I consider myself fairly tech savvy. But when it comes to social media and promoting my books? Not so much.
Recently I watched a webinar on some of the more advanced things you can do on Canva. I’ve been using Canva for awhile and love it. It’s easy to make graphics for social media and my website. But I’d hadn’t ventured beyond that.
Until now.
Being with my husband on one of his business trips afforded me a little more “extra” time than usual after I’d finished my must do’s for the day. I thought I’d use that time to play around with Canva, especially to experiment with the video options. One of the authors on the webinar had gone through the basics of how she created a book trailer—all in Canva.
Honestly, I didn’t think I could do it. I didn’t think I’d be able to find the images I wanted or distill my story down to a few slides or add music—all so it didn’t feel at least too amatuerish. And I thought it would take forever.
Boy was I wrong! In less than two hours I was practically jumping up and down and showing my husband what I’d created. I could tell by the look on his face he was skeptical. But after he watched it? His tune changed.
I sent it to a couple of writer friends and got more encouragement. And so I decided to debut it for all of you!
I’d love to hear your thoughts—even if you see something I could do better! 🙂
Do you like these kinds of book trailers? Do they help you decide what books you want to read?
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That turned out really nice, D’Ann!I haven’t really done much with Canva, but maybe I need to try it again! Your book sounds really good too!
Thanks, Deb! I’ve come to really love Canva. I know there is even more I can use it for but I’m learning little by little! 🙂
The trailer turned out really well, and it sparked an interest in me in reading your book!
Yay! Thanks so much!
Great job, D’Ann! I’m so impressed because I don’t think I could do that myself.
I think you’d be surprised! I was shocked I could do it.
So excited for you! What a ‘happy’ place to be in: content, filled with joy and peace with such hope for what is yet to come! I love it! I may look into this myself as it’s much more appealing for a video to watch as a first step into reading the description of book on the back page, or just ordering the book right off the bat! Thanks for sharing your story and the opportunity for me to seek this trailer dealio out for my book to be out soon! (still waiting on the final edits to be done by editing guy — 4th time — it’s on Amazon, but i keep finding mistakes he’s made on putting the book together.) Oh well… learning curve for me!
Thanks for the feedback! I think it’s a fun way to let people “experience” the book first. Hope you can get all your mistakes corrected. I know that is frustrating!
Very nice job! Wondering if a link to where it’s listed on Amazon would be helpful. I love Canva, too.
Great idea! I might see if I can figure something out. Of course it will go up on my website and social media, too.
It’s wonderful, D’Ann! And I totally understand your excitement. I’ve never attempted a video, but I still get excited when I manage to nail a high quality graphic. I’m so NOT artistic, that when I pull something off that looks somewhat professional, I get giddy. 🙂 Nice job on the trailer!
BTW – The pictures you chose for the kids were perfection!
I know! I’m not the artistic type either, so graphics having been intimidating and I really didn’t think this would work out. And imagine finding the pictures of those kids on Canva! Such a serendipitous moment! 🙂
Wonderful!
Thanks!
That’s amazing. You give inspiration and hope to those of us struggling with the time consuming technical education and implementation.
Ha! I’m one of you, that’s for sure. It just took someone giving me a bit of instruction and then having the courage to try! 🙂
Cool! That’s so awesome and great to hear how Canva is so accessible… your work on your own book trailer inspires me to step out like you and try it for myself when my debut novel comes out! Thanks for sharing your journey!
Happy to share! We all have to help each other! 🙂
I enjoyed the video. I call these things teasers. And that sure was one. It allows you to see the authors view of what people and things were in the vision for the book. Thanks for sharing.
You are welcome! And yes, a teaser. Like back cover copy but with pictures. 🙂
I really like it! Having read the book, I connect with it even more.