Our Book Video Trailer Process — What to Expect
A friendly walk-through of how we produce your book trailer: script + storyboard, voiceover and music selection, motion design and stock footage choices, platform-specific aspect ratios (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Amazon), and exactly what's included at each tier.
A book trailer is a 30–90 second sales pitch for your novel — and the rules are completely different from a film trailer. You're not enticing someone to watch a movie; you're enticing someone to read 60,000 words. The trailer that converts is genre-coded, fast-paced, ends with a clear cover reveal and call-to-action, and works just as well silent (most social-media views happen with sound off). This page walks you through how we plan, script, score, and edit trailers that actually drive book sales rather than just collecting views.
1Before You Order: Where Will You Use This?
Different platforms reward different formats. Instagram Reels and TikTok demand 9:16 vertical with the first 1.5 seconds doing all the work. YouTube and your author website want 16:9 horizontal with proper title cards. Amazon's video module needs 16:9 too but in a 30-second-or-shorter trim. Knowing your target platforms before commissioning means we deliver the right cuts the first time, not 'here's a horizontal master, please re-edit it for vertical' as an afterthought.
💡 Pro Tips
- Instagram Reels / TikTok: 9:16 vertical, 30s sweet spot for completion rate, first 1.5s critical
- YouTube ads or organic uploads: 16:9 horizontal, 30s/60s/90s all viable
- Amazon Sponsored Brand video module: 16:9, ≤30s strict (longer gets clipped)
- Your author website hero: 16:9, autoplay friendly (no jump-cuts that look broken on loop), 60s typical
- Email-marketing GIF: short loop (5-15s), no audio dependency
⚠️ Important
- If you only commission a 16:9 horizontal master, re-cutting to 9:16 vertical for Reels/TikTok is a separate add-on (£150 / $187 for social-cut versions)
- Trailers over 60s rarely justify the production cost for fiction; non-fiction expert books sometimes benefit from 90s for an extended speaker-on-camera segment
2The Three Tiers and What They Actually Are
Our three tiers represent genuinely different production approaches, not just length variants. The right tier depends on your distribution ambition and whether the trailer is doing one job (Amazon Sponsored Brand) or many (Reels + ads + website + email).
Teaser Trailer (£297 / $377) — 30 seconds
Tight cover reveal + book-pitch hook + CTA. Works for Amazon Sponsored Brand video, Instagram Reels, TikTok, embedded book-page hero. Stock footage + motion typography + licensed music. Single delivery aspect ratio.
Full Trailer (£497 / $627) — 60 seconds
Three-act mini-narrative — setup, conflict, hook + cover reveal. Time for atmosphere and tension. Stock footage + motion + curated licensed music + voiceover (optional). Two aspect ratios delivered (16:9 + 9:16) so you can run on web AND social without recutting.
Epic Production (£797 / $997) — 90 seconds
Cinematic mini-trailer with stronger narrative arc. Voiceover included; original animation or custom motion graphics where stock won't land the genre. Three aspect ratios delivered (16:9 + 9:16 + 1:1 square). Best when the trailer is your launch's hero asset.
⚠️ Important
- Custom-shot footage (live-action filming on location) is NOT included in any tier — that's a separate film-production engagement
- If you want author-on-camera segments, that's typically self-recorded by you and we cut it in; we don't shoot in-person
- Animation add-on (£300 / $377) covers original 2D/3D animation segments beyond stock motion graphics
3How the Process Works — Step by Step
Every trailer project follows the same five-step rhythm. Total project time is roughly 1-2 weeks (Teaser) to 3-4 weeks (Epic Production), depending on tier and your sign-off speed.
You complete the trailer intake form
Manuscript or detailed synopsis, genre + target reader, tone references (3-5 trailers from books or films whose energy you'd like to evoke), 3-5 key beats from your book that should appear, voiceover preference (yes/no, gender, age, accent), music mood (ominous, uplifting, romantic, mysterious), platform priorities, deadline. About 15 minutes.
We deliver script + storyboard
Written script with on-screen text, narrative beats, music cues, and a frame-by-frame storyboard (rough sketches of each shot). You sign off here — much cheaper to redirect at storyboard stage than after final edit.
Voiceover + music selection (where applicable)
If your tier includes voiceover, we send 3 voiceover artist auditions reading 2-3 lines of your script. You pick one and they record the full script. Music selection happens in parallel — we propose 2-3 licensed tracks fitting the mood; you pick one.
First-cut delivery
Full trailer assembled with selected footage, motion graphics, voiceover, and music. Delivered as 1080p MP4 in your primary aspect ratio. You review and request revisions — 2 revision rounds included for cuts/timing/text adjustments; substantial restructures (changing the narrative arc, swapping the music mood) count as a fresh edit and are quoted.
