- The first signs of spring
I like to keep up with the times and I’m all for new things and positive changes as such, when I heard of book trailers I couldn’t wait to do one myself.
I have the ability to learn anything and surely I can do it myself. However, there is the question of the learning curve, time consumption and doing something professionally.
So, even though I could have done a book trailer myself, I still opted to outsource the task.
I found a credible professional who was willing to do my books trailer for $5.
The secret to the perfect partnership is due diligence and the feel for the right person or professional. My experiences with choosing an illustrator paid off. I got better and wiser at choosing people to help me with my projects.
Links to my previous blog postings on experiences with illustrators:
https://gawrimanecuta.com/illustrators-paint-a-horror-part-i/
https://gawrimanecuta.com/illuminate-my-words-illustrators-paint-a-horror-part-2/
I listen to professionals when they speak and I learn from them at the same time.
It also frees up my precious time to write, publish and consult.
What to include in a book trailer?
1. Book cover
2. A description of the book – plot, character, setting.
3. A tagline – if you have one.
4. Author’s name
5. Publisher’s name
6. Book’s website or your website. Url or links.
7. Book’s synopsis in a few short sentences. Use short phrases and sentences. Choose your words carefully. Include a beginning, middle and ending and perhaps a question? Sum it all up within one minute. I like to keep it short and simple.
8. Pictures from the book
9. Where is your book available for purchase?
10. Public domain images or snap some pictures of your own.
If the trailers are made in Windows Movie Maker make sure the images are large enough to fit a 5×3-inch area (approximately 1621×967 pixels). This is so that the program does not stretch the image and create a blurry pixelated mess from small images.
11. Royalty free music. If acquiring royalty free music is difficult than by all means get the musician in the family to compose an original piece.
Don’t forget to copyright the music.
Here are two places to get royalty free music:
incompetech.com (I used music from Incompetech)
http://www.royaltyfreemusic.com/free.html
12. All media such as music and images must be available for commercial use.
Previously copyrighted material must have written permission from the artist or owner. This is very important.
13. Length of the video (keep it short)
I outsourced my book trailer to a great professional who made an awesome trailer for me. She is a pleasure to work with. Science fiction and fantasy trailers are her specialty.
She can create some pretty awesome trailers with available resources. Each video takes about a week or so to create and process, so the wait time is worth it.
I always like to retain creative control of my work so my choice was a match made in heaven.
The key to a great book trailer is keeping it catchy, short and simple.
11 to13 frames that run from 1 minute to 1 and a 1/2-minute should do the trick.
The trailer should be fast, catchy, to the point and captivating. It should leave your readers lingering for more.
This is the link to Bunica’s Tomatoes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbvULUPHbqk
It’s 54 seconds long. The length is just perfect for the kids to watch during my school presentations.
Keep it to a minute or under a minute. Kids and especially busy adults have a very short attention span. You’ve been repeatedly told to keep your book’s synopsis within 15 to 30 words so why prolong a book trailer.
Sweet… upload the trailer to YouTube and tweet the message.
Learn to keep it inexpensive, current and professional. Free up your time to write by outsourcing.
Keep writing and ask me how I can help you with your book trailer.
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