That was one of the audience questions during my "Promoting Like a Pro" panel at VaBook last Saturday. Panelist Kelly Powers of Obie Joe Media answered that there's no way of knowing whether a book trailer leads to sales, but if you have the time and money to produce a GOOD one, it certainly won't hurt. I agreed, as did the other panelist, publicist Lauren Cerand.
However, I'm wondering whether the big-bucks trailer for ON CHESIL BEACH, which was unveiled with great fanfare at last year's BookExpo, did much for the book--or author Ian McEwan. The film was supposed to replace McEwan (who could have used some performance coaching) on book tour. My inner Dr. Phil wonders, "How's that working for you?" I'm guessing not very well, as I haven't seen much--if anything--about other authors following suit.
On the other hand, I'm sure the animated "Who Let the Jews Out?" video for Sam Apple's SCHLEPPING THROUGH THE ALPS boosted sales.
And now my consulting client Sherry Thomas has produced this delightful trailer for her new romance, PRIVATE ARRANGEMENTS. I'd be shocked if it didn't move some books:
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5 comments:
I rarely read romance, but that trailer was brilliant.
Those trailers are great. I made our 14 yr old son watch them because he's a whiz at making films, and his services will hopefully come in handy some day.
Love your blog Bella, wish I had discovered it a long time ago.
Thanks, Polly! Better late than never, and you can always fritter away your valuable time scrolling through my archives.
This is only tangentially related, but I went to college with the guy who animated "Who Let The Jews Out." He's a brilliant artist and has his own weekly online cartoon that's hilarious in its own right.
Check it out here: The Meth Minute 39
Well, I'm just the most ridiculous fan of any book trailer produced by Chip Kidd.
Book trailers seem to be of two kinds: promotes the author's personality, and only tangetially mentions the book's plot. The other type is like Private Arrangements, and a lovely way to whet a reader's appetite.
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