do one, this is the way I’d go.