Comments on: Why a video will help sell your book http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/08/08/why-a-video-will-help-sell-your-book/ Sat, 13 Mar 2010 10:16:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: John Ray Gutierrez http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/08/08/why-a-video-will-help-sell-your-book/#comment-2271 John Ray Gutierrez Wed, 27 Jan 2010 19:21:20 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/08/08/why-a-video-will-help-sell-your-book/#comment-2271 Hello All, I've been working with Kepler's Books in Menlo Park since the summer of last year. Since that time the book trailers that I've done have gone viral. This means that there is value in a visual representation of authors work. I am swamped with work now and love every second of it. Some of our book trailers are even being featured as must see. http://eater.com/tags/david-chang http://www.usatoday.com/topics/topic/Peter+Meehan The most important factor of a book trailer is to intice interest. How you do it is to remember that this media is a form of entertainment. If you can honestly say you enjoyed it then the book trailer has done its job. If a trailer is just an advertisment then you have a problem. So my advice to authors who are considering a book trailer is to do one. Book trailers are the movie trailers of the web and can help you create a presence on the internet. Sometimes it takes a visual stimulate to draw interest. I've created a website where I post the videos I've done for Kepler's books, but also give advice to authors. http://bigburritomedia.blogspot.com/ Hello All,
I’ve been working with Kepler’s Books in Menlo Park since the summer of last year. Since that time the book trailers that I’ve done have gone viral. This means that there is value in a visual representation of authors work. I am swamped with work now and love every second of it. Some of our book trailers are even being featured as must see.

http://eater.com/tags/david-chang

http://www.usatoday.com/topics/topic/Peter+Meehan

The most important factor of a book trailer is to intice interest. How you do it is to remember that this media is a form of entertainment. If you can honestly say you enjoyed it then the book trailer has done its job. If a trailer is just an advertisment then you have a problem.

So my advice to authors who are considering a book trailer is to do one. Book trailers are the movie trailers of the web and can help you create a presence on the internet. Sometimes it takes a visual stimulate to draw interest.

I’ve created a website where I post the videos I’ve done for Kepler’s books, but also give advice to authors.

http://bigburritomedia.blogspot.com/

]]> By: Robin Burcell http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/08/08/why-a-video-will-help-sell-your-book/#comment-2172 Robin Burcell Wed, 13 Jan 2010 16:21:49 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/08/08/why-a-video-will-help-sell-your-book/#comment-2172 I have been intrigued by the book video market and decided to take the plunge this year for my latest thriller THE BONE CHAMBER. I went with a new company at Novel Shout Media. The owner does freelance film editing in Hollywood. Based on the one trailer he did, I took a chance and this was the end result: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rr7yvLutSH4 Considering this was his second trailer, I think he did a great job. I wouldn't hesitate to use Novel Shout Media again. His company is here: http://www.novelshoutmedia.com/ I have been intrigued by the book video market and decided to take the plunge this year for my latest thriller THE BONE CHAMBER. I went with a new company at Novel Shout Media. The owner does freelance film editing in Hollywood. Based on the one trailer he did, I took a chance and this was the end result: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rr7yvLutSH4

Considering this was his second trailer, I think he did a great job. I wouldn’t hesitate to use Novel Shout Media again. His company is here: http://www.novelshoutmedia.com/

]]> By: Using Guerrilla Marketing On A Self-Published Book | Understanding Marketing http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/08/08/why-a-video-will-help-sell-your-book/#comment-1864 Using Guerrilla Marketing On A Self-Published Book | Understanding Marketing Sat, 12 Dec 2009 13:56:09 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/08/08/why-a-video-will-help-sell-your-book/#comment-1864 [...] networking for me like mad.  From her participation came organized, videotaped book discussions, a presence on YouTube, commercials for the book, invites to the discussions by prominent figures, radio interviews and [...] […] networking for me like mad.  From her participation came organized, videotaped book discussions, a presence on YouTube, commercials for the book, invites to the discussions by prominent figures, radio interviews and […]

]]> By: LM Preston http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/08/08/why-a-video-will-help-sell-your-book/#comment-1614 LM Preston Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:37:33 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/08/08/why-a-video-will-help-sell-your-book/#comment-1614 I am happy to have landed on this blog. My book trailer for my book EXPLORER X - Alpha just came out. Check it out. link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIZQ0YcNbhI I am happy to have landed on this blog. My book trailer for my book EXPLORER X - Alpha just came out.

