If there’s a way to promote a book, an author will find it. And I think that sentence should be written in stone some place. You can quote me! LOL Never more truer words have been written. It’s just dead on. Everything from bookmarks to contests, blogging and giving away free reads has been done. Do you think sponsoring a bowling team would work? Can you see your favorite author’s name and website addy on the back of one of those shirts? How about emblazoned across a huge billboard? The latest trend in promotions seems to be moving in the direction of book trailers. Technology is everything these days, isn’t it? Readers seem to respond quite well to these mini-movies that blurb our books, too. Hey…a picture is worth a thousand words, right? But it’s not just the images. Nope. The text that goes along with them is essential in capturing attention as well, giving us a wonderful collaboration of visuals and the written word.
I’ve been looking at a lot of trailers lately, and there is one element that seems to be the glue that holds the text and images together. Music. If a video isn’t set to the right music, it falls apart. The text and images need to match the feel of that music. It’s all about tone. An edgy suspense story just doesn’t sound right with a backdrop of polka music. LOL So the music must be chosen carefully or the author risks losing his/her audience--YOU the reader.
A great many authors pay someone to make their book trailers. I would be one of them. LOL I am techno-stupid for sure. I know nothing about movie-maker or any of those other gadgets. But there are others who are do-it-yourself kind of guys and gals and are willing to brave technology in order to get the word out about their books. I’ve been pretty impressed by the effort these authors are putting into these videos. Wish I was that talented. I’m not. sighhhhh
Today I have three examples of what I consider trailers that just plain work. The first is very special to me because it’s for one of my books—Latin Rhythm. (Just click on the title to check out the book.)
The cover for Latin Rhythm recently won an Ariana at EPIC for Best Contemporary Erotic Romance. The cover art and video were created by Lex Valentine of Winterheart Designs. Take a look at this wonderful representation of my book!
Next is a video created by Tina of Topaz Promotions . Tina is new to video design and doing an amazing job of it I have to say. This particular video was created for author Regina Carlysle for her latest Ellora’s Cave release, Panther Moon. (Just click on the title to check out the book.) You’re going to love this!
And I’ve saved what I consider to be an incredible video for last. This isn’t exactly a book trailer, but a promotional trailer for a publisher. Total E Bound. Yep, even publishers are getting in on the latest trend--and with good reason. My dear friend, Emmy Ellis, is head of the art department for TEB, and she’s just amazing. I am constantly awed by her book covers and now trailers. She is also the very talented author of dozens of books under the pseudonyms of Sarah Masters and Natalie Dae. If you would like to take a peek at her work, stop by Posh Gosh Designs.
When Emmy posted this video on Facebook for all to WOW over, I was beyond WOWED! This video is absolutely fabulous! I’d been wondering what I was going to talk about for my very first post here at The Romance Studio, and as soon as I watched this I knew I had my topic. The images, the text, the music—everything about it is timed so perfectly. The colors and movement are ethereal, yet vibrant and electrifying and will dazzle your mind! So, without further ado…LOL…here it is!
If these three videos don’t make you want to rush out and buy, I don’t know what will. LOL I love this new way of promoting books, and I think readers thoroughly enjoy it too. Go ahead… Make a video!
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16 comments:
Love the looks and sounds of these trailers and I'm with you, Tess, we need to constantly push the boundaries to get the word out. I'm pretty much a techno-phobe but I'm hoping one of these days to get brave enough to try making my own. Great post!
Thank you for the shout out, Tess. I have to admit, Latin Rhythm has to be one of the easiest covers and trailers I've ever done. I must have been inspired by that hot, hot book! *wink*
Exactly, Rita, we've got to push those boundaries. It's hard for us techno-phobes, lol, but we need to get with the program. lol
I think for now, though, I'll pay to have my trailers created. I'm still a scaredy cat!
Love your video, hon. Panther Moon's cover is so damn hot too! Woot, it sooo works!
Awwww...thanks, Lex. I'm forever looking at that cover and video. Just love the way they both just fit that book so well.
Wishing you many more hot hot video creations---not to mention hot hot book covers too! And congrats again on winning the Ariana! Woot!
Great post, Tess. I am sooon lovin' Emmy's TEB trailer - it is mesmerizing!
Em is just loaded with talent, isn't she, Lily? I can't imagine the time it took to make that trailer. But I can definitely see her discerning eye for imagery and her keen awareness of just what fits.
That video is gorgeous. All three of them are. And I've seen a whole lot more lately that have made me sit up and take notice. We seem to be getting the hang of what these trailers need to be in order to get the job done.
Thank you for the shout out! I am loving making trailers. It is a fun way to express a book through music and pictures. I too love the total E bound one amazing and their website ROCKS!
For those who do want to take the risk, I actually wrote down the steps for creating a fairly simple book trailer on my blog....
http://valeriedouglasbooks.blogspot.com/
I've made all my book trailers but not all are that brave or technosavvy, or have friends who are, and some people just can't afford to have someone else do it.
For a sample of one of mine, just go to YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7y1TMnshxtU
You're welcome, Tina. I really enjoyed the trailer you did for Regina. Also saw one you did for Cindy Jacks. Great job, hon.
Valerie, thanks, hon. And I just watched your trailer for Song of the Faery Queen. Very well done. Amazing images and the music was simply beautiful.
I hope authors see your links and stop by your site to take advantage of all your trailer-making advice!
I agree, I agree! All beautiful trailers. Well, you've sold me. I want a trailer now, too! Um...so I'll need to disband my promo-themeed bowling team, though, right? LOL..
Good post, Tess!
LOL @ the bowling team, CZ.
But yep, I think I want a couple of these book trailers. Need something to show off for sure.
And I am now imagining how your Candy G would look and the Latin music playing in the background.
YUM!
Nice trailer choices with great music. But you CAN be edgy with polka music! I did. ;-D
You'll have to send me your trailer, Cynthia. I'd love to see it.
Tess: Great blog. And, as you said, marvelous video trailers. For quite a while I've been telling myself that I have to learn how to do this. I've just got to get more organized with my time! :)
LOL Yes, more organized with our time would help a lot, Samantha. Not sure I really want to learn how. Might try it just to say I did it.
But for anywhere between thirty five and fifty dollars, you can pay someone to do it for you. That might be the better route for me.
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