Thank you so much for hosting me during my Cherish the Romance Book Tour, which launches my contemporary romantic suspense, Lancelot’s Lady. My tour runs until October 10th and I’m giving away some great prizes, including a Kobo ereader sponsored by KoboBooks.com. Now let’s explore the fascinating world of book trailers…
Book trailers have increased in popularity over the past two years, and you’ll find that many publishers and writers, including bestselling authors, use trailers as part of their marketing. Schools holding book fairs are using book trailers to get the attention of younger readers.
YouTube currently has over 355,000 book trailers. The most popular is Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters, which has had over 240,000 views. These facts alone show that book trailers are being viewed.
Personally, some trailers have led to me buying a book. I bought Mothering Mother by Carol D. O’Dell based on her book trailer and info. The info drew me in, the trailer sold me. I’ve seen awesome trailers and some that are just not that well done. Technology has changed and trailers once considered more complex are now easier to create. With micro-stock photos readily available at cheaper prices, it’s more affordable than ever to have a book trailer made.
Book trailers vary in style. Some are text only with dramatic music. Those can definitely be appealing, since nothing else distracts the viewer. Some trailers feature live actors. Most of these are low budget shorts with unknown actors of minor skill, but once in a while you’ll come across a trailer that showcases excellent acting.
A while ago, I watched Dean Koontz’s Odd Passenger “webisodes” (or Internet movie chapters) on YouTube. It is basically a series of short book trailers that, combined, tell a creepy story. The acting won’t win any Academy Awards; however, it’s solid enough and the camera shots are professional enough that I was hooked. Reel me in, Odd! I’ve ordered all of the Odd books because of these webisodes.
Most of my trailers have been created by a friend who happens to be very talented. Kelly Komm is best known as a YA fantasy author, but her trailers are so well done (even better than my last publisher’s) that I’ve had her create mine.
Here’s the trailer for Lancelot’s Lady:
Thank you to everyone for dropping by this blog and visiting me on my Cherish the Romance Virtual Book Tour. Lancelot’s Lady is available in ebook edition at Amazon’s Kindle Store, Smashwords and other ebook retailers. Pick up a copy today and “Cherish the romance…” You can learn more about Lancelot’s Lady and Cherish D’Angelo (aka Cheryl Kaye Tardif) at http://www.cherylktardif.com.
Prizes & Giveaways: Follow Cherish from September 27 to October 10 on her Cherish the Romance Virtual Book Tour and win prizes.
Leave a comment here, with email address, to be entered into the prize draws. You’re guaranteed to receive at least 1 free ebook just for doing so. Plus you’ll be entered to win a Kobo ereader. Winners will be announced after October 10th.
Does the above video intrigue you, tease you, leave you wanting more? Does it make you want to order Lancelot’s Lady? Have you ever bought a book because of the book trailer? Enquiring minds (mine!) wanna know.
Thanks for the wonderful guest post, Cheryl. Good luck with your tour! The book looks like an awesome read!
[…] Read the article HERE. […]
Thank you so much, Mayra. I’ll check back to see if there are any comments. 🙂
~Cherish/Cheryl
That is a beautiful trailer. I have yet to buy a book because of a trailer, but that has more to do with a lack of funds (yay, bills!) than not being motivated by a trailer. I’m very impressed with how far trailers have come in such a short time.
That is a beautiful trailer. I have yet to buy a book because of a trailer, but that has more to do with a lack of funds (yay, bills!) than not being motivated by a trailer. I’m very impressed with how far trailers have come in such a short time.
jmfictionscribe@yahoo.com.au
To be quite honest, this was the first book “trailer” I have ever seen or even heard of. As a Kindle owner, I check out samples of books and that is what will make it or break it for me.
After seeing the trailer, I definitely want to read a sample chapter and will most likely buy LL as I have several of Ms. D’Angelo’s other works as Cheryl Kaye Tardif. The author herself directed me to Divine Intervention and now has me hooked and waiting, rather impatiently I might add, for the sequel.
As you can tell I follow directions to the T. (rolling eyes) I forgot to leave my email address:
tammy_j_castleberry at yahoo dot com
One more thing about book trailers. I like the idea of them being used at book fairs to get our children interested in reading again. I wish my daughter read half as much as I did at her age (and that was quite a lot!). Even if it’s DTB, makes no difference. Reading is fundamental. Whoa…i sound like a psa from the 70’s now.
Jaime and Tammy, thanks for dropping by and leaving comments. 🙂
Jaime, I agree that trailers are much better now. I prefer the style of mine–text and instrumental music. I’m not big on the live acted trailers or the ones that are narrated.
Tammy, I’m so glad the trailer works for you. 🙂 As for the sequel to Divine Intervention, how about this…if my agent doesn’t sell it by the end of this year, I’ll publish it myself in early 2011. Great idea to have book trailers at book fairs. I also think that teachers should use them more when doing novel studies. I know a few do. I love that my novel Whale Song is used regularly in some schools as a novel study.
You both are entered into my draws as you’ve left a comment and email addy. Good luck!!
Cherish
i like it – well done! trailers have definitely come a long way, even since just a couple of years ago! i’ve never bought a book because of a trailer, but sometimes they intrigue me enough to look up the author’s website, reviews of the book, etc., as i did with yours….:)
k_sunshine1977 at yahoo dot com
Cheryl,
This is an interesting discussion on whether or not book trailers sell books. I think it comes down to the quality of the production. A book trailer that has amazing, compelling content that uses both music and video to help tell the story, or at the very least, set the stage for the book is definitely an excellent marketing tool that can help sell a lot of books.
I invite you to take a look at the music video we just produced for New York Times bestselling author Alyssa Day for her Warriors of Poseidon series. http://www.radiatormusic.com
We wrote and produced the song for her storyworld – the lyrics were written specifically about her characters and the video features scenes from the first book of what is now a six-book series. Check out the response she’s gotten on her blog from her readers and fans. http://warriorsofposeidon.blogspot.com/2010/08/music-video.html
Let me know what you think…
Hmm … I suspect that trailers may work better for other genres (mystery/crime?). It would probably work for established authors, but for someone I’ve not read before I’d want to get an idea of how the author writes, not just the plot.
duncan.tim49@yahoo.co.uk
Thank you for sharing. I liked your book trailer and it does intrigue me. I don’t think I’ve ever bought a book solely based on the trailer, but I have dug for more info on them.
pams00 @ aol.com