The free webinar with examples is at the end. I made it for Wild Ink and Conquest authors, but I’m now sharing it with YOU! Along with my free downloadable guide.:) Enjoy!

What is a Book Trailer?

A book trailer is similar to a movie trailer. It’s a short video created to entice the viewer to want to read your book by introducing the setting, theme, characters, and hook without giving too much away. In other words, it’s another tool to market your book to agents, editors, and readers.

Why You Should Make a Book Trailer

If you are a querying author, a soon-to-be-debut, or already published and looking to drum up more book sales, here’s why you should make a trailer for your book.

• Statistics tell us to. According to a study by Cisco, more than 80% of internet traffic is video consumption. Another study showed that video on a landing page increases conversions by as much as 80%. YouTube boasts more than 2 billion users and TikTok is closing in at more than 1 billion. And while video sharing platforms will come and go, the consumption of video will remain. There is no reason not to take advantage of the single most robust way to promote your book.

• Marketing. You can share your book trailer across your social media platforms, link it in your query and post it on your website. If you don’t have an author website, we’ll chat later. Additionally, excited viewers can share your book trailer with the click of a button.

• A Professional Touch to Your Author Brand. As you work to build your author brand through your social media platforms, website, etc. a book trailer is an additional place to showcase that brand via images, video, colors, fonts, mood, etc.

Now That We’ve Established the Why, Let’s Get to the How

My goal is to create guidelines and best-practices that work regardless of the video editing software you choose to use.

Below is the 5-step process I recommend for creating a unique and effective book trailer.

Looking for a little more guidance, check out the template at the end.

Tip!  Before starting the process, conduct research by watching other book trailers to discover what appeals to you and checkout video editing software as some include images, video clips and soundtracks within their product.

Step 1: Select Royalty Free Images/Video Clips

• Create a folder on your computer titled “Title of Your Book: Book Trailer.”
• Search online for inspirational images/video clips that represent the setting, main characters, hook, unique items featured in your book, etc.
• Save multiple choices for each image/video clip so you have options once you start to build your trailer.
• If you are a published picture book author, review your contract and check with your publisher on how you can use the illustrations of your book for marketing.

Tip! Please only use free images or images you pay for; you wouldn’t want anyone stealing your book from a bookstore.

Step 2: Select Royalty Free Music

• Now that you’ve selected your images, it’s time to choose music to set the mood. Search online for sites that sell royalty-free music.
• Be sure to check the duration of each and select tracks in the one to two-minute range. I recommend not purchasing it until after you’ve made your trailer in the event you change your mind.
• My favorite place to purchase royalty-free music is Audio Jungle.

Tip! Please do not use copyrighted music, again, you wouldn’t want anyone stealing your book.

Step 3: The Script

Now that you have images and music it’s time to draft a script. I say draft because your script likely will change.

• While listening to your soundtrack for inspiration, look at the images/video clips you selected and start writing down short phrases to go with them.
• This text is going to go over images or video clips, try to keep the phrases short.
• Once you have the phrases, start moving them around on flash cards or a word doc until they tell a story. Your trailer should have a beginning, middle, and an end. Just not THE end.
• The template below will offer some ideas on what types of content you might consider.

Tip! The script may be the hardest part. But you’ve written a novel or picture book and probably a query, a synopsis, a book blurb, and a pitch. You can do this!

Step 4: The Software

• If you’ve never made a video, don’t get nervous—again, you wrote a book! You’re a superstar.
• Multiple video editing software exists, from low-tech to high-tech. Some devices, such as MacBooks, come preloaded with video editing software. PC users can download programs to their devices. Some software users’ access via a website. A quick search through the App store will deliver multiple results you can download to a smart phone or tablet.
• Depending on your operating system (Mac or Windows) and comfort level (low-tech or high-tech) you can find a software that works for you.
• Many video editing software allow free trials so you can test out several. Then once you find one you like you can create your trailer then purchase after.
• My current favorite video editing software is FlexClip, but I also use Canva, Wondershare Filmora, and iMovie. It all depends on the features you want and the look you are going for.

Tip! Some video editing software offer premade templates where you drag and drop images and video clips. I don’t recommend using them. You want your trailer to be as unique as your book.

Step 5: The Process

1. Upload the images/video clips to the software of your choice.
2. Drag and drop them in the order you think makes the most sense. When editing images consider using b/w or sepia to indicate a dark scene, and color to indicate a brighter scene. But be careful not to over-edit or over-use filters. Stick to one or two.
3. Upload your music and drop it underneath the images. Play it while you work for inspiration. Try to place images at beats in the music that capitalize emotion.
4. Add your text on top of the images. I recommend not using long chunks of text. Images with short phrases are more visually appealing. Also, pick an easy-to-read font and use it consistently throughout.
5. Add transitions between images, but don’t get fancy. I recommend images fade into one another.
6. Add a title slide and credits with your contact info. These can be on solid color slides. Adjust the duration of the slide so the reader has time to read it.
7. Revise until you are satisfied. Then purchase the music, and the software if needed, so you can download your video without watermarks.

Tip! A quick internet search for “How to Make a Book Trailer Using XYZ Software” should produce multiple content-creator tutorials.

What to Do After

Now that you’ve made your book trailer, what do you do with it? Share it everywhere!

1. Create a YouTube Channel and upload it. By doing so, you’ll be able to embed the link in emails, on your website, etc. Be sure to also drop your query in the video description.
2. Share the link on your social media accounts. Pin it to Twitter, share on Facebook, IG, TikTok, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and any other social media accounts you have.
3. Add a link to your email signature. You never know who someone you are emailing knows!
4. Share your book trailer in relevant conversations on social media, but don’t be spammy. Your trailer may inspire others to make one or they may know someone who knows someone who wants your book!

TIP! Be sure to tag your publisher and/or agent once you post your trailer to your social media channels. We’d love to support your hard work.

Next is the template I promised. It may not fit all of your book’s needs, but hopefully it will give you a starting point!

Book Trailer Template

Mood of Trailer:________________________________________

_{(sentimental, uplifting, comedic, etc.)}

Title, Author, Publisher, Date of Publication: (Over image or solid background)

The Why? Why This Book Matters: (Over image or solid background) This ties your book to the real world and helps create universal appeal. Not all books will have this, but it helps to connect the reader.

Introduce MC’s Through Setting: Image of each character. Setting can also be established here. List any musts for text.

Stakes: What is at stake for the main character? Or both if dual POV? Images to show this. List any musts for text.

Hinted Ending: Highly emotional ending. One or two-liner. Not giving away the book ending but hinting at it or leave a compelling unanswered question. List any musts for text.

Outtro Slide—Book Cover if you have one. Credits if needed. Quote that represents the mood or theme of your book.

Reviews—Short review phrases. If you have them. You can ask beta readers if you aren’t’ published yet.

Call to action—Where to get book or read manuscript. Relevant contact information.

Outtro Slide—Book Cover if you have one. Credits if needed. Quote that represents the mood or theme of your book.

Call to action—Where to get book or read manuscript. Relevant contact information.

Final Slide – Any helplines hotlines or resources related to your book. Not necessary. But if your book deals with a social issue this may be helpful for readers.

Now this is a basic template, your book, especially for picture books and shorter works, may not fit this template. And that’s okay, but at least you have a starting point!

Here is a link to my YouTube channel where you can watch book trailers I’ve made. Here is also a link to my Mayflower Media website so if you want ME to do the work for you, we can schedule a chat!

Enjoy!

Downloadable Guide