Book trailers are the latest wave in the book marketing world. While they’re not common, they’re becoming more prevalent on YouTube and other video platforms. If you’re intrigued by the idea but not sure of your ability to create videos, help is available. Artificial intelligence (AI) tools can help you shoot, edit, and release professional-looking, AI-powered book trailers.
What Are Book Trailers?
Like a movie trailer, a book trailer is a short video that makes you say, “I want to see (or read) that!” It tells the viewers a little bit about the story. It creates suspense and a desire to know more without giving away the ending.
A well-done trailer sets up the main plot, characters, and theme. It also makes it clear whether the book is scary, funny, mysterious, or romantic.
Enjoyable book trailers reflect the mood and rules of their genres. Genre readers have certain expectations for their favorite book type, and your book trailer must speak to those expectations.
Why You Should Consider Book Trailers
Why should you consider making book trailers? One good reason is that this market for viewers isn’t oversaturated yet. There are only a few authors using book trailers. Second, it’s a fun experience that will teach you useful skills.
Because videos are costly and time-consuming to make, some early book trailers look amateurish. With AI tools, however, it has become easier for anyone to create a professional-looking trailer.
Draw Them In with AI-Powered Book Trailers
You have probably watched a movie trailer that made you say, “I’ve got to see that!” Usually, the trailer presents an impressive, engaging character paired with an original, striking premise. These trailers work because they pose a situation that makes you want to know the ending. Will the detective find the killer? Will the girl win the guy? Will the people locked in the castle escape?
Movie trailers work because they know what viewers want to see. Similarly, a well-done book trailer draws a reader in and makes them want to know more.
Some book trailers are like movie trailers. They have actors, scripts, and soundtracks. Others invoke the mood of the book without specific reference to the plot. Some are straightforward advertisements that invite you to try the book. With AI-generated book trailers, you can create the right trailer for your title.
Keys to a Good Book Trailer
- Intrigue: Your video needs a hook. This should be the main premise that lets people know instantly what type of book it is. Use dialogue or plot snippets to show its mood and tone.
- Aim: Aim your video at the type of reader you want to engage. Make sure your video includes the elements that the reader wants. Pitch a children’s book with topics and colors that appeal to children. Use favorite tropes for genre readers. Make it clear who your book is for.
- Visuals: Add graphics and images that reflect the book’s theme. Add a shot of the book’s cover at the end or beginning. Create or find images that are like the ones in your book. For a children’s book, showcase the art, which is what sells most children’s books.
- Ability: For a nonfiction book, sell your expertise on the subject. Explain what problem your book addresses, how you’re qualified to offer a solution, and why the reader needs to read the book to learn more.
Tips for Creating AI-Powered Book Trailers
Once you have an idea for a trailer, use AI to cut the time necessary to script, shoot, and edit your video. Once you begin to work with AI-powered book trailers, you’ll discover even more ways they can save you time and money. Once you start using these tools, you’ll find they can also help you in metatagging, analyzing audience response, and other marketing efforts.
Use AI in Pre-Production
- Draft the story: An AI writing tool can help you draft the story you’re telling in your video. Book trailer videos are short, and you want to tell a gripping tale in under a minute. Use your book’s plot to develop a quick introduction that will make readers want to know more.
- Scout your location: AI tools can find the best location for your shoot. You’ll need information about lighting at various times of day, environmental conditions, and the weather on your shooting day. Use AI to choose the best shooting day.
- Plan your shots: This can be the most time-consuming part of any video shoot. Most video shoots end up with a lot of material, but that material will need hours of editing later. With AI, you can create a shooting plan that will save you time during and after your shoot.
Use AI On the Set
- Adjust on the fly: AI can also help you during shooting. Camera technology is extremely advanced today. With modern tools, you can change the focus, adjust exposure, and change your framing while you’re shooting. Producing a beautifully shot video still requires talent and skill, but AI makes it easier.
- Employ drones: Use AI-powered drones to create sweeping landscape views. You can program drones to follow the action or keep steady shots. If you’re shooting a video with lots of action sequences, the drones can keep you in focus.
- Special effects: Do you want to add digital elements? This requires some technical knowledge, but it is easier than it once was with AR (augmented reality) and composite graphics interfaces (CGI). These now work seamlessly with video shooting. Again, there is a bit of a learning curve to these elements, but they’re great for enhancing your videos.
AI in Post-Production
Content creators say editing is the most tedious, time-consuming part of creating videos. When you make AI-powered book trailers, you can save time and make the process smoother.
- Automated editing: Save time when you’re sifting through hours of footage to find the best shots. AI tools can cut out-of-focus shots, recognize actors’ faces, and ensure you save only the best footage.
- Color correction: Use AI to match color profiles for a consistent look. This saves hours adjusting the color in post-production.
- Sound editing: Remove background noise, enhance ambient sounds, and adjust sound levels with the help of AI algorithms. You can also use voice recognition software to create subtitles, transcripts, and closed captioning.
- Automate transitions: Transitions from one scene to another are tricky. If they’re not done properly, a video can look clunky and amateurish. By employing the right AI software, you’ll create smooth transitions, apply filters, use special effects, and ensure that your video looks seamless and natural.
Software Tools for AI-Powered Book Trailers
If that all sounds good, you may be ready to start. Here are some tools you can use to get started on your book trailer.
- Descript: This tool allows you to edit your text and at once apply those edits to your footage. If you can edit the written transcript, you can edit the video.
- Submagic AI: Designed especially for short videos, this tool allows non-experts to quickly edit videos.
- CapCut: Get color correction, relighting, and other visual enhancements from an automatic editor.
- Microsoft Bing Video Creator: Free from Microsoft, this tool lets you create videos based on your idea.
- Runway ML: This tool helps you generate videos from text-based ideas.
- AutoCut: An Adobe plug-in, this tool is popular with podcasters because it automates voice and audio editing.
AI-Powered Book Trailers Can Boost Your Marketing Efforts
Shooting a book trailer is a fun, creative project. It can enhance your book marketing and teach you useful skills. With AI-powered tools, it’s easier than ever to create professional-looking trailers. At Dazzle Printing, we support independent writers with our affordable rates and outstanding customer service.
