Support for Indie Authors discussion

I took a stab at creating a book trailer. I had no clue how to do it so I used powerpoint since I'm familiar with it. I was hoping to get some opinions. Is it okay? Not too amateur-hour? Do I need more images or is it too long?

https://youtu.be/LimtpEGcHSE

I was more drawn in by the macabre images toward the end than the headshots of the characters. You might want to consider some more of those.
You did that on powerpoint? It looks as good as anything else I've ever seen. Good job.

Thanks. Yes, I used powerpoint. I was already familiar with it so I figured it was easier than trying to learn something else. The learning curve for self publishing is steep enough!

The only thing I would say is be very careful using images of celebrities in something you plan to use to promote. Not just the photographer, but the star can come after you if they really get a hair up their bum. So be careful with that.
Other than that, I felt it was engaging and well thought out. Overall a nice trailer.

Thanks Riley. I'm hoping I'm small peanuts enough not too worry about the celebs coming after me, but I used the pics in moderation and made sure I put photo credits.

I watched this just now and personally I did find it a little on the long side.

I was doing some research for possibly making my own book trailer, and I found that they should be about 30-45 seconds long, maybe up to a minute at most. Just like a movie trailer. Get us interested, tell us a snip of the plot and focus on that.

The beginning, with the date ending up 'dead' for example - would probably be enough for the entire trailer. It is a hook, it is a good hook, and we only need one hook. A witch has a date show up dead - that is an amazing hook, so just focus on that!

Hook idea -> Hook question -> buy it here. Just like a commercial!

Good luck Lisa, tell us when there is a new one out! (I am suddenly all excited for trailers now, thanks!)

Lisa wrote: "Thanks Riley. I'm hoping I'm small peanuts enough not too worry about the celebs coming after me, but I used the pics in moderation and made sure I put photo credits."

Small peanuts or not - just skip the hassle and don't use them. It was actually sort of strange seeing famous people in there, to be honest. Find a good stock photo of a witchy woman that hasn't been downloaded thousands of times, and go with it full tilt!

I thought it was a great trailer for a first one! I love the transitions and the dialogue. Maybe it was a little too long, as someone else mentioned. I did one for the first time a few weeks ago, and mine is not as engaging as yours. I chose to read a few paragraphs instead of having music in the background. I was going for a different feel for mine, though. Practice makes perfect! Trailers are really in now, so keep going :D

Kathy wrote: "I thought it was a great trailer for a first one! I love the transitions and the dialogue. Maybe it was a little too long, as someone else mentioned. I did one for the first time a few weeks ago, a..."

Thanks Kathy. If I do one for my second book I would definitely make the transitions a little quicker and make it a little shorter. It was kind of fun to have so I will probably try it again.

I don't have anything new to add, but will say: No on the celebs and yes, a little long.

However, for a trailer made in Powerpoint, it looks fantastic.