That being said, maybe I should wake up and realize the potential for the Book Trailer. I have seen some really bad ones, with stilted dialogue and poor acting. Then there are the ones that keep it simple, like this one from Richard Jay Parker's book, STOP ME:
I commented on YouTube, "Nice, tight vid. I love that it is simple and has great music."
Here is another trailer that keeps it as simple as Parker's, but somehow isn't as successful.
My opinion? Too much information. I am no longer intrigued because the video goes on for so long, and I lose interest in the images and the book.
And I won't even post the bad ones...bad acting, melodrama, crappy dialogue...What do you think? Are book trailers a risk? Are they necessary in the modern world of digital technology? Do you watch them? Do they make you buy a book (or not buy one)?
The top one is great...nice pace. The second one is a little slow--we can all read faster than that. I think we have less-patience with videos than with books. I haven't been influenced to purchase a book by watching a trailer.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
I've really never paid much attention to book trailers...
ReplyDeleteNeither have I, guys.
ReplyDeleteI have one for my series, but to be honest, I don't really watch them. If the synopsis doesn't convince me to pick up a book, a video sure isn't going to make a difference.
ReplyDeleteCan we see yours, Diane? I would think a book trailer would appeal highly to the YA crowd. I should have explored that in my post!
ReplyDeleteI'm not interested in book trailers. I understand movie trailers, but not ones for books. They just seem like a waste of money to me. :0)
ReplyDeleteFew of the books I did had a trailer, and I must tell you it helps selling the book, especially the action books and epic sagas. For example, one of the books I did GLADIATRIX by Russel Withfield had an action packed trailer up on YouTube which was seen by tens of thousands, if not hundred thousands, of people there. You can't wish for a better advertisement, can you?
ReplyDeleteAnd I love when books are made into movies, but coming from me, that was totally expected, right? :))
I got a tour because of a book trailer so there are very effective ones out there. I emailed the author and told her that was the smartest trailer I have ever seen anyone make. She held a funeral for her book because she finally came to the conclusion it was never going to get a traditional book publisher and videotaped it. She ended up going self-published. I wish I could remember the author's name...that's so bad but if you saw it, you would die laughing. They're the ones to me that are effective. Like the first one you posted up there...it's not the "usual" book trailer and that's what's going to make it stand out.
ReplyDeleteThe first one is one of the best trailers I've seen - not that I've actually watched a lot of them :) I like them short and to the point!
ReplyDeleteI don't care for book trailers. That's why I'm not doing one for my book. I never watch them. I go by reader reviews on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
ReplyDeleteStephen Tremp
I've only ever watched one book trailer and only because I'd heard through the grapevine that it had been the cause of the author's success. It was good, almost convinced me. But, I don't seek out trailers. Like you, I prefer to judge a book by its writing (and its cover).
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