Check it out.

link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIZQ0YcNbhI

]]> By: Missy Lyons http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/08/08/why-a-video-will-help-sell-your-book/#comment-1609 Missy Lyons Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:58:13 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/08/08/why-a-video-will-help-sell-your-book/#comment-1609 This was a very informative article. Thank you! Book videos do work. I have done two so far for my backlist of books, even being self published and produced they have gained some publicity for me. Many places do post them for free, because they add interest to a site where you primarily have to read about a book. You can check out the simplest one, Cowboys Don't Dance on You Tube. Here is a link to the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW41GzOhL-wA This was a very informative article. Thank you!

Book videos do work. I have done two so far for my backlist of books, even being self published and produced they have gained some publicity for me. Many places do post them for free, because they add interest to a site where you primarily have to read about a book.

You can check out the simplest one, Cowboys Don’t Dance on You Tube.

Here is a link to the trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW41GzOhL-wA

]]> By: Yu-Han Chao http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/08/08/why-a-video-will-help-sell-your-book/#comment-1502 Yu-Han Chao Tue, 06 Oct 2009 20:41:10 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/08/08/why-a-video-will-help-sell-your-book/#comment-1502 Adding some poetry to the mix: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTm_qZYfVsA Adding some poetry to the mix:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTm_qZYfVsA

]]> By: Andy J smith http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/08/08/why-a-video-will-help-sell-your-book/#comment-1495 Andy J smith Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:57:00 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/08/08/why-a-video-will-help-sell-your-book/#comment-1495 here's the trailer I cooked up for my "Bug Parables" picture book series, that I illustrated: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-y1jfnQjxQ It's made using (digital) cut-outs and stills of the illustrations along with animated type in Flash. here’s the trailer I cooked up for my “Bug Parables” picture book series, that I illustrated:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-y1jfnQjxQ

It’s made using (digital) cut-outs and stills of the illustrations along with animated type in Flash.

]]> By: tericoyne http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/08/08/why-a-video-will-help-sell-your-book/#comment-1429 tericoyne Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:57:04 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/08/08/why-a-video-will-help-sell-your-book/#comment-1429 I took a different approach with my trailer -- I incorporated video into my booksite and then extracted it out as a stand alone trailer (with some minor additions) -- this tied the whole look and feel together and was cost effective as we conceived it all at once. For fiction, I think less is better. So I decided I wanted to create a mood and get the viewer engaged. I've had great feedback on it so far. Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=024N29IWisQ Book webstie: www.thelastbridgenovel.com I took a different approach with my trailer — I incorporated video into my booksite and then extracted it out as a stand alone trailer (with some minor additions) — this tied the whole look and feel together and was cost effective as we conceived it all at once. For fiction, I think less is better. So I decided I wanted to create a mood and get the viewer engaged. I’ve had great feedback on it so far. Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=024N29IWisQ Book webstie: http://www.thelastbridgenovel.com

]]> By: Laura Manivong http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/08/08/why-a-video-will-help-sell-your-book/#comment-1427 Laura Manivong Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:40:10 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/08/08/why-a-video-will-help-sell-your-book/#comment-1427 I believe in the short rule. Mine is 30 seconds, just like 99% of the commercials we see on TV. If you just think hook instead of summary, you can pique interest very quickly. Thanks for the post! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_u5g__oAAo I believe in the short rule. Mine is 30 seconds, just like 99% of the commercials we see on TV. If you just think hook instead of summary, you can pique interest very quickly. Thanks for the post!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_u5g__oAAo

]]> By: Jeannine Norris http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/08/08/why-a-video-will-help-sell-your-book/#comment-1426 Jeannine Norris Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:30:25 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/08/08/why-a-video-will-help-sell-your-book/#comment-1426 I made my own book trailer through still shots of the illustrations and inserted my writing. Used Microsoft Movie Maker and posted on YouTube. I'm a newbie, and even I could do it. Kept it under 1 1/2 minutes - felt that was long enough. My book is a children's Christmas book http://wwww.jeanninenorris-childrensauthor.blogspot.com. I made my own book trailer through still shots of the illustrations and inserted my writing. Used Microsoft Movie Maker and posted on YouTube. I’m a newbie, and even I could do it. Kept it under 1 1/2 minutes - felt that was long enough. My book is a children’s Christmas book http://wwww.jeanninenorris-childrensauthor.blogspot.com.

