Read two articles
"The Author Takes a Star Turn"--Pamela Paul
Authors have a new role in promoting their book through book trailers. Once famous for just writing books, not being photogenic actors, authors today have mixed success on screen. Some do it well, bringing their own personae to their readers; some don't. But even getting thousands of hits on YouTube won't guarantee huge book sales.
Older readers don't depend much on book trailers, but the younger generation does--up to 46 percent watching online trailers, and 45 percent then actually buying highlighted books!
"Super Sad Book Trailers: the Conundrum of Online Book Advertisements--and Why They Usually Fail" -- Nina Metz
"Most book trailers are terrible." True.
"Book trailers are made on the cheap--and they look it." True.
"And good luck finding them...." True.
A thoughtful summary of book trailer history, and suggestions to make them better. (A possible new term--"bideo" is a bit much.)
And she notes, with examples, that a great book trailer may or may not actually increase book sales.
She lists conflicting ideas that have worked--
Thomas Pynchon's voice reading passages from his book (perhaps only effective because of his reclusive voice).
Robin Sloan just standing up, recommending books that he's read and found wonderful. He suggests other celebrities would be successful doing the same thing (but they would have to have honest, charismatic enthusiasm!)
Filmmaker Nick Davis who disagrees, insisting on making "wow" videos that go viral, spending more money to make attractive moving book jackets.
It will be interesting to see how book trailers fare in the future.
No comments:
Post a Comment