Author Marketing with A Book Preview/Trailer
Borders, BN, and Amazon have invested in putting these previews on their site because they have found the value of these previews as ads for books, which in turns means sales for them. But are they viable?
When you read stats that tell you 80% of books only sell 99 copies or less, you could think to yourself, "Why am I writing this book anyway?" or "What can I do to be part of that elite 20% group?". This article will address both those questions.
I was interviewed by Author and TV/Radio Host Candace House on radio her show, It's Time to Breathe, on April 1st, 2008. During the course of the interview, book previews ("book trailers") came up. She had very good questions regarding them (to hear the entire interview, please visit It's Time To Breathe and look for the interview under "March 31"). From our conversation, I wanted to focus on two of the points.
Question: Why should you write your book when you might not even sell that many copies?
Answer: Your voice is unique and your life experiences can change someone's world. One of Candace's books, Shut the Door, It is Well had a wonderful testimonial. A woman had heard of her book and bought it. She was so depressed, that she was contemplating suicide. After reading the book twice in a row, she no longer wanted to take her life, but was able to shut the door to her past and realize she was made with a purpose. She realized the truth: she is valuable and had something to live for.
It makes no difference if 300,000 authors came on the scene last year. They could all be writing on the same subject and yet every book be different. There are treasures inside of you that only you can share. When you don't, you do the world a disservice. So if you have been contemplating about writing your book, what are you waiting for? There's no time like the present to get going. There are many articles out there that can help you get started. Take advantage of the internet and search out the tools you need to complete that piece of art within you. Only you can create that piece with passion and uniqueness. You have something to share, so get to it already!
Question: Okay, I have a book. How can I sell more than 99 copies?
I'm glad you asked! Author Marketing is key to successful sales. This is true whether you self-publish or are picked up by an agent. Either way, you are responsible to do the marketing for yourself. One of the most inexpensive ways to do it is to use book previews, or what COS Productions coined as book trailers.
A book preview or book trailer is nothing more than a commercial for your book. Before I started my production company, I found that many people weren't taken advantage of this unique marketing tool because of the cost. They can be expensive, running from $2000-$5000+ for a mini-teaser (a 90-second to 2 minute video on your book). I don't find the book cover ones (which you can find for about $250-$300 and are about 30 seconds) very effective, but that's my preference. There is a place where you can get a mini-teaser trailer for about 80% less than market value (only $249), which I will tell you about in a bit.
But what you really want to know is, how can you use them?
Book previews/trailers can be used in many different ways. I'll list some of them for you:
*Secure print and TV media coverage
*Use on VBT's (virtual book tours)
*Web Ads
*Sales videos for major retailers
*Presales material to book buyers
*To use at your local library
*Store video loops
*Book Club promotions
*Burn to DVD for reviewers
*Viral marketing using share video sites and social marketing networks
*Video tape fans at public events and use that to market
*Create one filled with tips from your book
*Use it as a "author's reading" online
I'll give you just three examples of what a good book preview can do for someone else (namely, a potential reader):
In Candace House's preview for Shut the Door, It is Well, an abbreviated testimonial of the suicidal woman was used. Since I directed and produced the trailer, I uploaded the video to over 20 share video sites. From one of my social networking sites, on that same day, I received an email from a friend was contemplating suicide. She logged on, saw my bulletin regarding the video, and began to watch it. Watching the video gave her peace and hope. So much so, she emailed me to ask why I decided to upload it that particular morning. My answer: I was done late last night and was to tired to upload it then! The simple act of completing the trailer touched yet another person's life and gave hope and healing in 2 minutes.
In Brenda Craig's preview for Carvings In His Palms, this Author and Conference speaker emailed me right away to tell me that she watched it herself 16 times in a row! The trailer conveyed the message of the book so perfectly to her, that she could feel peace, hope, and joy overcome her. She was also surprised to learn that after the launch of the trailer, which she also uses at her site, Journals Of The Heart.com, sales were coming through Amazon! I have been getting emails regarding this trailer as well, that people are being soulfully affected positively as they watch it.
In my e-book preview for Addicted to Love, I shared a testimony of a woman who had read the book. She shared how it really helped her, as she had abandonment issues. Two days after the launch of the trailer, I was contacted by someone who was touched by the testimony and the trailer. She has since signed up to see all my future videos.
Although the trailers are a great marketing tool, remember, it's not only about you. We never know what's going to cause someone to buy our book. It could be an ad. Something they read. Even the visuals of a book trailer. Remember, the book preview is only one way to communicate your book's topic and a great way to market you as an author.
So if you are in the market, go ahead and search out who's doing it. Find what's best for your vision and your pocketbook. I go more in detail on my site and well as putting up the latest book previews/trailers at www.acts1614.org . I created my production company after seeing the quality for the price I was willing to pay for one and brought it down to $249, which includes the mini-teaser worth $1499 plus free uploads to more than 20 share video sites, including Google, AOL, YouTube, Facebook, and MySpace. The turn around time is also half as everyone else (3-4 weeks compared to 6-8). But everyone must go with their own conscience and what they feel is best for them.
Take advantage of this great marketing tool, whether you choose my services or not. I truly believe you have a unique voice that needs to be shared. But if no one knows about it, how can their world be touched by you?
Isn't it time you changed the world?
Author, Director, and Producer
Raquel Soto
When you read stats that tell you 80% of books only sell 99 copies or less, you could think to yourself, "Why am I writing this book anyway?" or "What can I do to be part of that elite 20% group?". This article will address both those questions.
