Today on the show Jodi discusses book trailers. A book trailer is essentially a one- to two-minute commercial for a book. Many author-entrepreneurs resist making one because they’re introverted. Book trailers can be a great tool in an author-entrepreneur’s book marketing toolbox. Though they are certainly optional, Jodi encourages author-entrepreneurs to think about making one for a couple reasons.
First, the power of video is enormous. Video is compelling. It immediately establishes that one-on-one, know-like-trust factor with somebody watching the video, which can go a long way with a cold audience to convince them to buy your book.
Second, you have the fact that the book market is so saturated. Anything author-entrepreneurs can do to stand out in that crowded market is a good thing.
Jodi differentiates between a book trailer for a novel versus one for a nonfiction book, because a nonfiction book is really about the content of the book and you and your expertise as the author-entrepreneur. A book trailer for a nonfiction book features the author talking directly to the audience about the benefits of the book and the transformation people will undergo by reading the book. A fiction book trailer, on the other hand, involves doing things with character and setting and special effects.
Regarding budget, like everything else book-marketing-related, there are ways to make one on a shoestring budget all the way up to spending tens of thousands of dollars. Many author-entrepreneurs set up your camera and record themselves, talking just like they do on Facebook Live or ITV or in a YouTube video. Perhaps they then send the materials out to an editor, to add some graphics or music. Booking time at a production studio is the opposite end of the spectrum and much more expensive.
If you decide a book trailer is right for you, here are a few quick tips:
- Write a script and stick to it. Don't try to wing it. This is especially if you are hiring professionals, because this can triple or quadruple the time it will take with restarts.
- Start with a hook. Grab your viewers’ attention quickly.
- End with a call to action. The call to action at the end of the book trailer should be to buy the book! Send viewers wherever you want people to purchase the book, whether that’s Amazon, your website, or somewhere else.
Listen here or on your favorite podcast player, and let me know what you think! Screenshot this episode and tag me on Instagram.
Have a book idea for your business but aren’t sure where to start? Check out my Jump-Start Guide here.
Want to connect further? Follow Jodi on Instagram.
Read: Book Trailers: Optional?
Watch: Book Marketing Strategies: Why You Need a Book Trailer
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