Book trailers are a powerful marketing tool for authors who want to promote their books. The goal of a book trailer is to create an emotional connection with the viewer and make them want to read the book. Unfortunately, it is an effective tool frequently forgotten by authors and publishers in press releases, at local meetups, and on social media. 

Book trailers can help promote your new book by building anticipation for your next release and increasing the reader’s engagement. 

Why are book trailers important?

In the digital age, people prefer to learn from a video than reading text - which is why you should use this tool to your advantage as an author. People want to be convinced in 90 seconds or less (the length of an Instagram Reel or TikTok video) why they should buy something from you. Book trailers are effective because they give viewers a sense of what it's like to read the story without actually having to read it themselves.

Book trailers help readers understand you, what your book is about, and the value behind your message. 

It is an excellent way to get more exposure to your work and market it to potential readers through social media marketing campaigns and other online advertising tools. They are also a great way to build excitement for your upcoming release!

So, what is a book trailer, and how do you create one? 

A book trailer is a short video (less than three minutes long) used to advertise a book. It is typically a movie trailer-style video that introduces the author and their book in a way that generates buzz about the book and makes people want to buy it. 

A good book trailer is meant to get your audience hooked, engaged, and eager to know more about the story.

The details and storytelling inside your book trailer should be exciting and entertaining enough to catch the reader’s eye without giving away the whole plot of your book. You just want to give them a sneak peek of what they’ll find inside your pages. 

Before you create a book trailer, keep in mind and include the following:

Know Your Target Audience

Your book’s target audience is the same target audience you had in mind when you wrote your book. Remember, your book is not for “everyone.” It’s important that every element inside your book trailer speaks to your target audience - from the soundtrack you choose to the narration and the content. The more targeted your video trailer is, the more likely your audience will connect with you and your message. 

Video Trends

The first thing you need to do is invest time in understanding the video content trends and how they change over time. You also need to know what is currently popular in the market and how to incorporate them into your videos. This will make your videos more exciting and allow you to stand out from other authors who are releasing their books at the same time as yours. You can search for the hashtag #BookTrailer on social media to find out what other authors are doing and which ones are trending. 

Know the correct video format 

Before you create your video, you’ve got to consider where you will be posting it to decide on the suitable video format - you can post in as many places as you like; just make sure the video works for each format. For example, square videos are great social media posts on Instagram; landscape formatting is best for YouTube, Facebook, and your landing page. The vertical format is ideal for stories, reels, and TikTok. 

Synopsis

You do not want to give away the whole story. You just want to share a sneak peek and enough details that get them interested enough to want to know more. Think about it as a pitch, where you’ve got less than 90 seconds to catch the attention of your future readers. 

Hook 

According to YouTube, you have15 seconds to grabyour audience's attention. Your hook is the central theme of your book, and it’s exactly what will create a deep connection with your audience, generate emotion, and make them want to purchase. You can introduce your readers to what to expect from the plot, quote some of your best passages or show them how your book will change their lives or help them overcome a familiar pain. 

Visuals and soundtrack

The video should be visually appealing, have captivating music that fits your book’s genre, and should be able to convey the tone of the book. Some people use real actors for their trailers, while others use stock videos or scenarios that match their content, the locations inside their books, or their desired outcomes. 

Here are some great resources where you can find royalty-free content for your trailer: 

• Pexels

• Unsplash

• Istock Photo

• StoryBlocks

• SoundStripe 

• MixIt

• Pixabay 

• Endorsement

Consider putting positive or intriguing comments and recommendations that highlight your work and compliment your story. Other people’s thoughts will increase your credibility and value as an expert for those who may not know you yet. 

Yourself 

You are the author of this book! Expose yourself, plug your social media accounts and share with your future readers why you wrote this book, how the experience behind it changed your life, and make your readers connect with you through your story.  

Call to Action 

Put a clear line that promotes action or a question that spurs readers to buy your book or, at the very least, piques their interest in learning more about it. Also, include the link where they can purchase your book.

Would you like this done for you?

Check out our book trailer services here!