And Now, Live on the Silver Screen....

It's just little ol' me and my book trailer.

One of the great things about the changes happening in the publishing industry is the introduction of the book trailer. I definitely think it has great potential to drive sales...if used in the right way.

I have seen incredibly boring trailers, long-winded and dry. I've seen okay ones. And then I've seen ones that made me click over to read the book blurb.

Making a book trailer is hard work. Will anyone buy a book because of its trailer? Who knows? But I feel like a great, hooky trailer will generate interest in looking at the story. Which can lead to sales or at least some kind of buzz.

Below is my trailer. I had a really fun time making it, even though I'm not sure I utilized everything the best way. You can also check out my good friend Anita's blog where she hosts a Trailer Thursday every week.



Have you ever made a trailer? Thought about it? What do you look for in one, and do you think a great trailer could prompt you to explore the story more?

Comments

Jessica R. Patch said…
I like it!! You did a great job. I like book trailers if they're done well. I love watching previews to movies at the theater so that may be why.

So do all authors have to make their own trailers or do marketing teams at pub houses do some? Curious.

Great job, Jess!
November 9, 2011 at 7:18 AM
Joanne said…
Great job, I can definitely see the conflict building in your story. I think that one of the most important aspects of a trailer is the same as a blog post, or query letter ... It has to say a lot in a very short time. Some go on for too many minutes, and I prefer ones like yours, under a minute, that effectively get that story across.
November 9, 2011 at 8:00 AM
Sandra Orchard said…
Great job, Jessica. It looks like you had a lot of fun with this. I don't go out of my way to watch trailers...have only looked at those of a few friends, so I guess I'd have to say they're not the tipping point for me in exploring a story more.
November 9, 2011 at 8:22 AM
Susan J. Reinhardt said…
Hi Jess -

I.Want.This.Book. Need I say more?

Blessings,
Susan :)
November 9, 2011 at 8:32 AM
Terri Tiffany said…
Wonderful! I love it!! You did a good job capturing the story since I read it I can say that:)) So happy for you!
November 9, 2011 at 8:34 AM
Julie Dao said…
You did such a great job!! This makes me want to read the book!
November 9, 2011 at 8:39 AM
Wendy Paine Miller said…
So fun to watch...makes it more real.

I made one for a book that will likely not be published. It took a good deal of time so I'm not in a hurry to create another until I have a contract (but it was fun).

~ Wendy
November 9, 2011 at 9:23 AM
Jessica Nelson said…
Jessica, I love movie trailers too!!!

Joanne, I agree. Anything over a minute and half feels too long to me.

Well Sandra, everyone is different. :-) My husband doesn't really like to watch movie trailers either (let alone book ones!) lol
November 9, 2011 at 9:44 AM
Jessica Nelson said…
Susan, no, you've said quite enough to leave me smiling for the day. :-)

Yay!!! Terri, I'm so glad to hear you say that cuz I wanted to try to capture the gist of the story.

Thank you, Julie!! :-)

Oooh, Wendy, is it up somewhere? I'd love to watch it! And why won't the book get pubbed? You never know... *grin*
November 9, 2011 at 9:45 AM
Erica Vetsch said…
That was lovely! I liked the suspenseful music. Very nice job!
November 9, 2011 at 9:55 AM
Jessica Nelson said…
Thank you, Erica. :-) I love the beginning of the song and the end the most.
November 9, 2011 at 9:59 AM
Eileen Astels Watson said…
Love the sound track and this is definitely catchy! I'm so excited to get to read this in paper book copy, Jessica.

Man, there's a lot to learn when you get published isn't there? Creating trailers, vlogging, marketing, . . . Oh boy, it's kind of scary to think about, actually!
November 9, 2011 at 10:26 AM
Jessica Nelson said…
Eileen, I KNOW. One day at a time, that's what I keep telling myself.
November 9, 2011 at 11:30 AM
Loree Huebner said…
Beautiful! Makes me want to read it...can't wait!
November 9, 2011 at 11:41 AM
Stacy Henrie said…
Great job, Jessica! Love the conflict. Sounds like a great read.

