A book trailer is a teaser or promotional video that highlights the narrative arc of your book. You want to include a few things in your book trailer: Relevant reviews and endorsements that make your work shine! Say, like the New York Times, or a quote from a well-known author.

thirty to ninety seconds
An effective book trailer should be thirty to ninety seconds in length. Viewers may tolerate longer book trailers depending on how and where they are viewing it. For example, people visiting your website may be more likely to watch a longer video than those who see your book trailer linked from Twitter.

Animoto makes it easy to use video to promote your book on social media, your website, your Amazon author page and beyond. In this guide, we’ll show you how to make a book trailer like the one below in a few minutes.

Book trailers can make a lasting impression A trailer offers a greater sensory experience than a typical print ad or online feature to communicate your book’s purpose. Since book trailers are still pretty new and not every book has one, your book has the chance to make a much stronger impression on a potential reader.

How to Make a Book Trailer

1. Have a beginning, middle, and end. Mary says, “Just like a movie trailer, a book trailer needs a story.” Set the stage and introduce characters, introduce a twist, and then let people know where they can buy your book.
2. Be concise.
3. Match the tone of your book.

Here are four steps to getting your book noticed.

1. Publish your book with a professional, compelling cover design and description. It doesn’t matter how many eyeballs you get on your book if the cover turns them off.
2. Create a compelling offer. No, “buy my book” is not a compelling offer.
3. Expand your reach.
4. Advertise.

A book trailer has the potential to be an incredibly successful and valuable addition to your marketing campaign — or it could be a total disaster. It’s a risky marketing strategy, and a good decision depends on a strong cost-benefit analysis well before your book’s launch date.

1. Create a YouTube Video Strategy. Choose the right topic (for the right audience)
2. Make sure your video is found on YouTube.
3. Find YouTube ideas and topics.
4. Understand YouTube equipment for beginners.
5. Learn the first YouTube video you should make.
6. Set up your video recording.
7. Record your desktop.
8. Edit your video.

How to Make a Movie Trailer

1. Organize your trailer using three-act structure.
2. Show the most unforgettable scenes.
3. Use voice-over or text to help tell the story.
4. Choose music that sets the tone.
5. Use editing techniques to control the pace.
6. Highlight the film’s talent.