Final delivery in all required aspect ratios
Final 1080p (or 4K on Epic Production) MP4 in every aspect ratio your tier includes (16:9 / 9:16 / 1:1). Plus optional GIF version for email marketing if requested. License documentation for every piece of stock footage and music used so you can prove rights if a platform challenges.
4Stock Footage, Motion, and Music Licensing
Trailers are built primarily from licensed stock footage and motion graphics, not custom-shot material. Our stock subscriptions (Storyblocks, Artgrid, Envato, Epidemic Sound) cover commercial use across all platforms — you receive license documentation showing you're cleared to run paid ads, post on social, embed on retail platforms.
💡 Pro Tips
- Stock footage clearance: every clip we use is licensed for commercial use including paid ads (some lower-cost stock services restrict this)
- Music: same — licensed for commercial use including platform monetisation; YouTube Content ID won't claim it
- Voiceover: contracted as work-for-hire with explicit usage rights; you can reuse the audio in podcasts, radio ads, or other trailers without re-engagement
- License documentation delivered with the final files — keep it filed in case Amazon, Meta, or YouTube ever challenges
⚠️ Important
- DON'T re-host trailers in territories where the underlying stock licence doesn't extend (rare but possible — we'll flag at intake)
- If you re-cut the trailer yourself later, our license covers OUR cut — recombining clips for a substantially new edit needs your own re-clearance
5What a Good Book Trailer Actually Does
Most book trailers fail because they try to summarise the plot. The successful ones operate more like a movie poster than a movie — they signal genre fast, tease atmosphere, and end with a single decisive cover reveal + CTA. We design every trailer around three jobs.
💡 Pro Tips
- Job 1 — Genre signalling in the first 3 seconds: viewer should know if this is thriller, romance, fantasy, business non-fiction without reading a word
- Job 2 — Emotional hook: 1-2 lines of evocative text or VO that promise the reader an experience (NOT a plot summary)
- Job 3 — Cover reveal + CTA: clear, large, with the title and 'Out now' / 'Pre-order' / 'Available on Amazon' explicitly stated
⚠️ Important
- Avoid plot summaries — readers don't watch a trailer to learn what happens; they watch to feel whether they want this kind of book
- Avoid actor-dialogue voiceover (i.e. one of the characters narrating in-world) — sounds amateur in book trailers, even when it works in film trailers
- Avoid more than 5 distinct shots in a 30s trailer — too cuts-y for the genre
6Voiceover (Optional, Tier-Dependent)
Voiceover is included in Full Trailer and Epic Production tiers; available as an add-on on Teaser. A good VO can lift a trailer from 'fine' to 'compelling'; a bad one drags it down faster than any other production element.
💡 Pro Tips
- Genre matters: thriller VO is different from romance VO is different from business non-fiction VO. We audition against the script, not generic demos
- VO duration is typically 60-70% of trailer length — leaves space for music breath and cover reveal
- Author voiceover (you reading) is technically possible if you have a recording space; rarely matches genre conventions but works for memoir or thought-leadership where personal voice IS the brand
⚠️ Important
- Avoid generic 'movie-trailer-voice' VO unless you're parodying the form — sounds dated for fiction
- VO that explains the plot defeats the purpose; VO that establishes mood and stakes works
7Revisions Policy
Trailer revisions concentrate at storyboard stage (cheap to change) and first-cut stage (medium-cost). Final-delivery revisions are limited because re-editing is real time-cost.
💡 Pro Tips
- Storyboard revisions: 1 round included; this is the cheapest place to redirect tone, pacing, and major moments
- Voiceover artist re-pairing: if none of the 3 auditions fit, 2 more sent at no charge
- First-cut revisions: 2 rounds included on all tiers; covers cuts, timing, text adjustments, music swap
⚠️ Important
- Substantive restructures (changing the narrative arc, swapping the music mood after first cut, swapping the VO artist after recording): quoted as a fresh edit at our standard rates
- Adding aspect-ratio outputs after delivery: £150 / $187 each (the social-cuts add-on)
- Original animation segments after first cut: £300 / $377 (animation add-on)
8Delivery Specs
Every tier delivers H.264 MP4 in 1080p (Teaser, Full Trailer) or 4K master + 1080p variants (Epic Production). File specs match the strictest platform requirement (Amazon Sponsored Brand video) so the same files work everywhere.
💡 Pro Tips
- Video: H.264 MP4, 1080p (1920×1080 for 16:9; 1080×1920 for 9:16; 1080×1080 for 1:1)
- Audio: AAC, 192 kbps stereo, peak ≤ -1 dBFS
- Frame rate: 24 fps (cinematic) by default; 30 fps available on request for social-platform optimisation
- Max file size: trim files for social uploads (Instagram caps at 4 GB, TikTok at 287 MB) — we deliver under those caps
9Turnaround Expectations
Trailer turnaround is faster than most HMD services because the production is mostly editing-driven rather than craft-driven. Teaser typically 7 business days; Full Trailer 10 business days; Epic Production 14 business days. The variable is your sign-off speed at storyboard and first-cut stages.
