Question 1

What is a book trailer and why do I need one?

Accepted Answer

A book trailer is a 30 to 90 second promotional video that creates emotional excitement around your book and drives pre orders or first week purchases. Like a movie trailer it sets tone and curiosity without giving away the plot. They are particularly effective on BookTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube, and Facebook where video gets prioritized by every algorithm.

Question 2

What styles of book trailer do you produce?

Accepted Answer

Cinematic (filmed footage with actors and locations), animated (motion graphics or 2D illustration), slideshow (kinetic typography over book imagery and music), and live action (author interview style). Cinematic and animated have the highest production cost and conversion. Slideshow is fastest and works well for nonfiction.

Question 3

How long should a book trailer be?

Accepted Answer

Sweet spot is 30 to 60 seconds for social platforms. TikTok and Instagram Reels prefer 15 to 30 seconds. YouTube tolerates up to 90 seconds before viewer drop off. We typically deliver multiple cuts: a 15 second hook, a 30 second standard, and a 60 second extended version, all sized for vertical, square, and horizontal placement.

Question 4

Where will the trailer be delivered?

Accepted Answer

Vertical (9:16) for TikTok, Reels, and YouTube Shorts. Square (1:1) for Instagram feed and Facebook. Horizontal (16:9) for YouTube and Twitter. Plus a high quality master and a stripped back 45 second cut formatted for Amazon Sponsored Brands video ads.

Question 5

How much does a book trailer cost?

Accepted Answer

Slideshow trailers run 800 to 2,000 dollars. Animated trailers run 2,500 to 6,500 dollars. Cinematic trailers with shoot logistics run 5,000 to 15,000 dollars. Most indie authors get the best return from animated or upgraded slideshow at the 1,500 to 3,500 dollar range.

Question 6

Can I use the trailer in Amazon ads?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Amazon Sponsored Brands video ads accept trailers under 45 seconds with specific aspect ratio and content guidelines (no clickbait, no misleading claims, no trademarked content). We always deliver an Amazon spec cut as part of the package, optimized to convert within the 45 second limit and the Amazon creative guidelines.

Question 7

How long does a trailer take to produce?

Accepted Answer

Standard slideshow trailers: 2 to 3 weeks. Animated trailers: 3 to 5 weeks. Cinematic trailers: 5 to 8 weeks depending on shoot logistics. Most projects use one round of revision before final delivery. Live action shoots add timeline based on talent availability and location scouting.

Question 8

Do I own the trailer and can I use it anywhere?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You own 100 percent of the final video and all source assets. Music licenses are included for all major social platforms (YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, paid ads). For broadcast television or theatrical use, music licenses need a separate sync license, which we can broker but is rarely needed for indie book marketing.

Book Trailer Video Production