book trailer -- does anyone have one?

[EccentricKim]

Does anyone here have a book trailer? Can I see it?

I have a friend putting one together for me, I picked out all the pictures and the music. But I bought the song off iTunes and he needs it in a different format, and I don't know if I can get it that way unless I buy the CD (or find my wife's mp3 player.)

I really think I have everything I need for my trailer, but I just want to see others!

[Oldtimer]

Jai Joshi created a very effective book trailer for her self-published book: Follow the Cowherd Boy. Jai used to be very active on the WD Forum but sadly we haven't seen anything of her for months or even a year or more. She might still be running her blog. If you Google her and manage to get in touch, tell her please that Dorothy sends best wishes.

[EccentricKim]

OK. I think I'm still following her blog. I'll have to see if she's around!

[jaijoshi]

Thanks for the mention, Dorothy!

Kim, just in case you haven't seen it this is the link to my book trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0n5dlGP ... ature=plcp

The thing about book trailers is that, when done right, they can build real interest in a book and motivate people to find out more about it if it doesn't motivate them to read it outright. I don't think an author should stop there though. I think videos and vlogging is a great way to promote our work.

My channel on youtube is called jaionvideo and I have other videos on there of me also. I post my vlogs on my blog too which is where most people see my videos, it's a good way to connect with readers and build an audience.

Jai

[Linton Robinson]

It's important to realize that you can't just buy a song and use it without having the rights.
There are ways to get music free and legal, but you have to be aware of the situation.

Here are a couple of situations:
This is the video for my book "Mexican Slang 101". Over 30,000 views on Yahoo until they messed up, not over 30,000 on YouTube. Very viral item.
It has copyrighted songs in it, but there are permissions in place, allowing the rights holders to place ads on the bottom of the video. Note the little "buy on eMusic" button below it. No problemo.
http://youtu.be/GA0BJX7kPTw

Here's a new one for "Way of the Weekend Warrior" using generic military music in the public domain. Very legal.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnPqTU3y ... AtjOa4mdLA

This one for "Imaginary Lines" uses "Royalty Free" music I purchased from a service. There are lots of places to buy music that you can legally use. Prices vary wildly.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JO7DxOXs ... AtjOa4mdLA

This one for "Engines of Desire" uses music by my friend Duane Pesice, with whom I've done several videos.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1OkJF0D ... AtjOa4mdLA

A note on that: it's good to have buddies who are musicians. And original music is actually better for your book than some pop chart single. But you can find people who do music bu searching music sites. And will probably find them delighted to provide a tune for the credit. It's fun for them to have a video of their music.
Let me show you this one for a poem from my as yet unpublished collection "The Great Man". The idea here was that the video is a promo for the artist, Will Jacques, the musician (Duane again) and myself. Something to keep in mind.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_BLTqJ7 ... AtjOa4mdLA

Another thing to keep in mind-- a major advantage in doing your own video is being creative, not making it look like all those other damned slideshows.

Lastly, here's another approach, the soundtrack for this one for one of my authors was generated by a program that generates music. Much sounds lame, if you mess with it you might get something that works for you.
I let the title of this one be a surprise.
http://youtu.be/wB_v_HgzO5Y

I have some stuff on music and sound tracks, with lists of sources in my ebook manual on the subject.
http://adorobooks.com/works/tutvideo.php
That demo video on that page, by the way, has more generated music tracks on it, show a little variety.


http://youtu.be/wB_v_HgzO5Y

[EccentricKim]

I haven't been here for a while... I'll check our your trailer jai!

I do have a "buy here" link on my video (or at least I did last time I checked.) But the friend who put this together for me is also in a band, so my next book trailer is going to feature his music!

I need to get started on that!

[pls]

I haven't been here for a while... I'll check our your trailer jai!

I do have a "buy here" link on my video (or at least I did last time I checked.) But the friend who put this together for me is also in a band, so my next book trailer is going to feature his music!

I need to get started on that!

Now that's a great idea - assuming that he has written the music - mutual promotion for each others' works!

I wonder if I built up the callouses on my left hand's fingers I could set up a web camera and play "Puff the Magic Dragon" on my guitar again for a trailer?

Na-a-ah! And the original Christmas carol I wrote years ago and actually had performed by several school choirs probably wouldn't be appropriate for any of my novels.

Okay, looks as if I won't be doing a trailer for a while! Good luck with yours, Kim.