💡 Pro Tips
- Teaser Trailer: ~7 business days order-to-delivery
- Full Trailer: ~10 business days
- Epic Production: ~14 business days
- Rush turnaround possible — ask at intake; usually compresses by 30-40% at a 25% premium
- Holidays don't count toward business-day estimates
10A Small Note on What Trailers Are For
Trailers don't sell books on their own. What they do is make every other piece of marketing more efficient — your Amazon ads convert better with a trailer attached, your Instagram posts stop the scroll, your launch email gets opened because the GIF preview is intriguing. Think of a trailer as a force multiplier for the rest of your marketing rather than a standalone sales tool. Commission it as part of a launch plan, not in isolation.
Ready to commission your trailer?
If you know which platforms you'll run the trailer on and you have a sense of tone (genre conventions, atmosphere references), pick a tier — Teaser (30s), Full Trailer (60s), or Epic Production (90s) — and we'll have your script + storyboard back within 5 business days. Want to talk through tier choice or how the trailer should fit your wider launch plan? Book a free consultation first.
Common Questions
What aspect ratios do I get? Can I run it on TikTok and YouTube?
Depends on tier. Teaser delivers a single primary aspect ratio (you pick at intake — typically 9:16 vertical for social or 16:9 horizontal for web/Amazon). Full Trailer delivers two ratios (16:9 + 9:16) so you can run on web AND social without recutting. Epic Production delivers three (16:9 + 9:16 + 1:1 square for Instagram feed). Adding aspect ratios after delivery is the social-cuts add-on at £150 / $187.
Do you shoot custom footage or use stock?
Stock and motion graphics, not custom shoots. Our stock subscriptions (Storyblocks, Artgrid, Envato, Epidemic Sound) cover commercial use across all platforms — every clip is cleared for paid ads, social posts, retail-platform embedding. Custom-shot footage (live-action filming on location) is a separate film-production engagement we don't offer in-house. If you want author-on-camera segments, you self-record those and we cut them in; we don't shoot in-person.
Will the music get content-claimed on YouTube?
No — we license music through Epidemic Sound (and similar commercial-use libraries) which provides Content ID clearance for the buying account. Your trailer running on the YouTube channel registered to your purchase will not get monetisation-claimed. If you're posting from a different channel (e.g. a publisher's channel rather than your author one), let us know at intake and we'll structure the licence accordingly.
Do you include voiceover?
Tier-dependent. Voiceover is included in Full Trailer (60s) and Epic Production (90s). Teaser doesn't include VO by default — typically uses motion typography and licensed music alone. VO can be added to Teaser as a custom quote at intake. We audition 3 voiceover artists against your specific script (not generic demos), and re-pair at no charge if none fit. VO contracted as work-for-hire with full usage rights.
Can I use the trailer in Amazon Sponsored Brand ads?
Yes — every trailer we deliver passes Amazon's Sponsored Brand video specs by default (H.264 MP4, 16:9, 1920×1080, ≤30s for the SB-specific 30-second cut, license documentation for music and footage). On Teaser and Full Trailer tiers we deliver an Amazon-spec ≤30s cut alongside your primary delivery. Epic Production includes the Amazon cut as one of three aspect ratios.
How long does a trailer take to produce?
Teaser ~7 business days, Full Trailer ~10 business days, Epic Production ~14 business days, all order-to-delivery. The breakdown: 1-2 days script + storyboard, 1-3 days voiceover + music selection (if applicable), 3-7 days first cut, 1-2 days revisions, 1 day final delivery in all aspect ratios. Variable is your sign-off speed at storyboard and first-cut stages. Rush turnaround possible at a 25% premium — typically compresses delivery by 30-40%.
Ready to start? Head to the Video Trailer service page to pick a tier — Teaser (£297), Full Trailer (£497), or Epic Production (£797). Or book a free consultation if you want to talk through tier choice and how the trailer should fit into your wider launch plan before committing. We'd rather plan a trailer that earns its place in your marketing than ship a polished video that nobody sees.
What's your next move?
If you know which platforms you'll run the trailer on (Amazon SB, Instagram Reels, TikTok, YouTube, your website) and you have a sense of tone, pick a tier — Teaser (30s), Full Trailer (60s), or Epic Production (90s) — and we'll have your script + storyboard back within 5 business days. Want to talk through tier choice or how the trailer fits a wider launch plan? Book a free consultation first.
Or contact support if you have questions before ordering.
Free Tools
3D Book Mockup Generator
Generate 3D mockup imagery for the cover-reveal beat in your trailer — paperback, hardcover, audiobook on-device variants.
Amazon Description Generator
AI-assisted Amazon description copy. The trailer hook and your basic description are the two-piece sales pitch on the detail page.
Book Title Generator
Refine working titles before commissioning a trailer — the title is the most-repeated element across the 30-90 second runtime.