Video Tips…Part One
Yes, you’re correct. I’m marginally qualified to give tips about anything. Still, I’ve come up with a couple about making book trailers you might find useful.
The first thing you should do is write a script. Don’t worry about pictures, software, YouTube, or any of that at the outset. It starts with a script. Why a script? I believe trailers with a voice-over are more effective than those without. However, if you disagree, and prefer a video without voice, you’ll still need some written document to guide and organize your slides. The following discussion assumes a voice over.
Key Factors
- Length: I don’t know what the magic number is, but, the shorter the better. If it’s too long, it’ll never get played. Never. So, attention to length is the most important factor. Off the top, I’d keep it under two minutes. If you can say it in a minute and half, even better. To do that, you’ll need to spend some time really considering what to say and how to say it. Think of it as a query, tight. Nothing extraneous to your goal. Tight, tight, tight.
- Pacing: Pacing is a close cousin to length. Up-tempo is key. Within reason, the faster the better. It can’t be so fast you’ll lose the viewer, but it can not drag. If it drags, you’ll lose the audience, guaranteed. Remember the video we looked at the other day??? It’s a perfect example of great pacing.
- Hook: Just like any writing, you need to hook the viewer. You good folks know about hooks; no need to belabor.
- Humor: Since you’re writing to convince a (presumed) skeptical viewer, you gotta be clever, otherwise, it sounds like a sales pitch–which, of course, it is, but it can’t LOOK or FEEL like a sales pitch. To circumvent that, make the reader laugh, or at least smile. Again, the above link is a great example of humor.
- A “Make Sense” Closing: What’s the goal of your video trailer? If you want the viewer to read a synopsis, close with that. If you want the viewer to buy the book, close with that. Whatever the goal you established in writing the script, close with it in a way that motivates the viewer to DO something, otherwise, why do this at all?
- Narration: Okay, you’ve done all of the above, created the video, (more on that in future posts) and you’re ready to narrate it. Couple of points.
- First, if you know some one who has a great speaking voice, recruit them to narrate it for you. No such person? Okay, you can do it. BUT, for the love of Pete, practice. If you’re using humor—or even if you’re not–timing, delivery, intonation, and expression count.
- Additionally, consider how you sound. Please. Adjust the mic volume and your distance from it so we don’t hear you breathing, tsking, clearing your throat, or making other verbal noises. Get someone to listen to it and tell you if it works. The video I mentioned as so good and exemplary in the above link???…maybe the narration could be improved just a touch in a spot or two.
Okay, enough for now. In a follow-up, I’ll find and recommend some software you’ll need to make this video. I’ll also share my video making errors and stumbles—trust me, there’ll be plenty of those–to save you the same fate. That’s in the future. For now…
Thank you for stopping by. By the way, if you have tips to add, please leave them in a comment. We’d all like to bet better at this. Share if you can.
I hope to see you again on Friday when we’ll chat about your favorite and mine, video software to get you started. As a bonus, we’ll focus on free software. Yeah, I am a software junkie, but this is something you’ll actually need. Best wishes, Galen.
Themocracy
For the love of Pete, Galen! How do you know all this stuff?
I’ve held off on book trailers, although I do keep seeing some great ones. I just don’t know anything about them–except what I’ve learned in your primer, which has some great tips!
Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen
Great tips, Galen. When (if) I ever do a book trailer, I’m coming here first! You work cheap, right?
Good tips! I’ll tuck these away for the day when I have a sold book to promote. I personally find that book trailers featuring Barbies are oddly creepy. So my only tip: leave the dolls out.
Actually, Elizabeth, I don’t know anything. The trick is to look like it–you know, sound authoritative with technical jargon like, “For the love of, Pete!”
Yes, Alan, seriously–hard for us, I know–I’m happy to help anyone who wants it. Just gotta ask. I’m still learning, but I hope to reach a point where I’m smart enough to be helpful.
Yeah, Stacy, dolls would kinda remind me of that Chuckie the killer doll thing. Hey, maybe that would work in the right genre.
I’m looking forward to this:) I loved her trailor and that was the first one I’ve seen with a voice not just music. I think that might be the way to go so can’t wait to see your results:)
Very good advice. I’m looking forward to more. One thing I might add is if you don’t know someone who can do the voice over and you know you won’t be great at it, look to a local college. Find a student or graduate student who is majoring in acting or oral interpretation and ask them to do it. They may do it for free and can use your video in their portfolio. My M.A. was Speech Communication with a specialization in Oral Interpretation. Trust me, those students know how to get across the feeling or meaning of your words.
Helen
Straight From Hel
Well, Terri, if you continue to drop in, we’re gonna give you a bunch of can’t miss tips that will knock your hat in the creek. How’s that for big talk! :>)
Helen, this is a wonderful tip. The bottom line is, an author could get professional services for nothing–or next to it….doesn’t get better than that! Thanks!
A book trailer, never thought of that. When I need one, I’m coming back here. Thanks.
I don’t know if I’ll ever need a book trailer, but I’m enjoying reading these posts.
You must’ve done quite a few!
I’m gonna hold you to that, Carolyn.
Great Carol, and did you see the Support Pets Gizmo? Got that from your blog. Thanks.
Alex, I never made one. I’m learning about them and trying to save you all my sure to be many errors. Like I told Elizabeth, I just try to look like I know what I’m doing. HA!
Great advice! The Husband is a professional and he makes videos promoting various corporations all the time. When the time comes I’m gonna take advantage of the situation.
Very good tips. I’ve made a few trailers in the past and will be making a couple more for new releases this year, so – can ALWAYS use good advice for improvements.
the Old Silly
Oh, how nice, Elizabeth, to have a video professional to call on. I just have good old trial and error.
I’ll bet you have made some videos, Marvin. Please share tips with us as we go along.
Great post Galen! I’ve heard so many authors talk about, what I consider to be, the very mysterious ways of making a book trailer. Your post goes a long way from taking it out of that hieroglyphic state and into the realm of language I understand (at least better than hieroglyphics). Thanks! Looking forward to Friday’s post!