Okay, first of all, I might not hate your book trailer. I won’t pretend like I have seen every book trailer in the world, but I’ve seen very few that I like.

And yes this includes trailers from authors I love

About books I have read and enjoyed

But book trailers are just so damn ugly and boring. Guess what people, video is a beautiful thing. Stop being boring and plain Jane about it!

 

Book Trailers…The Internet Equivalent To PayDay Loan Adverts

I’m not sure if PayDay Loan companies are a big deal everywhere, but they have grown to scary levels in England. What just about all of them have in common is their TV Commercials. They are awful!

Here’s an example:

 

Unfortunately I find Book Trailers to be the internet equivalent of this. My advice to you is simple…if you can’t do it well, don’t do it at all.

A video can be a great form of communication. It can introduce you to an interactive world. People can hear your voice and see your face. They get to know your characters and understand the plot.

Reading is great, but watching a video can sometimes be better…sometimes

 

Examples of A Bad Book Trailer

First of all, the following trailers have been chosen, to an extent, at random. My views toward their book trailer does not represent my views on their book. 

I know some of these authors, and don’t know others. I’ve haven’t read all of these books. And come the end of play, these are just my opinions. But I’m afraid I don’t like the following Book Trailers:

This is a small selection, but I feel I could link to almost any book trailer without even watching it and it would still fall into the ‘I don’t like you category’

Why? Because I’ve watched few book trailers I like

I find it sad and it’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot. As someone who’s preparing the launch of his debut novel, I’m considering every single promotion opportunity.

Will I use a book trailer? Hmmm, I guess we will see

 

Book Trailers With A Difference

I will talk about this more in the coming months. I want to do a few videos for my Debut Novel, Beyond Parallel, but I will only do so if I feel I can create a video worthy enough.

In other words, not in the same vein that the world is full of. It simply isn’t my style.

Here are some ideas I would like to share with you, though. A few tips and tricks to create a book trailer that won’t suck:

• Read A Chapter…creatively
• Make It About YOU
• Don’t Replicate A Movie Trailer
• Crowd Source…involve your readers

These are just a few ideas, but I suggest you turn to Kickstarter and look at the videos on there. Who says a Book Trailer has to be like everything else? Who says you can’t share the story behind the story?

I personally take a lot more inspiration from videos like this:

The Pen Project from Ian Schon on Vimeo.

And here’s a Book Trailer I DO LIKE

As I say, this is an introductory post, and to be honest, more of a rant than anything else. I have some half-ideas at the moment, but I will hopefully make a few of them reality in the coming months.

Will they be great? I don’t know

Will they suck? Possibly…yes

Will they be like the trailers above? Hell No!

So there you go, that’s why I hate your book trailer, and when I talk to other writers, the opinions are similar. Think about how you can get creative and do a video that will grab some attention and intrigue.

If you can’t do this, don’t do one at all. You don’t have to have a Book Trailer, after all.

What are your thoughts?

Have you created a book trailer that proves me wrong?

Have you discovered an awesome one?

Share it below…

Turndog Millionaire – @turndog_million