Continuing our talk about choosing images for your book trailer let's focus on color choices and your 'hook'. When you write that first paragraph in your novel your aim is to hook the reader to keep reading. When you write the query letter to agents your goal is to keep the agent reading. Book trailers are no different. Instead of writing you will be 'showing' the potential reader your book with the goal of enticing them to know more and ultimately buy your book. To do this you will need to follow a few simple guidelines concerning which images you use.
First let's focus on color.
Your first image is perhaps the most important. It must capture the interest of the viewer. Choose something that is intriguing, beautiful, or catchy.
Second, let's focus on 'flow'.
The images following should stay within the same color family. What? You ask. I'm no color expert! How do I know? Well, it's simple. Your colors from picture to picture should blend, not match perfectly. Don't go from bright cheerful colors, regardless of the image, to dark moody colors. It interrupts the flow of the trailer. Keep the images coherent and flowing. I chose an accent color of red based on darker images. If your novel is light and cheery choose images accordingly. The goal is to have them flow together nicely. A key point to remember is, if you are drawn to them, chances are the viewer will be, too.
And finally,
Remember the rules of writing and apply them to your book trailer. You wouldn't start your novel with a description of the landscape, or the weather, so don't start your book trailer with images of those things either.
Happy image hunting and movie making!
Please note, I am not an expert. My advice is based solely on my own mistakes and successes. Ultimately it is up to you to decide what you like. And that's okay, it is YOUR novel.
(If you've already made your trailer please post a link in the comments section. I would love to see how yours turned out.)
Excellent points TK. I know there's been lots of talk of trailers lately too. Good timing and good advice.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lisa, I'm just taking what I've learned and passing it along. That's what I admire about the writing community. People are so helpful. Makes me proud to be a part of that. :)
ReplyDeleteGood advice, TK! I've had some thoughts swirling around in my brain, but nothing concrete yet.
ReplyDeleteJemi, every good idea starts with a swirl. Much of my writing is a result of that. I hope this information helps. It is by no means perfect. I just wanted to help others as they have helped me. :)
ReplyDeleteGood advice. I'm going to have to remember this post so I can refer back if I ever make a trailer. I so want to!!!
ReplyDeleteJean, go ahead and try one for fun! Even if you don't post it anywhere you'll know how to do it and have a blast at the same time! :)
ReplyDeleteBook trailers are becoming an increasingly attractive method of marketing one's novel. But it's also a risk: an obvious mistake or lack of professionalism will probably send potential readers scurrying in the other direction.
ReplyDeleteThese tips should help prevent that. I am definitely planning on developing at least one book trailer when my novel nears completion—people just seem to accept watching a one minute video more willingly than reading a one minute synopsis!
Knowlton, I agree completely. I have seen many book trailers that fail to grasp the reader. Poor quality, too long, weather scenes, poor picture choices, mini movie type synopses etc. ultimately lose people instead of gaining their interest. It is my hope that these tips do help avoid that.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, some people are more willing to watch a one minute book trailer than read a one minute synopsis-- but not all people. So book trailers may reach a new audience, too.
I believe the point is to present the novel in the best possible way, and in as many different formats as possible.
(I know my trailer still needs some fine tuning, before I advertise it any further, as well.)
Another fine point you bring up is professionalism. You want the trailer to reflect the novel's writing, plot, and value to the reader. Keeping all of these points in mind is vital to its success.
It will be interesting to see how book trailers evolve over the next few years. Will traditional print publishers create trailers for major authors as a standard step in the process and market the video all over the web?
ReplyDeleteIt could keep a dying industry along for that much longer.
It certainly will be interesting to see how they evolve over time. As with anything, they can only get better.
ReplyDeleteAnd as far as publishers, who knows? For now, though, it's up to the author to promote their work.
At least book trailers are fun to make, and another creative outlet. :)