Thursday, September 15

Trailer lessons

Posted by Laurel Garver on Thursday, September 15, 2011 7 comments
I've been trying to learn all I can about book trailers and came across this nifty site, which collects a bunch of MG and YA trailers, called Book Trailers for All. Created for librarians and teachers, it has plenty of samples to watch and learn from--things you might want to emulate or avoid. I think the coolest one, which has custom animation, is below, for Tell Me a Secret by Holly Culpa:



When I consider how I'd invest in marketing a book, I think shelling out for a really superb trailer looks like it ought to give a lot of bang for one's buck. Videos can be released widely, even go viral, without any additional cost beyond the initial outlay for art and music. Printed matter has a role to play in marketing, too, I suppose, though with book signings becoming less common, paper swag might not be the best place to put most of your promo dollars.

What are some things you like to see in book trailers? Dislike?
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7 comments:

  1. Laura PaulingSeptember 15, 2011 at 7:17 AM

    That is a terrific trailer. I just read the book yesterday and absolutely loved it! A very powerful story.

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  2. Jessica BellSeptember 15, 2011 at 7:21 AM

    Original music ;o) LOL

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  3. Laurel GarverSeptember 15, 2011 at 9:02 AM

    Laura: What I found interesting is how "bubblegum" the publisher's cover looked, and how much more gripping and edgy the author's vision seemed to be as presented in the trailer. I would've had no temptation to pick up the book based on the book cover, but lots based on the trailer.

    Jessica: Indeed! One of my CPs is married to a musician whose work I'd love to use if it doesn't break the bank.

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  4. AngelaSeptember 15, 2011 at 11:39 AM

    I am terrified of what it would take to make a trailer. Maybe that means I should look into it.

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  5. Laurel GarverSeptember 16, 2011 at 11:09 AM

    Angela: It does look like quite the learning curve. I'll try to post what I learn as I learn it.

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  6. CandiceSeptember 19, 2011 at 2:27 PM

    I've definitely been hooked by a good book trailer before. Sometimes the book doesn't always live up to the trailer, but still... I bought the book. I think a good trailer is worth the effort and investment.

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  7. Laurel GarverSeptember 20, 2011 at 1:42 PM

    Candice: I think the first one that really grabbed me was the Quirk Books trailer for one of its Austen parodies: Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters. It had just one scene from the book acted out--very, very effective.

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City dweller, word nerd, Indie film enthusiast and incurable Anglophile. Professor's wife and mom to a young adult daughter. Follower of the Good Shepherd, who is faithful when we are faithless. My poetry and fiction explore the places where heart and soul are tested and growing up truly begins.

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