Dare to be Different to Make Your Book Trailer Shine Above the Rest

A few days ago, Diana Holquist left a comment in one of my blog posts, wondering about the worth of book trailers and how much their worth would sell books.


So, she says, she decided to make one to find out.

Of course, I'm a big fan of book trailers and since she's one of my daily readers and knows how much I love them, she knew I would be enticed to go look at the very mention of a new book trailer. Smart girl, Diana!

So, I did.

I could not stop laughing. Now THIS is what I'm talking about. Go to YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z32GAedt2lw to watch it, if you'd like, but come back because I have a surprise interview you wouldn't want to miss.

We were talking about websites being different and how they are drawing spectators (hence, possible future book buyers)...why not do the same with book trailers? Being different makes a big difference nowadays, doesn't it?

And, I'm thinking, this is all part of the NEW AGE OF PROMOTION.

We've got to learn how to stand out from the pack.

After watching Diana's book trailer, I had to email her and ask her if she would agree to an interview because I had some really interesting questions for her. She agreed, so for your enjoyment, here is the interview:

Dorothy: Diana, this has got to be the coolest trailer I've ever seen. I love your sense of humor! How did you come up with this idea?

Diana: I'm so glad you like it. The idea came from on one of my 4,312 yahoo groups. A famous author was chiding us to always be professional. I thought, hell no. I'm a writer. If I wanted to be professional, I would've been a banker. So I figured, why not be so unprofessional that it's funny? I wanted people to see what this writer was really like, messy hair, cheesecake for breakfast, little white lies, and all. That's what I think readers are interested in. That's what I'm interested in. I'm not interested in people being "professional." Professionals bore me. I also did a "slick" trailer that has jazzy music and quick cuts and the actual content of the book. But even though it's sexy, it's the same as everyone else's. I like different. In my books, and my trailers.

Dorothy: Did this really happen? I mean, did you actually tell your husband you'd put him on the cover?

Diana: As soon as my editor told me they wanted to call the book Sexiest Man Alive, I said, "Fine. But you'll have to put my husband on the cover or he'll be upset." It was our running joke: "Hi Michele (my editor), should my husband come to New York for his cover shoot this week?" Now when I show friends the cover, I say, "of course, that's Peter on the cover," and they do a double take, afraid to say, "um, I don't think so, honey." I love this cover, but it's full of jokes. In fact, the next trailer I'm doing if my publisher doesn't stop me is "The Top Ten Reasons the Sexiest Man Alive Has No Head." Dorothy: What did he think of the trailer after you showed it to him?

Diana: He's got a great sense of humor. Better than my ten year old who said, "Mom, never, ever show me that again."

Dorothy: What does your husband think of having an author in the family?

Diana: My husband is a much bigger author. You must have missed "Making War, Forging Revolution; Russia's Continuum of Crisis, 1914-1921"? Harlequin Blaze wanted it, but Harvard Press outbid them.

Dorothy: Are you this funny all the time?

Diana: Only when I'm drunk. And I hope, when I write. In person, I don't speak. People are terribly disappointed when they meet me.

Dorothy: What prompted you to make a book trailer for your book?

Diana: You. Really. I'm a serious Dorothy disciple. Also, I've learned early on that it's best if I promote my books without leaving the house because I'm insanely shy. Book trailers were a natural way to connect with readers without actually having to talk to them, blush, stutter, get dizzy, and have to go and lie down. In fact, Sexiest Man Alive is dedicated to "everyone who has ever blushed, stuttered, or had their nose twitch like a rabbit's." My personality is good for on-line promotion. I had to run with it.

Dorothy: What has been other people's reactions when they see it?

Diana: Well, my mom loves it : ) I get a lot of people telling me they can't hear it. Sorry. I didn't have a proper mike and I just taught myself how to use iMovie that morning. I thought about going back and cleaning it up now that I'm better on the software, but I like it the way it is---you have to watch it more than once to get it all. Some people think it's hysterical. Others scratch their heads and turn away. Story of my life. I'd rather thrill some people and repulse others than have everyone think I'm just "okay."

Dorothy: Thank you for coming, Diana, and happy promoting to you!

Diana: Thanks for having me, Dorothy. I can't tell you how much I love your blog. It's taught me everything I know about web promoting. I read it religiously. You're my hero. I feel really honored to be here.

Now, that's a woman you gotta love.

Tags: How to Pump UP Your Blog to Sell More Books, online book promotion, author publicity, book promotion, book promotion tips, book trailer, Diana Holquist, Sexiest Man Alive