These days, if I miss something fun or important that was on TV, I’m like, “I’ll look it up on YouTube.” This popular site has become so ingrained in our culture that it seems to have completely replaced television as a news and entertainment resource. In today’s society of limited attention and quick fixes, one need only visit YouTube to watch a three-minute visual recap of a hit movie, or to catch up on homegrown underground soap operas created and shot by ordinary people over time and the daring With the recent acquisition of YouTube by Google for over a billion dollars, it goes without saying that this site will prove to be a media powerhouse in the future.
Because YouTube is essentially built by registered members contributing their own video content, it should also be noted that authors can take advantage of the site’s popularity and ease of use to increase their own exposure. Recently, I have noticed that authors create “trailers” to advertise their books and use YouTube for distribution. It may take a bit of work to figure out how to do this, but using YouTube to promote your books can drive an effective word-of-mouth campaign that drives readers to your book.
YouTube adds dynamic media to your website. One factor that makes YouTube so popular is the ease with which visitors can share their favorite videos. Send-to-a-friend links allow family and friends to be alerted to a clip to watch, while special HTML EMBED code offered by YouTube allows bloggers and site owners to embed videos on their own pages. Since YouTube hosts the video, there is no unnecessary upload of large files to your site. By hosting a book trailer on YouTube, you allow other users to code and display your videos over the Internet, providing a free creative advertising campaign for your work.
YouTube enhances the message of your book. While you can offer compelling advertising, glowing reviews, and an attractive front page on your site, sometimes readers need more to convince them to make a purchase. Offering a well-designed book trailer for your consideration gives your book the star treatment. The ambient music, catchy visuals, and selling slogans draw the reader into the short clip and make them want to learn more about what he has written. Movie companies have attracted many moviegoers to the theater based on sixty seconds of a movie’s premise. It is effective advertising that drives traffic and increases the number of readers.
There are, of course, caveats to keep in mind when thinking about creating a book trailer. For one thing, major media companies keep a close eye on sites like YouTube, looking for copyrighted material used for illegal purposes. If you are seriously interested in creating a book trailer for promotional purposes, you should ensure that the music clips and images used are in the public domain, purchased through royalty-free databases, or purchased for use with the permission of the copyright holders. . While you may not find it meaningful to wear something for thirty seconds of streaming video, there’s always the risk that someone will catch you and recognize a picture or tune. Before you begin your book preview, make sure all materials are ready to use.
Find materials
For images related to the subject of your book, whether it’s romance or science fiction, a biography or self-help, there are a number of royalty-free photo databases offering thousands of images to represent every emotion and setting you want to capture. . Istockphoto.com is one such resource, where you can buy photos for as little as a dollar. For royalty free music, the aptly named RoyaltyFreeMusic.com can offer the sound you want to accompany your work. If you’re feeling especially daring, you might consider approaching a band for a sample clip. A quick search on MySpace, for example, turns up a good number of musicians who use the Internet to promote their music. A promotional exchange (your credits in your trailer for the use of your music) can be beneficial and can improve word of mouth on your trailer as the band announces where to find their music.
make the video
If you own a PC, you will most likely find that it is equipped with a program called Windows Movie Maker. This nifty tool allows you to combine photos and streaming audio, and add titles and taglines to the frames that make up your video. Taking the time to explore similar frame transitions and options (including star sweeps and side sweeps)
and visual effects (fade in and out apps, sepia tones) will allow you to create a unique look for your story. Start with an attention-grabbing tagline, continue with images related to your story, add photo taglines where appropriate, and end with a shot of your book cover and information on your website and where to buy the book. Scrolling the end titles completes the trailer and before you know it, you have a clip to add to YouTube!
Most book trailers can be between thirty seconds and two minutes long. You don’t want trailers to be too long. For one thing, the longer a clip is, the more memory it takes up and the longer it can take to load. A viewer who has to wait too long will eventually get frustrated and go to another clip. You want to ensure that your book trailer is recorded with a length that will allow computer users of all Internet speeds to enjoy. Also, you don’t want to give too much information in your trailer. Provide relevant information and entice the reader to learn more at the point of sale.
As an interactive marketing tool, Book Trailers Made for YouTube are a creative and affordable way to spread the word about your book. Include the trailer on your website and the URL in your email signature and show readers exactly what they’re missing out on unless they buy your book.