tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post3512757850440682639..comments2024-03-28T06:59:34.982-06:00Comments on Blood-Red Pencil: Countdown to a Book 12: A Question of Book TrailersDanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-81666069838327658322013-11-05T11:48:52.354-07:002013-11-05T11:48:52.354-07:00Hi Kathryn,
Wanted to follow up on my September 1...Hi Kathryn,<br /><br />Wanted to follow up on my September 11 comment. Here's the link to my video.<br /><br />http://pubslush.com/books/id/468<br /><br />I was so worried that it would get stale if I practiced over and over, so settled on accepting the background whoosh of a truck driving by. I have since learned from my Toastmasters group is that practice really does make perfect. Next time I make a video I will practice, practice, practice til I get it just right!<br /><br />Crowdfunding has been a lot of work, but worth it! <br /><br />Thanks again for this topic. - KimKim Hrubahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16577251183481936978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-83368354830528893992013-11-05T11:46:21.227-07:002013-11-05T11:46:21.227-07:00Kathryn, I am back to follow up with my comment fr...Kathryn, I am back to follow up with my comment from September 11.<br /><br />I launched my Pubslush campaign and I have been very happy with it. Crowdfunding is a lot of work, but worth it. Here is the link to my page and you can view my video. <br /><br />http://pubslush.com/books/id/468<br /><br />Other than the truck driving by mid-shot, I was pleased with the result. My goal was to connect directly with the reader/viewer. I was so nervous about getting it just right and doing it over and over. I worried that I'd lose the relaxed atmosphere if I practiced over and over. However, I learned through my Toastmasters group that practice really does make perfect and I shouldn't have to fear doing it over and over again. Is that a ramble or did that make sense? A bit of both? Ha! :)<br /><br />Thank you again, for this topic!<br /><br />KimKim Hrubahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16577251183481936978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-48527498101426291432013-09-11T05:32:50.221-06:002013-09-11T05:32:50.221-06:00I tested my 1-minute pitch out on my Toastmasters ...I tested my 1-minute pitch out on my Toastmasters Club last night. Thumbs up! They offered some good suggestions for tweaks. Thanks for the tip and encouragement!Kim Hrubahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17707688244510990236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-12029697390183196952013-09-10T15:16:51.081-06:002013-09-10T15:16:51.081-06:00Kim: I was just thrilled to take it under the 3-mi...Kim: I was just thrilled to take it under the 3-minute mark, after seeing others that ran much longer. Everything needed to hook the reader is in the first minute, though. Here's my creative math: there are two story lines, so that's thirty seconds a piece, lol. I figure those who are motivated will continue to watch, and the others probably wouldn't have been reached with this method anyway.<br /><br />And I think we do have to remember that not every book can be shrunk to a high-concept log line—and in trying to do so, you may misrepresent your project, which readers never like.<br /><br />Good luck with your Pubslush campaign!Kathryn Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08371458857187160425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-40247738828599176992013-09-10T08:32:42.698-06:002013-09-10T08:32:42.698-06:00I LOVE the interview concept in lieu of the traile...I LOVE the interview concept in lieu of the trailer. I think that what potential readers/investors want to see is the author's genuine enthusiasm for their own work. I would recommend shortening the description of the book to a few sentences, then answering questions like: How did you get this idea? What themes does your book explore? What excites you about your book?<br /><br />I think that if readers love your books, then this kind of interview will connect them to you (the author.)<br /><br />For my Pubslush campaign, I will be creating a video as part of my profile. By reviewing others' videos, I too, came to the conclusion that my pitch must be shorter than 1 minute. (Although I will be keeping that 30 second mark in the back of my mind.)<br /><br />Also, in my case, if I'm asking for money from folks, my video should look nicely done (like Kathryn's) but not appear to be an expensive production. Rather, shoot (haha, pardon the pun) for something that is simple and honest.Kim Hrubahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17707688244510990236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-58753590774530080822013-09-08T19:34:47.686-06:002013-09-08T19:34:47.686-06:00Glad to hear I'm not the only one, Heidi!Glad to hear I'm not the only one, Heidi!Kathryn Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08371458857187160425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-91421563366814630462013-09-08T19:34:08.791-06:002013-09-08T19:34:08.791-06:00Good point, Linda! We can be duped by great openin...Good point, Linda! We can be duped by great openings, too, for sure.Kathryn Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08371458857187160425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-78847172734241442152013-09-08T19:33:31.186-06:002013-09-08T19:33:31.186-06:00Yes I know you enjoyed making your trailer, Dixian...Yes I know you enjoyed making your trailer, Dixiane, and your enthusiasm almost had me—but I realized it would take me too much time while I needed to be concentrating on other things. Thanks for chiming in here!Kathryn Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08371458857187160425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-45235346602233681522013-09-08T19:31:38.210-06:002013-09-08T19:31:38.210-06:00Thanks Christopher. Interesting feedback on your t...Thanks Christopher. Interesting feedback on your trailer...Kathryn Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08371458857187160425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-47242114679869137452013-09-08T19:30:56.606-06:002013-09-08T19:30:56.606-06:00I liked this trailer when I saw it—it's really...I liked this trailer when I saw it—it's really well done, as you'd expect from someone with ties to TV!