Book trailers can serve as a great marketing tool for generating buzz and interest. While you do have the option of spending thousands of dollars to have a book trailer done professionally, it is much cheaper to invest some time and make one yourself. By creating a book trailer, you can provide a visual element of enticement that will make your marketing efforts stand out in the crowd.
A book trailer is similar to a movie trailer in that it employs video advertisement to promote and encourage viewers. When marketing a book, book trailers can serve as a great marketing tool for generating buzz and interest. While you do have the option of spending thousands of dollars to have a book trailer done professionally, it is much cheaper to invest some time and make one yourself. Ultimately, your main goal is to spark an interest amongst your target audience and compel them to buy and read your book.
First, do your research. Stalk YouTube and watch as many book trailers as you can. This will give you an idea of the various techniques being used for creating one. You’ll also need to search for video-making software. While there are many software tools on the market, PowerPoint and Movavi Screen Capture are two worth considering. Whichever you choose, just make sure the application is user-friendly!
Second, put forth time and effort into writing a good script. Prioritizing key points that need to be included in your book trailer will give you a starting point for developing your script. Jot down all key plots that you feel need to be communicated to your audience in order to spark their interest. Don’t just repeat the jacket’s content or try and include every detail from your book. Your final draft should be a condensed, clear, and thoughtfully aligned with the overall feel of your book.
Third, collect images. When creating a book trailer you should use visually appealing images that grab a reader’s attention at first glance. Take time to surf the web and find images that match up with your storyline. Royalty-free stock images are the most convenient images to use, as the creators of these images have already given you permission to use them. Photobucket, Shutterstock, and Free Digital Photos are three of the best sites to use in your quest for the perfect images.
Fourth, decide on your audio. Choosing good background music is essential when creating book trailers. Seek out music that complements the mood of your book as well as the images you have chosen. Warning - Make sure you are permitted to use the music you’ve chosen and that you’re not violating any copyright laws by using it.
Fifth, create your trailer. On the majority of video-sharing sites, the video size is limited to 100 MB; therefore your book trailer should be no longer than 90 seconds. The first thing you’ll need to do is import your photos into your video-making software of choice, and then drag and drop your pictures into the story timelines. Once you’ve added all of your images, you will then want to decide which transitions and video effects would work best for the tone of your trailer. Finally you’ll add music and/or sound effects. Make sure to end your book trailer with an image of your book cover and the book’s website (if you have one).
Once you’re done with your book trailer, it’s time to upload it to YouTube or any other video sharing site for everyone to see. You should also embed the video on your blog or share the video link through social networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest and Goodreads. When posting to various sites, always remember to include a description of your book along with a link to where it can be purchased.
There are millions of books being marketed and sold online on a daily basis. By creating a book trailer, you can provide a visual element of enticement that will make your marketing efforts stand out in the crowd.
Creative Writing: Finding Your Inspiration
Every writer needs to find inspiration in order to produce inspired writing - whether it is in the form of a novel, short story, poetry, song or even a simple blog post or journal entry. You don’t have to live an extraordinary life to find sources of inspiration for creative writing. They are all around you. Below are some of the most common sources of inspiration that can be used to produce a masterpiece.
Co-Author: Writing a Book in Collaboration
These days, authors often collaborate with each other to produce the best work possible. By collaborating with another author of the same mind, the two of you may be able to produce a successful masterpiece that is esteemed by millions. The goal of producing a top-selling book may feel more reachable if you have the support of a co-author. Consider the following tips and you’re well on your way to the bestselling list!
A Discussion of the Self-Publishing Model
With the rise of self-publishing, a new niche of independent or indie authors has emerged. There are pros and cons to everything, and self-publishing is not exempt from this unwritten concept. Without the assistance of service companies, one might wonder if self-publishing has a broad scope. It’s up to you to decide whether the pros outweigh the cons. Once you decide which path to take, go for it and give it all you’ve got!
