Authors Anonymous discussion

I've hashed this topic out before on a Linkedin forum and I've come to my own conclusion based on research but I'm curious as to what anyone in this group might think about the pros and cons of book trailers and whether or not they help out the bottom line--sales.

I thought about making one but I don't watch them as a reader so I figure my readers wouldn't either. A good one is expensive and one made from stock footage is sometimes redundant. Just MHO :)

Redundant? Maybe. But I like this one I put together from my second novel, Xe-Nophobia, from stock footage: http://youtu.be/JihzjuOCp6I

It's just fun to play with images instead of words for a change. Don't think it helped sales one iota though. lol. pps. It's only got 5 views because I took it down for awhile. There were a lot more at one time but it certainly never went viral.

I don't watch them either, and sometimes they can be a bit cheesy, and disappointing with the actors they use. I have a picture in my mind of the character, and the few times I've seen the trailers, the actors portraying the characters are nothing like I imagine. So for me, no, the trailer doesn't help. I don't even bother with them anymore. I rather stick to my imagination :o)

Martha wrote: "I don't watch them either, and sometimes they can be a bit cheesy, and disappointing with the actors they use. I have a picture in my mind of the character, and the few times I've seen the trailers..."

Well said, Martha. IMO, book trailers is a mixed metaphor.

Conrad wrote: "Martha wrote: "I don't watch them either, and sometimes they can be a bit cheesy, and disappointing with the actors they use. I have a picture in my mind of the character, and the few times I've se..."

I'm glad I'm not the only one that thinks that way.

I had in mind a great one for my historical novel Barbados Bound. It wouldn't show the character's face, just the body of a person dressed in 18th century men's clothing, climbing the ratlines and out on the footrope, with footage of a square sail being released and the nautical sounds of cracking canvas, the rub of hempen line, etc. I haven't managed to make this trailer yet, but I did make a little 30 second one on YouTube (if you're interested you can search Barbados Bound and Linda Collison) Honestly, who can tell if they are effective? There's really no way to know. Make one only if it satisfies your creative urge, that's my jaded opinion.

Linda wrote: "I had in mind a great one for my historical novel Barbados Bound. It wouldn't show the character's face, just the body of a person dressed in 18th century men's clothing, climbing the ratlines and..."

Aye, matey. All that salty talk about tall ships makes me a cravin' for some lobster meat. There is a way to know, oh great jaded one. Do a search looking for Amazon's most popular book trailer and then check out the actually sales of the book itself. Now thar's some buried treasure to go a huntin' for!

I don't and won't look at them, so I have to assume that readers like me will not either. However, there is another consideration: are you a skilled film director? If not, will your trailer be seen as defective? If so, you could do more harm than good to anyone who does bother to watch.

Conrad - that is a really interesting project. I only know one guy who hit it big quickly. He had a trailer but I think it was the advertising bucks and 2-for-1 promo that put him over the top.

Okay. I'll quit being coy. I researched this thoroughly before. The most popular book trailer on Amazon had several hundred thousand views but the book was like number 7 million in the rankings. The trailer was great but the book stunk. Bottom line for me: Write a good book and spend time/money marketing instead of doing a trailer unless you find it mindless fun and you have the skills.

One other tidbit trivia: James Patterson used advance contract money to buy a TV ad to promote his book. Can't remember which one. Everyone thought he was foolish. Look who's laughing now.

This is an interesting discussion. I think I'll hold off on a trailer until I can afford to buy some TV time!

I think James Patterson sells books not because of his ad, but because he is an excellent writer.

L.S. wrote: "I think James Patterson sells books not because of his ad, but because he is an excellent writer."

Maybe his earlier books were good, but I bought one a couple of years ago at Wal-Mart and I'm keeping it for kindling just in case.