]]> By: Hannah http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/08/08/why-a-video-will-help-sell-your-book/#comment-1421 Hannah Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:36:19 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/08/08/why-a-video-will-help-sell-your-book/#comment-1421 I work for Puffin in the UK, and we've had particular success with a trailer we've made for one of our upcoming titles: The Enemy by Charlie Higson. Charlie has a modicum of fame in the UK so the video quite naturally begins with him delivering a piece to camera, but then . . . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TIjp3wydfY We've had a remarkable reaction from everyone who's seen it, for obvious reasons! The trailer was cut from a short that we made in one day with a comany called DocuMovie who are fantastic, and the make-up artist from Shaun of the Dead, who was very chirpy considering the state she was putting Charlie into. :) I work for Puffin in the UK, and we’ve had particular success with a trailer we’ve made for one of our upcoming titles: The Enemy by Charlie Higson.

Charlie has a modicum of fame in the UK so the video quite naturally begins with him delivering a piece to camera, but then . . . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TIjp3wydfY

We’ve had a remarkable reaction from everyone who’s seen it, for obvious reasons! The trailer was cut from a short that we made in one day with a comany called DocuMovie who are fantastic, and the make-up artist from Shaun of the Dead, who was very chirpy considering the state she was putting Charlie into. :)

]]> By: Dianne de Las Casas http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/08/08/why-a-video-will-help-sell-your-book/#comment-1420 Dianne de Las Casas Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:29:04 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/08/08/why-a-video-will-help-sell-your-book/#comment-1420 I have created a site for children's book authors and illustrators to upload their book trailers. There is no fee and the upload is easy. http://www.kidlitbooktrailers.com I have created a site for children’s book authors and illustrators to upload their book trailers. There is no fee and the upload is easy. http://www.kidlitbooktrailers.com

]]> By: Tosin Coker http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/08/08/why-a-video-will-help-sell-your-book/#comment-1390 Tosin Coker Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:19:42 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/08/08/why-a-video-will-help-sell-your-book/#comment-1390 I created my own book trailer and it has had a wonderful response. While it is far from being professional, it gets the job done and speaks volumes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6u72Nag0Tyk Personally I prefer shorter trailers under 90 seconds, but I know that may not be the same for others. After the success of my trailer I did something similar, this time with myself reading an excerpt from my book that was just over 2 and a half minutes long: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xc6zHTWQOVY Result? People loved it because it is intimate, they felt more of a personal connection as I instantly became more substatial to them. Both the trailer and the excerpt reaches both untapped audiences and existing fans alike by giving them something to relate to. I created my own book trailer and it has had a wonderful response. While it is far from being professional, it gets the job done and speaks volumes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6u72Nag0Tyk

Personally I prefer shorter trailers under 90 seconds, but I know that may not be the same for others. After the success of my trailer I did something similar, this time with myself reading an excerpt from my book that was just over 2 and a half minutes long:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xc6zHTWQOVY

Result? People loved it because it is intimate, they felt more of a personal connection as I instantly became more substatial to them. Both the trailer and the excerpt reaches both untapped audiences and existing fans alike by giving them something to relate to.

]]> By: Louise Breinholt http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/08/08/why-a-video-will-help-sell-your-book/#comment-1378 Louise Breinholt Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:20:19 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/08/08/why-a-video-will-help-sell-your-book/#comment-1378 At Wiley we have done quite a few videos that have been very successful in helping to sell our books e.g. 'Grandad's Birthday Present' for Computers for Seniors for Dummies: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVo4GhngJlA But we're still learning, so I'm pleased to see the release last week under the Sybex imprint, Youtube and Video Marketing, An Hour A Day: ://tiny.cc/JjLj4 At Wiley we have done quite a few videos that have been very successful in helping to sell our books e.g. ‘Grandad’s Birthday Present’ for Computers for Seniors for Dummies: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVo4GhngJlA

But we’re still learning, so I’m pleased to see the release last week under the Sybex imprint, Youtube and Video Marketing, An Hour A Day: ://tiny.cc/JjLj4

]]> By: Frank http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/08/08/why-a-video-will-help-sell-your-book/#comment-1377 Frank Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:33:19 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/08/08/why-a-video-will-help-sell-your-book/#comment-1377 Great, informative post, Alan. "Here’s the bottom line: Smart buyers do research online before making any retail purchase. Book readers are no different." Is that really the bottom line? What about dumb buyers? Great, informative post, Alan.

