Book Trailers: Friend or Foe?

The book trailer rage has taken over. Everywhere they're popping up. Some very sophisticated, and some, unfortunately not so.

About a month ago, a friend posted a link to his book trailer, so I decided it was time to learn how to make one myself. I had a graphics program, plus I had Movie Maker (everyone who has Windows has it in their programs), so I thought I'd give it a whirl. While it took three days to put together, I was satisfied at the results. If you'd like to see it, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOklaNgirZI at YouTube. While you're there, drop me a comment. ;o)

I did a little promoting for it and now it's #1 in YouTube under "ghost book" which were the key search words I chose to promote it. It was #1 in Google Video this morning, but now has dropped to #2. This is where your online book promotion comes in.

While they're a blast to make and fun to show off to your friends, just how do they affect sales?

Right now, it's too early to say from my standpoint as my book won't be out until later this month, but I figure it can't hurt for pre-release buzz, right?

Yes, if they are done right.

The way I see it is that any promotion is good promotion, but there are conflicting opinions on this if the book trailers look amateurish.

I'm wondering, though, would a badly-made book trailer make a difference in sales either way?

Probably not, but the thing is, the Internet is open to discussion and your book trailor may be the target. If it is poorly made, people will talk. If it's done up right and looks professional, people will talk. Either way, you don't want negative opinions plastered all over the Internet about your book.

According to Cheryl Hagedorn, author of PARK RIDGE A Senior Center Murder, she believes some of the book trailers look downright pathetic. At her blog, she tells us that there is an interesting conversation going on over at HelenKay Dimon’s blog about the subject of poorly made trailers.

So, of course, I being the inquisitite one, went over there to find out what this was all about. It seems there is an author that is being targeted. I really felt sorry for the guy because he's the brunt of various opinions on his book trailer, and some of them not so good.

I have dial-up so it took a long time to load, but I face the same thing with all book trailers. You can take a peek at his book trailer here, if you'd like. As soon as it loads, I'll let you know what I think.

The bottom line is this. When you're putting together your book trailers, please, make them as professional as you can. When you put your book out there, you take all precautions to make sure they're the best they can be so that the reviews will be positive, don't you? Book trailers are no different.

However, on the upside, this author has a book trailer that's the talk of the town, so maybe it's not bad promotion after all?

What's your opinion?


Tags: book trailers,YouTube, online book promotion, Movie Maker