I haven't done a book trailer yet, but I love movie trailers and the idea of creating something similar.
November 9, 2011 at 1:45 PM
Unknown said…
I love it! Can't wait to read the book!
November 9, 2011 at 2:34 PM
Sarah Forgrave said…
Oh wow, I love the flower picture at the end. Nice job, Jessica! :)
November 9, 2011 at 2:46 PM
Keli Gwyn said…
Kudos on your book trailer, Jessie. I'm impressed! Sounds like a great story filled with secrets and suspense.
November 9, 2011 at 11:34 PM
Anita Grace Howard said…
Aw, you sweet pal! Promoting my Thursday series when here I am being naughty and only having one this month. HEE

Two things about a trailer will get a book on my TBR pile: 1) short and hooky like yours; 2) dark and atmospheric enough to creep me out.

BTW, I love your trailer. I think you did a wonderful job matching pictures to text and summing up your story while leaving us intrigued. :) You know I'm first in line to buy it!!
November 9, 2011 at 11:34 PM
Angie Muresan said…
Jessica, that was wonderful! I can't wait to read your book.
November 10, 2011 at 2:40 AM
Linda Kage said…
Oh, cool!!!! I like your trailer, what a neat, dramatic end.

I'm hooked on book trailers myself. Don't know if I put together anything very good, but they're fun and addictive and make me happy, so I keep creating them!
November 10, 2011 at 8:54 AM
Jessica Nelson said…
Thanks Linda! They are very addictive, aren't they?? lol

Thanks Angie. :-)

Anita, so far I've really enjoyed the trailers you put up. Good taste, my friend.

Hi Keli!! Thank you for your sweet comment. The books isn't a suspense, but it does have elements of it in there. :-)
November 10, 2011 at 9:03 PM
Jessica Nelson said…
Thank you Loree, Julie and Sarah!

Stacy, it was super fun!! You should try it. Learning to use the Movie Maker and mix music with images was pretty interesting.
November 10, 2011 at 9:04 PM
Lauren F. Boyd said…
Awesome, awesome, awesome! Keep up the good work!

Thanks, too, for stopping by my blog! Great to see you, as always!
November 10, 2011 at 9:16 PM
Nancy said…
I have never seen a book trailer before. That first picture and the music and then the quick picture of the writer - it gave me chills. I think you got it right. I'm so impressed. The books sounds great, too.
November 11, 2011 at 11:51 AM
Jeanette Levellie said…
Oh, it's magnificent! I love it--it gave me goosebumps! Really.

I did think the credits were too fast. I like to see people's names who worked on something. We even stay to the last name at a theatre, so we can see all the credits.

I hired someone to do my trailer. I so admire you for doing your own!
November 11, 2011 at 3:54 PM
Patsy said…
Intriguing trailer.
November 11, 2011 at 4:53 PM
Kathryn Magendie said…
BB made my first trailer and I made the next one - the problem with them is I think they are too long. If I do another one, I'd make it very short and succinct like yours!

So happy for you, Jessica.
November 12, 2011 at 12:45 PM
Jennifer Shirk said…
Great job! Conveys your story and what it's all about in a short amount of time and makes me want to read the book. :-)

I think a trailer is a great idea! It can be used as a great promotional tool to create some buzz.
November 12, 2011 at 8:05 PM
Deb Shucka said…
What a wonderful trailer this is. Short, but powerful, and definitely left me wanting to read the book. Wishing you such good luck with this path and looking forward to following along with you as you travel and share.
November 13, 2011 at 11:15 AM
Karen Lange said…
Can't wait to read it! :)
November 14, 2011 at 11:10 AM
MTeacress said…
I don't usually watch book trailers. I've seen some bad ones, and I feel so terrible for the author.

I watched yours though - I like the music a lot, and how well you summed up your book in such a short space of time. Good job. :)
November 15, 2011 at 10:53 AM
Katie Ganshert said…
That is AWESOME! How cool that you made it! I'm impressed!
November 20, 2011 at 6:14 PM
Janet, said…
I think you did a great job. I love the trailer! I also love movie trailers, they give you a sneak peak at what's coming, just like yours did with your book.
November 30, 2011 at 8:51 AM
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