Romance Writers & Readers discussion

Hiya superstars!

So I wanted to ask some questions about book trailers . . .

1. How many of you have one?

2. Do you find it actually helps bring attention to your book?

3. Are there certain things you really like or don't like in a book trailer?

4. How did you find someone to do your trailer?

5. Did anyone make their own and how did you go about that?

Many thanks in advance for your super helpful answers!! (ɔ◔︣‿◔︣)ɔ ❤

Me! I've got some:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ISUR...
Huh; ONE, I have ONE!!! I had two!!!! :O Gargh, I'll have to reload the other one later :(

Anyway,
No, I get very few hits on YouTube and it's done nothing for bringing attention to my booky wook.

I really like it; it says a bit more than just a standard blurb can, and gives a feel/sets the tone for the book.

It was quite easy; I put a slideshow together in Powerpoint (with fade ins) and then uploaded it into the YouTube video editor and selected free music from their library.

I actually have a friend who creates music and this type of thing so he then zhushed my transitions for me.

PM me and I'll find his details if you want. xx

TL Clark (author of love) wrote: "Me! I've got some:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ISUR...
Huh; ONE, I have ONE!!! I had two!!!! :O Gargh, I'll have to reload the other one later :(

Anyway,
No, I get very few hits on YouTu..."

Thanks for sharing TL!

I kinda thought that they wouldn't really help with gaining readers, but I've seen some that are really cool, so I'm interested in finding out people's experience with them!

They are cool and kinda fun.
I think it's another thing you need to steer traffic to, & then maybe it'd help?

I have a book trailer! For one book only, Trust In Love.

I made it myself using windows movie maker and one of my husband's songs. He likes to write music on the side. He said he would write more songs for my other books, but I'm still waiting.*chuckles* He also helped me edit the trailer so it looked good. *smiles*

I don't think it's helped me at all, but it was fun to make. I like doing things like that. *reminder: add to website* I haven't done that yet. haha. I always forget I have one, so I don't tweet or anything. But I love how mine looks.

I like trailers that are sweet and short, but not too fast where I can't read everything before it goes to the next frame. (And I'm a fast reader, so if I can't read it, then it's moving way too fast.)

I used pictures from Pixabay, from ones that said it was free to use for whatever I desired to do with them.

Aww lovely, Amanda.

Ooh; forgot to say I got my inages from Dreamstime. Ya need to make sure they're royalty free (as you do with any promo images).

Thanks, TL. Yours was great as well!

It is so much fun creating book trailers.

Halloween is fast approaching and I have another book, although not romance, that would be awesome to make one for. Hmmm....I better start bugging my husband for a creepy, spooky song....

Naugh! Don't mention halloween :-(
I was hoping to have finished my vampire book by now but not even halfway through (*sniffle*)

But I have a plan to buy more time. Cross fingers!

Ehhh, I've never made a trailer. Gonna do that sometime just for the heck of it haha!!

And gonna watch all these ones real soon too!! ^_~

Thanks for sharing your trailers TL and Queen Amanda! They totally made me excited about making one for one of my books, even if it doesn't really bring about any new readers it just looks like so much fun! Now I just have to find the time to do it . . .

Aww, flogger nuts! You totes beat me to the punch, Princess Jane!!

What she said.

Annie wrote: "Aww, flogger nuts! You totes beat me to the punch, Princess Jane!!

What she said."

Hahaha, Mistress Ann! Sorry! Too quick for ya!

I did book trailers! My first one is too long but my second one is a lot better :) I used Windows Live Movie Maker to make mine and I used images on websites that ensured these were free pics the public can use and I also used music I found that was free to the public too.

Just know that if you make one yourself that you can't use any pic you find on Google. I didn't know that until I looked it up but it can get you in a lot of trouble if the owner of the pics you use find out. Same with music.

Thanks, Princess Jane! Glad you enjoyed it. I can't wait for you to make one....it'll be superb, just like everything else you do:)

I LOVED creating my book trailer!! Used MovieMaker to do it - used the graphics from my books and found a few others (I always pay for my graphics through reputable sites)

I was hesitant to put a music track under it, because (a) I couldn't think of anything that would really fit the feel and (b) I HATE IT when music starts on my computer and I'm not ready for it and it blasts my eardrums and I have to run to turn the sound down...

