Do you watch movie trailers? I don’t think I’ve ever watched a movie in my adult life without first seeing the trailer. I’m big on first impressions, and movie trailers are my go-to before I ever buy a ticket at the box office or stream it at home.
Whether it’s a movie or book trailer, these mini synopses offer a snapshot of the story and characters, helping me to decide if it is worth an hour and a half to three hours of my valuable time.
Let’s take a look at how to make a book trailer that helps you sell more books.
Let’s learn:
What is a book trailer?
Just like a movie trailer that highlights some of the best parts of the movie to pull you in, a book trailer teases the book to pique a reader’s interest. They are short, often cinematic-style videos that last 30-90 seconds. Book trailers work for fiction, nonfiction, and all genres. Consider them a snapshot of what your reader can expect when they read your book.
What to consider before starting
Before you begin, take some time to research what’s out there. Unlike the big box movie trailers that are actual snippets of the movie, book trailers are built from scratch, with your imagination leading the “cinematic” experience.
You can use something as simple as an image of your book on a nice background with a voice-over or a scripted trailer with actors, sets, and a director. It’s up to you and your budget for how elaborate you’d like your trailer to be. Just make sure it looks great for what you can afford, and it makes sense to the viewer.
How to make a book trailer
Before you dive into the deep end of book-trailer making, review the following steps to make sure you have everything you need.
- Start with a hook. A hook is the thing you use to grab the reader’s attention. Consider the emotional conflict or high stakes of your book. What is it about your book that will keep your reader turning the pages? What does the protagonist want? What obstacles are getting in the way of them achieving their goal?
- Write a script. A script is an outline of the trailer from start to finish. It should be short, 150-ish words with punchy lines that create an atmosphere around your story. Every genre is different. For example, a thriller often includes tense music and a cliff hanger, while fantasies often have a dramatic score in the background and a bit of magic sprinkled in to keep things interesting. Your script should end with “Preorder today,” or “Available now.”
- Create a storyboard. A storyboard is a visual shorthand that offers a snapshot of each scene and transition in the script, including:
- Opening image
- Rising tension
- Climax
- Final screenshot
- Gather your assets. Depending on the type of trailer you create, you’ll definitely want to include a hi-res photo of your book’s 3D image, royalty-free music, and images. Optionally, you can use a voiceover actor and include an author photo.
If you’re taking a more cinematic approach with an actor or actors, consider location, props, and artistic direction. You’ll also want to ensure you have the right camera and equipment. - Edit, edit, edit! As with books, editing can be the difference between a trailer that grabs the attention of your viewer and one that puts them to sleep. Don’t put your viewer to sleep. 🙂
- Get feedback. Have beta viewers (like beta readers) take a look at your trailer to give you feedback. Ask the following questions:
- What is your first impression of the trailer?
- Did it make the book sound interesting?
- How do you feel after viewing the trailer? Inspired, confused, excited?
- Was the genre of the book clear?
- Do you know what the book is about after viewing it?
- Do you consider the trailer high-quality?
- Was anything distracting?
- Did you see the author’s name, the book’s title, and where to buy it?
- Is there anything that you would change or improve?
Platforms for creating trailers
Adobe Premiere Pro. Professional editing software that offers cinematic quality.
Animoto. Slideshow-style end products with a drag-and-drop interface.
Book Brush. Offers custom trailer services, templates, and mockups.
Canva Pro. Animated trailers with text overlays.
FlexClip. A web-based editor with templates, AI tools, and stock assets.
Genre trailer differences
Book trailers should not be a cookie-cutter experience for viewers. The ultimate goal when designing a book trailer should be to move your viewers to take an action, like buy your book or at least get more information about it. For this reason, it’s important to have a solid understanding of the differences between genres and audience expectations. In the same way readers expect genres to read a certain way, they will also expect the same genre specificity from a book trailer.
Here are some genre differences to consider and examples before creating your own.
