Comments on: Publishing Monday: Book trailers – effective or just fun?

By: Sibylla

Sibylla — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 20:12:44 +0000

I like the idea of book trailers but rarely do I see any. I think in order for them to be effective, not only do they need to go viral but they need to be placed on sites that aren’t necessarily book sites. I’m an avid reader but I’m not searching book sites all the time. If they’re advertised on blogs/sites with similar subject matter, I think it would get the word out more and reach a wider audience.

By: kriswaldherr

kriswaldherr — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:17:16 +0000

Thanks, Sheila, for your comment! Great information. I like what you wrote about strategy and perseverance — so true. Also, a publicist mentioned to me that author websites and videos and such should be pitched/accessible toward new fans as well as established followers. Otherwise you’re just preaching to the choir.

That’s interesting what you wrote about the difficulties quantifying book sales as a result of book videos. I’ve heard that from other quarters as well.

Ultimately, even the best video is all for naught unless the book is a great read. I do wonder, though, if a bad video can do a good book harm by turning off potential new readers.

Thanks, Jane, for your kind words. I know I have a lot to learn in making videos, but the process is fun. I love that I can make one in a few days. So different from a book, which can take years!

By: Jane Kennedy Sutton

Jane Kennedy Sutton — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:16:48 +0000

Really enjoyed the Good Queen book teaser. I Think you did an excellent job.

Jane Kennedy Sutton
http://janekennedysutton.blogspot.com/

By: Sheila Clover English

Sheila Clover English — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 02:27:31 +0000

Book videos are indeed effective, when you predetermine the goal of the video and stay on task to obtaining that goal.

Everyone wants to sell books. But, book videos is not the most effective way to bring in sales. It happens, but not as effective as some other forms of advertising.

Book videos are about reach, brand, name recognition, media awareness and other specific goals. Selling is actually a byproduct.

There’s no “quick fix marketing”. It’s all strategy and perseverance. Some videos, such as Christine Feehan’s video for Turbulent Sea, can take on a life of their own and bring in hundreds of thousands of views. But, what was more important than the views themselves or even the residual sales, was WHO took interest in the author’s books because of the video.

Authors should not be creating video just to let their established fans have a new way to see that the book is coming or out. Book video should be bringing in NEW readers to your website or bringing a new awareness to your name, series or book.

And of course nothing is better than a book that is well written. Even the best video can’t sell a book that’s not good. It may sell well at the beginning, but word of mouth will kill sales if the word is that the book is terrible.

Great blog! Thank you for allowing me to participate!