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Taming Technology ~

More and more authors are starting to use book trailers to create excitement about their books.  These can range from the very elaborate, movie theatre quality trailer, to the simple, stir the imagination trailer created by the author themselves for their own website.  Deciding to use a trailer, isn’t really a lot different than deciding to create a website--if you’ve got something to market, time or money (or both) to market it, why not?  If well done, it can’t hurt, and it just might help--a lot.  If not well done, poor quality in one place can lead a reader to have concerns over poor quality in your writing and possibly work against you.  Anything worth doing is worth doing the best that you can.

That said, trailers don’t have to be that complicated of a thing.  Here are some simple steps to help you make your trailer shine:

~ See what's out there first.  Look at other book trailers and see what works and what doesn't.  Get a feel for what you like and what you don't like.  See what other authors in your genre are doing.

~ Be true to yourself and your work.  If your "brand" or "image" is light, humorous romances, using dark, suspenseful colors, photos or music will give your work the wrong showcasing. 

~ Create a draft outline of what you think your trailer might be like.  Keep your high concept pitch or back cover blurb in mind to guide you.  Give the audience enough information to be interested, but leave them hanging with enough curiosity to want more.

~ Take your time in gathering photos, music, and other artwork to use.  Remember that they are protected by copyright laws and you will want to read the "fine print" on any website that you download items from.  Google search on "royalty free" photos and music for good places to start.

~ Make time to get familiar with the software that you are going to use.  Try creating a fun, learning project with home photos, etc., so that you become familiar with using the software, adjusting timing, etc.

~ As you start building your trailer, remember to keep it short.  You are not retelling the entire book in the trailer, but only intriguing the audience to want more.  No more than ninety seconds; sixty seconds is preferred.

~ Debut your trailer to a "safe" audience for their initial feedback.  What did they think?  Listen to their feedback openly, then adjust your trailer as you believe best.

~ Share it with the world:  upload it to your website, YouTube, MySpace, blogs, other authors sites, etc.  And talk about it every time you get the chance.  

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Last website updates ~~~ March 2008

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