| Genre | Color Palette | Typography Style | Imagery | Composition & Layout | Key Elements |
| Romance | Soft pastels; warm pinks, reds | Elegant scripts & serifs | Couples; floral motifs; hearts | Central focal image; ample white/negative space | Hero image, tagline, author name prominence |
| Thriller / Mystery | Dark tones; high-contrast (black, red) | Bold sans-serif or condensed | Silhouettes; shadows; broken objects | Tight crops; off-center titles; intrigue cues | Blood splatter, fog, mysterious symbols |
| Fantasy / Epic | Jewel tones; metallic accents | Decorative serifs; ornaments | Mythical creatures; landscapes; swords | Layered depth; horizon lines; ornate borders | World map cues, emblems, mystical glow |
| Science Fiction | Cool blues, purples; neon accents | Futuristic geometric fonts | Spaceships; planets; tech overlays | Symmetrical grids; circuit/logo motifs | Star fields, HUD elements, minimal embellish. |
| Horror | Muted or sickly greens; blood reds | Distressed serifs; hand-drawn | Abandoned buildings; ghoulish figures | Uneven alignment; extreme close-ups | Drips, cracks, eerie textures |
| Literary Fiction | Muted neutrals; deep blues, greys | Classic serifs; minimal | Abstract art; subtle patterns; portraits | Clean lines; generous margins | Single symbol, textured backgrounds |
| Memoir / Biography | Warm neutrals; accent color | Readable serifs; tasteful | Author photograph; personal objects | Portrait or object on one side; clear titles | Subtitle call-out, endorsement snippet |
| Self-Help / Business | Bright, optimistic hues (teal, yellow) | Clean sans-serif; bold | Illustrations; icons; upward arrows | Grid-based; icon-text balance | Call-out badges, testimonial blurbs |
| Young Adult | Vibrant primaries; gradient blends | Playful serifs or sans-serif | Characters in action; stylized symbols | Diagonal lines; dynamic framing | Age rating, series logo, spotlight effect |
Thrillers
When you think of a thriller, what comes to mind? Excitement, intrigue? Thriller genre book trailers should be fast-paced and suspenseful. Music should build tension and give viewers a feeling of “What’s going to happen next?” Thriller trailers often include a cliffhanger, and if you use a voice-over, it should be an authoritative one that moves the story along.
49 Miles Alone by Natalie D. Richards
Romance
Romance book trailers can have a soft, “feather-like” feel or a sense of longing. They are an emotional experience with warm tones and a slower pace compared to other trailers. Music should wrap around the viewer, and voice-overs should tug at the listener’s heartstrings.
Seabreeze Shores by Jan Moran
Fantasy
Fantasy book trailers pull readers into a world of epic and immersive adventures. Think magic, fanciful creatures, and visuals that push the boundaries of the imagination. A dramatic musical score is only fitting for a fantasy’s epic adventure.
The Sword’s Choice by I.M. Redwright
Children’s
It’s no surprise that children’s book trailers are all about fun (usually). They are fanciful, colorful, and light-hearted, usually with a bit of comedy thrown in for giggles. Just like children’s books, the trailer should be focused on a specific age demographic. They usually include thoughtful animation, upbeat music, and simple text.
Bug Scouts by Matt Lowery
Dos and don’ts of making a book trailer
While the temptation might be to grab a free template, slap a few images on it, and an AI voiceover, remember that viewers are smart. They can tell when you’ve taken the time to consider their needs and what would connect with them, versus taking the easy road. Take some time to go look up some book trailers on platforms like YouTube and compare the quality. Which ones keep you engaged? Which ones cause an involuntary eye roll? The second one is the one that you don’t want, so take the time to consider what can make or break your trailer.
✅ Dos
- Keep it short (under 90 seconds). Attention spans are still short. 🙂
- Use high-quality visuals and audio.
- Include a clear call to action (e.g., “Preorder Now”).
- Match tone to genre.
- Test with fresh eyes to make sure your trailer connects with viewers.
❌ Don’ts
- Don’t summarize the entire plot. Then there’s no need to buy the book.
- Don’t use copyrighted music or images.
- Don’t show character faces (unless animated or stylized).
- Don’t rely solely on text slides. They’ll get the words in your book. Give them visuals!
- Don’t forget to include your book cover and title.
Why you need a book trailer
Are you on the fence about creating a book trailer? Don’t be. Book trailers are not currently flooding the market like other forms of marketing, so now is a great time to put yourself out there when it’s easier for your trailer to get seen.
Visual storytelling sells and is the most consumed type of content online. According to SproutSocial, “Short-form video delivers the highest ROI compared to other marketing trends and will secure more investment in 2025 than any other format.”
What does the popularity of online videos mean for you as an author? A few things:
- Increased visibility, since trailers can be shared on multiple platforms, including social media.
- Deeper connections. Videos engage additional senses like sight and sound.
- Enhance your reputation. A professional book trailer can boost your brand’s perception.
- Marketing boost. Trailers help to get readers excited about your book, especially during preorders and launches.
Don’t sit on this one. You’re a writer. Creativity is one of your gifts. Who knows? Making a trailer could be one of your hidden superpowers waiting to be uncovered. Give your readers something visual to get them excited about your writing and the stories you tell. There’s no such thing as too much marketing in self-publishing, especially when you do it the right way.
