Learn how to create a book trailer with Canva and give potential readers a glimpse of your novel by maximizing their interest.
By: Grant P. Ferguson
Last Updated: January 3, 2024
Alfred Hitchcock once said, “What is drama but life with the dull bits cut out.” A book trailer gives potential readers a thrilling glimpse of your novel to maximize interest. I’ll share the how-to steps based on Kelsey Bryant’s Suite and Suitability*.
The Purpose of a Book Trailer
As a teaser and promotional tool, book trailers can spark interest—and that’s the chief purpose.
Like a movie poster, creating the urge to know more. In a minute or two, a quality book trailer shows what readers can expect without giving away too much. The trailer’s ending calls for action.
Put the Story Spine to Work
In an earlier post (Stuck Trying to Turn a Premise into a Plot? Do This Instead!), I created a Story Spine.
I’ll use these six beats to create a book trailer:
- HOOK
- SETUP
- TRIGGER
- THRUST INTO 2
- MIDPOINT
- PLUNGE INTO 3
Within these six beats, there’s more than enough material to create a book trailer, so let’s get started!
What You’ll Need
To make a book trailer, the most important thing you bring to the table is your story. Canva Pro walks you through the use of images, videos, audio, colors, and fonts. The app also provides you with top-notch help screens and guides.
Story
In this example, I’ll borrow generously from the Story Spine for Suit and Suitability by Kelsey Bryant. Then I’ll turn that text into a brief script, and generate interest without giving away too much. Also, I’ll create the introduction and ending slides, sometimes dividing a Story Spine beat into two scenes for dramatic effect.
Here’s the initial scene-by-scene draft of the script:
- Bookend “A” Text: The mystery surrounding their father’s criminal accusations is almost as hard to solve as the many puzzles springing on their hearts. [Book Cover Image… some movement (e.g., slide in, dissolve, breath, etc.)]
- Text: Canton, Ohio, 1935. [Image of town]
- Text: Ellen and Marion Dashiell’s world crumbles when their father is sent to prison. [Image of Prison… maybe someone in prison uniform]
- Text: Forced to relocate to a small town, what is left of their family faces a new reality where survival overshadows dreams. [Image of Town… dark scene indicating stress]
- Text: Sensible Ellen, struggles to hold the family together. [Ellen’s image]
- Text: Ellen is parted from the man she’s just learning to love. [An image that suggests the agony of separation and loneliness]
- Text: Headstrong Marion fears she will never be the actress she aspires to be. [Marion’s image]
- Text: When a dashing hero enters the scene, things only grow more complicated. [Hero’s image]
- Text: But could a third man hold the key to the restoration and happiness of the Dashiell family? [Tease with an image of the mystery man]
- Bookend “B” Text: Delve into the lives of Ellen and Marion as they struggle with finding themselves and their true loves during the Great Depression. [Book cover image with Call to Action text]
Images
If you already have images, illustrations, or videos, great! If not, Canva Pro has millions you can use royalty free. And if that’s not enough, check out the free downloads from Pexels.com, Pixabay.com, and Unsplash.com.
Audio
You may already have copyright-free background music. If not, Canva Pro will tickle your ears with fantastic selections. You can also make voice overs and upload sound effects.
Colors and Fonts
If you don’t know which colors and fonts to use, you’ll find everything you need in Canva Pro. If you have specific brand colors and fonts, there’s a place to store and retrieve them.
How to Create a Book Trailer with Canva Pro
1. Sign into Canva Pro
If you don’t already have a log in to Canva Pro, join the free 30-day trial. Note: I am not an affiliate of Canva, but I love this app.
2. Select Slideshow Video
Choose Video from the menu at the top and select Slideshow Video.
3. Choose a Video Template
In the left-hand column, you will see an array of video templates.
Type “Slideshow Videos” into the search box and view the suggested templates under the “All Results” heading. Select a template with 5 or more pages (e.g., “White and Black Film Frames Christmas Greetings Slideshow”).
Then apply all pages. Once loaded, play the video and watch what happens on the screen.
You’ve had your first lesson in how to create a book trailer in Canva Pro! You’re welcome to experiment with the content of this template. Have fun!
I made my first two videos by taking a base template, replacing the stock images with mine, and adjusting the colors. Those hands-on experiences gave me the confidence to tackle today’s example.
4. Add Images/Videos, Pages, and Text
For today’s example, I started with a blank slide and added “elements” (e.g., images, graphics, videos, and more). Then I added “text” based on my Story Spine. I clicked the “+” to add more “pages” (i.e., scenes).
5. Adjust Fonts and Colors
Canva offers abundant font and color choices. I love the way you can preload and maintain your brand’s preferred fonts and colors.
6. Add Music and Voice Overs
Search for the right background music. Canva keeps track of what you use, making it a snap to reuse a piece. By clicking on the sound line (i.e., the purple line under the slides), it expands and you can adjust audio timing and duration.
7. Tweak Timing and Transitions
If you load standard pages, they’re typically set at 5 seconds’ duration. Videos, however, vary. You control the timing by clicking on the current value and adjusting up or down; or you can use your mouse to drag the slide, making the duration longer or shorter.
Canva gives you many transition options, such as dissolve (my choice for today’s example). Also, you can animate text and images.
Book Trailer Example
After tweaking the script and images, it’s a wonderful feeling watching the story come to life on the screen!
I enjoyed the time to create a book trailer with Canva Pro, and it was as easy as the script outlined above.
To get a copy* of Kelsey Bryant’s book, follow this link: Suit and Suitability.
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Where will you post your book trailer (e.g., your website, Amazon, YouTube, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter)?
*As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases, but it won’t cost you a penny more. Learn more in my Affiliate Disclaimer.
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