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Why Do You Need a Book Trailer


Many writers and illustrators ask me, "Is it really important to have a book trailer for my upcoming book?" My answer is "YES!" Book and Event trailers are a lot like movie trailers. They catch viewer interest if done right. I don’t know if you have noticed, but many BIG publishing houses have discovered the importance of book trailers. They believe in them so much that you can catch them as television commercials. Something you didn’t see 20, 10 and even 5 years ago!
Book and event trailers are fast becoming the future in marketing, promotions and school events. Similar to a movie trailer, a book trailer is a marketing tool to assist authors, illustrators and publishers in promoting their work by creating a viral marketing campaign online. You may even have noticed event trailers or home videos making it on the home pages of places such as Yahoo.com. Why is this? Because people are spending more and more time online, and they are looking for entertainment. Who knows, if you do your book or event trailer right, you may reach an audience you might not have been able to reach before from your hometown.
Okay, so now you understand you need a book trailer, but how do you go about making one. Many companies online offer these services. Some of them are publicity firms, your publisher (tradition and self-publishers) may offer this service, you can hire a freelancer/company to make one for you, or if you think you can…do it yourself. There are many online sites that offer software (free or for a small fee) to make trailers. 

Here are a few places to check out who offer trailer services. Some are free others charge a small fee. I have worked with them all so I know they are fair and do a good job.

SFC Book & Event Trailers
You Tube.com
One True Media
Yahoo Video
Blazing Trailers
TrailerSpy
Vimeo

The thing to keep in mind is a book or event trailer is a low to no cost way to spread the word and create buzz about your book. Trailers are the perfect tool for marketing on your site, social media sites, book review sites, blogs, online magazines, etc. 


Stories for Children Publishing will be touring award-winning author VS Grenier and her book, “Babysitting SugarPaw” a picture book about friendship and telling the truth all month long in June 2011.

You can find out more about VS Grenier’s World of Ink Author/Book Tour schedule at http://storiesforchildrenpublishing.com/BabysittingSugarPaw.aspx. There will be giveaways, reviews, interviews, guest posts and more. Make sure to stop by and interact with VS Grenier and the hosts at the different stops by leaving comments and/or questions.
In addition, come listen to Blog Talk Radio’s World of Ink Network show: Stories for Children at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldofinknetwork. The hosts VS Grenier, Kris Quinn Chirstopherson and Irene Roth chatted about Grenier’s picture book, writing, the publishing industry and experiences with virtual tours. Grenier will also be sharing writing tips and trials, and tribulations of the writer’s life.

The show will be live June 6, 2011 at 1pm EST (12pm Central, 11am MST, and 10am PST). You can tune in at the World of Ink Network site at http://www.blogtalkradion.com/worldofinknetwork. You can listen/call in at (714) 242-5259. (Note: if you can’t make the show, you can listen on demand at the same link.)

To learn more about the World of Ink Tours visit Stories for Children Publishing at: http://storiesforchildrenpublishing.com
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Comments

  1. T. ForehandJune 14, 2011 at 4:30 PM

    Good information, a book trailer sure can't hurt.
    Thanks for sharing your views.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Virginia S GrenierJune 14, 2011 at 4:31 PM

    Thanks Terri for stopping by and leaving a comment. I'm glad you found the information useful.

    ReplyDelete
  3. BarbaraBJune 14, 2011 at 6:01 PM

    I definitely want to get a book trailer for my upcoming picture book. I don't know when it's coming out, but I plan to do it a month or two before publication.

    Thanks, Virginia, for the info and the encouragement.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Connie ArnoldJune 14, 2011 at 6:43 PM

    Thank you for sharing the information. I had asked that question about book trailers too and finally got one made for my children's book. It's fun to have!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Virginia S GrenierJune 14, 2011 at 9:48 PM

    Thanks for stopping by Barbara and Connie. I'm glad my little post was helpful.

    Barbara, if you email me your link or post it here...I'll favorite to the Storiesforchildren Channel at YouTube. We get some great traffic there.

    Also, I hope you both keep me in mind when you're touring your books for kids. Stories for Children loves helping to spread the word on new books for kids...http://storiesforchildrenpublishing.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Sarah AllenJune 15, 2011 at 10:14 AM

    Great post! I've been working on how to make successful trailers, and this is some great advice and some awesome examples.

    Sarah Allen
    (my creative writing blog)

    ReplyDelete
  7. ShaundaJune 15, 2011 at 1:07 PM

    Great post, and so true! Kids have loved seeing my book trailers at school visits. It definitely catches their attention, and sparks an interest in the book. I had luck with making mine with One True Media. Anyone who wants to see an example can check mine out at my blog

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousJune 15, 2011 at 1:33 PM

    Wow, this is a fantastic idea! I love it and I will definitely make use of it as I prepare to publish my first book.

    Also, thank you indirectly for the "Irresistibly Sweet" Blog Award. Dallas Woodburn passed on the award to me after you gave it to her. And now it has led me to your lovely blog!

    Keep up the great posts!

    Keep shining,
    The Sunny Girl, Lauren Cook
    http://www.thesunnygirl.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Virginia S GrenierJune 15, 2011 at 5:09 PM

    Sarah, Lauren, and Shaunda thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. For all of you who have left a comment, your names will be entered into my contest to win a FREE copy of my book Babysitting Sugarpaw.

    All the best.

    ReplyDelete

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