—but I already knew I wanted to read her book for other reasons, so it didn't prompt a sale.Kathryn Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08371458857187160425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-45270168228468748322013-09-08T19:28:14.400-06:002013-09-08T19:28:14.400-06:00Thanks for the feedback, Meredith. Interesting to ...Thanks for the feedback, Meredith. Interesting to know! :)Kathryn Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08371458857187160425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-46743931602113937112013-09-07T12:08:30.632-06:002013-09-07T12:08:30.632-06:00I've never bought a book based on a trailer an...I've never bought a book based on a trailer and I rarely even view them, because of things mentioned--length & quality. I started to make one for my first book but was stymied and never finished.Heidiwriterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02593338979995203659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-14504870351536325602013-09-07T04:57:28.321-06:002013-09-07T04:57:28.321-06:00I'd rather see an author interview (real perso...I'd rather see an author interview (real person) than a story trailer (fictional characters). I can tell a lot more about whether I'd enjoy the book from the interview than from a tiny trailer. Of course, in either case I could be wrong in my assessment.Linda Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06686488133905538811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-29423830555923780242013-09-06T18:50:04.945-06:002013-09-06T18:50:04.945-06:00I think it's just another form of advertising,...I think it's just another form of advertising, and builds on other forms. It's all about name recognition.Danihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-10583699114880579142013-09-06T18:49:19.998-06:002013-09-06T18:49:19.998-06:00You have to embed them on your website, blog, and ...You have to embed them on your website, blog, and use them repeatedly everywhere you promote on social networks. Repeat, repeat, repeat. Never miss a chance to leave a link to your trailer, maybe not daily, but often.Danihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-52322777454002037962013-09-06T16:45:31.006-06:002013-09-06T16:45:31.006-06:00By the way, I don't think it was an effective ...By the way, I don't think it was an effective way to sell books, but I'm happy I did it.Dixiane Hallajhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14452560319357131373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-42551023117214495812013-09-06T16:43:22.579-06:002013-09-06T16:43:22.579-06:00Yes, I have bought a book based on the trailer--an...Yes, I have bought a book based on the trailer--and I loved the book. Before I made my trailer for It's Just Lola, I spent a lot of time watching trailers. One was so bad I turned down the offer of a free book. <br /><br />I enjoyed the process and the results. Everyone who has commented loves the music (composed by my grandson). It's 70 seconds long.<br />https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AwpUTUOlzADixiane Hallajhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14452560319357131373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-58385818493807205832013-09-06T15:59:38.327-06:002013-09-06T15:59:38.327-06:00I checked the link. That's not really a book t...I checked the link. That's not really a book trailer; it's an interview. Even so, I shut it off at the 32 second mark. I know, like, and admire Hank Philiipi Ryan, but if I wanted to know about her book, I'd look it up on B&N and download the free sample. Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-73067431808121009922013-09-06T11:11:02.617-06:002013-09-06T11:11:02.617-06:00Have I ever purchased a book based on a book-trail...Have I ever purchased a book based on a book-trailer? That's easy ... no. Hmmm, that might have something to do with the money I wasted getting one made for my first book ... results from that were zippo. Annnnyway, good job on the interview video thing, Kathryn ... hope it works!Christopher Hudsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03667548312923348614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-34294236946996287922013-09-06T10:12:44.833-06:002013-09-06T10:12:44.833-06:00The #1 thing that puts me off is inappropriate mus...The #1 thing that puts me off is inappropriate music for the theme of the book. Like rock music for a historical novel. Bleh!Danihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-19361063464666994332013-09-06T10:10:56.767-06:002013-09-06T10:10:56.767-06:00And yet an exciting book trailer can inspire sales...And yet an exciting book trailer can inspire sales. I cite Hank Phillippi Ryan's trailer for The Other Woman as an example. It has everything. http://hankphillippiryan.com/other-woman.php#trailer Which reminds me I planned to interview her trailer master.Danihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-46015666942584392562013-09-06T09:55:34.815-06:002013-09-06T09:55:34.815-06:00Like you, Kathryn, my main exposure to book traile...Like you, Kathryn, my main exposure to book trailers has been the Shelf Awareness newsletter. But I have picked up links to some and included them in my blog at times, and readers of my blog sometimes comment on how it made them want to read the book. So, I do think there's a place for them. I also think your approach is fantastic, doing an interview, and low-low cost. When I finally get to the point that I have to make this decision for myself, I'll enjoy revisiting all these idea. In the meantime, I'm pretty sure I'll opt out of doing the work myself...Meredithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17696839254912225523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-83615598704982418222013-09-06T09:10:29.292-06:002013-09-06T09:10:29.292-06:00I only really see the"trailer of the week&quo...I only really see the"trailer of the week" examples that are featured in the Shelf Awareness newsletter, and they are typically for YA or commercial genres such as horror, thriller, or romance. So to prepare for this post I looked up Margaret Atwood and Ann Patchett—and wouldn't you know, they have trailers (probably made by their publishers) for their most recent titles! Yet I never would have known it—so discoverability is indeed an issue. Kathryn Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08371458857187160425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-4390003413841965632013-09-06T09:06:31.601-06:002013-09-06T09:06:31.601-06:00I agree that length is an important consideration....I agree that length is an important consideration. I've seen some of these author interview videos that go on 6 to 9 minutes and by that point the author seems to be rambling. Thanks for the link to your trailer! I can't listen now because I'm at my fall writing retreat, surrounded by quietly writing women, but will check it out when they leave on Sunday!Kathryn Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08371458857187160425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-15423877274776973202013-09-06T09:03:40.226-06:002013-09-06T09:03:40.226-06:00Thanks for this feedback! I think a comparison can...Thanks for this feedback! I think a comparison can be made between book trailers and verbal pitches—some people can nail them—but in the end, it really is all about the writing.Kathryn Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08371458857187160425noreply@blogger.com