Of course, now I have re-titled and re-covered the books, so the trailer is pretty much moot.

I put it on FB and it did three times as well as any other post I put up. Don't think it resulted in more sales, but it definitely worked for growing awareness of me and my books.

https://www.facebook.com/VeryBreeVeri...

Amanda wrote: "Thanks, Princess Jane! Glad you enjoyed it. I can't wait for you to make one....it'll be superb, just like everything else you do:)"

You're very welcome, it was awesome! Aww . . . I love you bunches! (ɔ◔︣‿◔︣)ɔ ❤

L.C. wrote: "I did book trailers! My first one is too long but my second one is a lot better :) I used Windows Live Movie Maker to make mine and I used images on websites that ensured these were free pics the p..."

LC I'd love to see them if you want to share!

Bree wrote: "I LOVED creating my book trailer!! Used MovieMaker to do it - used the graphics from my books and found a few others (I always pay for my graphics through reputable sites)

I was hesitant to put a ..."

Thanks for sharing, Bree! I totally agree about the being blasted with music thing! It always gives me such a fright when it starts all of a sudden and I'm not ready for it!

I love book trailers!! If done correctly it can set the mood beautifully, and I have on more than one occasion bought a book because of it. Unsure of how many they actually attract though, since I've also seen like you have all mentioned, that they do not really generate a lot of views.

Be sure your book trailers are posted here on Goodreads because Goodreads places them on the same page as the book the trailer is promoting if the trailer is named after the book. You can embed them on your profile page if you have them as a YouTube video. So that's free exposure,

I create trailers and you're welcome to check out my channel for ideas if you want to make your own.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIri...

People like watching trailers but often authors don't have their trailers visible. On your website, your trailer needs to be on the same page as the book you're promoting. When you're tweeting about the book, you can add up to 30 seconds of the trailer as an mp4 via "Add media." This mp4 file will automatically play just like a gif file.

Or you can add a YouTube link in your tweet and use the #booktrailer or #booktrailers hashtags.

Kathy wrote: "Be sure your book trailers are posted here on Goodreads because Goodreads places them on the same page as the book the trailer is promoting if the trailer is named after the book. You can embed the..."

Thanks, Kathy, I'm going to check out your channel when I have time, and unfortunately, ugh, I have no time this week, but I am going to check it out friday!

Oooh, thank you, Miss Kathy!

I'm also super swamped this week but shall check this out on Friday like the lovely Princess!!

Hugs,
Ann

That's fine. Look whenever you get a chance. Also check out that hashtag for #booktrailer. You'll see lots of cool trailers and see how easy it is to add yours. There are people who just scroll through the tweets, looking at the trailers and checking out some of the books.

Kathy wrote: "That's fine. Look whenever you get a chance. Also check out that hashtag for #booktrailer. You'll see lots of cool trailers and see how easy it is to add yours. There are people who just scroll thr..."

More awesomeness, I will add checking out #booktrailer to my quickly growing to do list for Friday!!

Me too, Princess Jane!

*fist bump*

Thanks again, Miss Kathy!! Freakin' awesome info!!!

Hugs of the epic variety,
Ann

Just bumping this thread up. Anyone have anything to add? Questions?

I realize it's been *checks date* uh, the better part of a year since this thread started, but I just made a trailer for my upcoming release and thought I'd share my thoughts.

I agree with everyone that trailers don't really generate a lot of attention, and are more something you do for personal enjoyment, but I think if something gets you pumped about your own book it's worth it just for that, and if has the chance to rake in a little extra attention, even better!

For my own trailer, I used some simple film clips I shot myself, interspersed with quick taglines for the book. For anyone going the DIY route, I'd really recommend a program called Filmora. It's super easy to use, but still has gorgeous effects that bump up the quality of your work a lot.

Trailers may not be the most effective way of growing your readership, but if making them is something you enjoy, I think it's worth it.

Oh and here's mine, for anyone interested: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJQ5h...