I was interviewed by Author and TV/Radio Host Candace House on radio her show, It's Time to Breathe, on April 1st, 2008. During the course of the interview, book previews ("book trailers") came up. She had very good questions regarding them (to hear the entire interview, please visit It's Time To Breathe and look for the interview under "March 31"). From our conversation, I wanted to focus on two of the points.
Question: Why should you write your book when you might not even sell that many copies?
Answer: Your voice is unique and your life experiences can change someone's world. One of Candace's books, Shut the Door, It is Well had a wonderful testimonial. A woman had heard of her book and bought it. She was so depressed, that she was contemplating suicide. After reading the book twice in a row, she no longer wanted to take her life, but was able to shut the door to her past and realize she was made with a purpose. She realized the truth: she is valuable and had something to live for.
It makes no difference if 300,000 authors came on the scene last year. They could all be writing on the same subject and yet every book be different. There are treasures inside of you that only you can share. When you don't, you do the world a disservice. So if you have been contemplating about writing your book, what are you waiting for? There's no time like the present to get going. There are many articles out there that can help you get started. Take advantage of the internet and search out the tools you need to complete that piece of art within you. Only you can create that piece with passion and uniqueness. You have something to share, so get to it already!
Question: Okay, I have a book. How can I sell more than 99 copies?
I'm glad you asked! Author Marketing is key to successful sales. This is true whether you self-publish or are picked up by an agent. Either way, you are responsible to do the marketing for yourself. One of the most inexpensive ways to do it is to use book previews, or what COS Productions coined as book trailers.
A book preview or book trailer is nothing more than a commercial for your book. Before I started my production company, I found that many people weren't taken advantage of this unique marketing tool because of the cost. They can be expensive, running from $2000-$5000+ for a mini-teaser (a 90-second to 2 minute video on your book). I don't find the book cover ones (which you can find for about $250-$300 and are about 30 seconds) very effective, but that's my preference. There is a place where you can get a mini-teaser trailer for about 80% less than market value (only $249), which I will tell you about in a bit.
But what you really want to know is, how can you use them?
Book previews/trailers can be used in many different ways. I'll list some of them for you:
*Secure print and TV media coverage
*Use on VBT's (virtual book tours)
*Web Ads
*Sales videos for major retailers
*Presales material to book buyers
*To use at your local library
*Store video loops
*Book Club promotions
*Burn to DVD for reviewers
*Viral marketing using share video sites and social marketing networks
*Video tape fans at public events and use that to market
*Create one filled with tips from your book
*Use it as a "author's reading" online
I'll give you just three examples of what a good book preview can do for someone else (namely, a potential reader):
In Candace House's preview for Shut the Door, It is Well, an abbreviated testimonial of the suicidal woman was used. Since I directed and produced the trailer, I uploaded the video to over 20 share video sites. From one of my social networking sites, on that same day, I received an email from a friend was contemplating suicide. She logged on, saw my bulletin regarding the video, and began to watch it. Watching the video gave her peace and hope. So much so, she emailed me to ask why I decided to upload it that particular morning. My answer: I was done late last night and was to tired to upload it then! The simple act of completing the trailer touched yet another person's life and gave hope and healing in 2 minutes.
In Brenda Craig's preview for Carvings In His Palms, this Author and Conference speaker emailed me right away to tell me that she watched it herself 16 times in a row! The trailer conveyed the message of the book so perfectly to her, that she could feel peace, hope, and joy overcome her. She was also surprised to learn that after the launch of the trailer, which she also uses at her site, Journals Of The Heart.com, sales were coming through Amazon! I have been getting emails regarding this trailer as well, that people are being soulfully affected positively as they watch it.
In my e-book preview for Addicted to Love, I shared a testimony of a woman who had read the book. She shared how it really helped her, as she had abandonment issues. Two days after the launch of the trailer, I was contacted by someone who was touched by the testimony and the trailer. She has since signed up to see all my future videos.
Although the trailers are a great marketing tool, remember, it's not only about you. We never know what's going to cause someone to buy our book. It could be an ad. Something they read. Even the visuals of a book trailer. Remember, the book preview is only one way to communicate your book's topic and a great way to market you as an author.
So if you are in the market, go ahead and search out who's doing it. Find what's best for your vision and your pocketbook. I go more in detail on my site and well as putting up the latest book previews/trailers at www.acts1614.org . I created my production company after seeing the quality for the price I was willing to pay for one and brought it down to $249, which includes the mini-teaser worth $1499 plus free uploads to more than 20 share video sites, including Google, AOL, YouTube, Facebook, and MySpace. The turn around time is also half as everyone else (3-4 weeks compared to 6-8). But everyone must go with their own conscience and what they feel is best for them.
Take advantage of this great marketing tool, whether you choose my services or not. I truly believe you have a unique voice that needs to be shared. But if no one knows about it, how can their world be touched by you?
Isn't it time you changed the world?
Author, Director, and Producer
Raquel Soto
Hi Raquel! Great blog!
Absolutely book trailers sells books. We're living in a digital world and I am a digital girl!
I love your passion for helping authors. Kudos to you.
The story about the lady that was going to commit suicide was very touching. The fact is, you never know how your words or work might touch someone's life in an unexpected way.
I wish you all the success in the world!
And I love that you're doing Christian book video!!!
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