“Here’s the bottom line: Smart buyers do research online before making any retail purchase. Book readers are no different.”

Is that really the bottom line? What about dumb buyers?

]]> By: Aaron http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/08/08/why-a-video-will-help-sell-your-book/#comment-1370 Aaron Sat, 15 Aug 2009 19:11:57 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/08/08/why-a-video-will-help-sell-your-book/#comment-1370 Great, informative post, Alan. We had fun recently producing a book trailer for N.D. Wilson's NOTES FROM THE TILT-A-WHIRL. We filmed in Morocco, London and San Diego. The result can be seen here: http://vimeo.com/5600197 I'd love to see more examples of well done book trailers if any come to mind. Thanks again. Great, informative post, Alan. We had fun recently producing a book trailer for N.D. Wilson’s NOTES FROM THE TILT-A-WHIRL. We filmed in Morocco, London and San Diego. The result can be seen here: http://vimeo.com/5600197

I’d love to see more examples of well done book trailers if any come to mind. Thanks again.

]]> By: Wendy Nelson Tokunaga http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/08/08/why-a-video-will-help-sell-your-book/#comment-1365 Wendy Nelson Tokunaga Fri, 14 Aug 2009 16:39:18 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/08/08/why-a-video-will-help-sell-your-book/#comment-1365 In answer to a couple of questions. I have seen videos much longer than mine, but everyone will have a different opinion on length, attention span, personal taste, etc. The one for that won the recent Covey Award for Best Author Video was over 3 minutes long. As for copyrighted images, we used only images and videos that are in the public domain, from personal collections, and those that are released for commercial-use under the creative commons license. There are many royalty-free images and video clips available on the Web. In answer to a couple of questions. I have seen videos much longer than mine, but everyone will have a different opinion on length, attention span, personal taste, etc. The one for that won the recent Covey Award for Best Author Video was over 3 minutes long.

As for copyrighted images, we used only images and videos that are in the public domain, from personal collections, and those that are released for commercial-use under the creative commons license. There are many royalty-free images and video clips available on the Web.

]]> By: Elizabeth Chadwick http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/08/08/why-a-video-will-help-sell-your-book/#comment-1352 Elizabeth Chadwick Mon, 10 Aug 2009 21:15:43 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/08/08/why-a-video-will-help-sell-your-book/#comment-1352 Authors can make their own videos using a programme such as Windows Movie Maker which comes as standard on most PC's and all it costs is a little time. It can be very therapeutic too! I made one about a fortnight ago for my latest. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lcPZ1gYImk Authors can make their own videos using a programme such as Windows Movie Maker which comes as standard on most PC’s and all it costs is a little time. It can be very therapeutic too! I made one about a fortnight ago for my latest.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lcPZ1gYImk

]]> By: Sarah Bolme http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/08/08/why-a-video-will-help-sell-your-book/#comment-1351 Sarah Bolme Mon, 10 Aug 2009 17:19:28 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/08/08/why-a-video-will-help-sell-your-book/#comment-1351 A great website for book trailers for Christian books is http://www.christianbookvideos.com. Getting a Christian book video posted on the site is free. A great website for book trailers for Christian books is http://www.christianbookvideos.com. Getting a Christian book video posted on the site is free.

]]> By: Alan Rinzler http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/08/08/why-a-video-will-help-sell-your-book/#comment-1350 Alan Rinzler Mon, 10 Aug 2009 17:04:18 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/08/08/why-a-video-will-help-sell-your-book/#comment-1350 Hi Ellen, Yes, I do believe that video trailers can be just as effective for novels. You can see a good example of this in Patricia Cornwell's excellent trailer for her latest book "Scarpetta" which we posted on March 1, 2009 as part of a piece we did called 'Falling in Love with Your Characters'. Here's a link: http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/03/01/falling-in-love-with-your-characters/ So if you're considering doing one for your novel I recommend it without reservation. There's no difference to be made here between fiction and nonfiction. Alan Hi Ellen,

Yes, I do believe that video trailers can be just as effective for novels. You can see a good example of this in Patricia Cornwell’s excellent trailer for her latest book “Scarpetta” which we posted on March 1, 2009 as part of a piece we did called ‘Falling in Love with Your Characters’. Here’s a link:

http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/03/01/falling-in-love-with-your-characters/

So if you’re considering doing one for your novel I recommend it without reservation. There’s no difference to be made here between fiction and nonfiction.

Alan

]]>