So many self-publishing gurus tell us that we need to have a book trailer, so I made one. But what do you do with the book trailer after production? Upload it to YouTube and forget it? Do that and a week later all you are likely to have as a return on your investment (be it time financial or time) is a handful of views. No, a book trailer needs to get out there, to as many places as possible.

Where Should I Post It?

Unfortunately, finding a list of places to upload or your promote your book trailer isn’t as easy at it sounds. The lists I found were either out-dated or had a huge number or irrelevant links. Especially for authors not writing YA, Fantasy or Non-Fiction. So I created my own list. I have uploaded my own first trailer for The Spanish Helmet to many of the sites listed and my experiences to date are noted. Where possible, I have included a link to my book trailer on the video hosting sites. This might help you compare the quality of presentation. The same file was used on all sites and was uploaded in HD (1080p, that is 1,920 x 1,080 pixels).

Focus on YouTube or Spread It Around?

I argued with myself over this one too. On the one hand, it seems logical to just upload it to YouTube and then to point as many people there as possible, so it goes viral. On the other hand, any new set of eyes is a new set of eyes. So uploading to as many video hosts as possible can get you in front of more people. Add to that the old marketing rules of people need to see a brand multiple times before they remember it and you are on to a winner with multiple hosts.

To balance the two options out, I suggest uploading it everywhere but picking one host as your main host and then still only pointing other people there. I do this with YouTube.

A Living List

I intend to keep this list up to date so if you have new places to add, old places to remove or some information to share, please let me know in the comments.

BTW, as a disclaimer I should note that I use the term book trailer numerous times in this post despite it being claimed as a trademarked term (that could only happen in the US, folks). I use the term freely without referring the trademark claimant for two reasons. First, I am not in the US and the trademark has only been registered there. Secondly, most important, I use the terms book and trailer to describe my video trailer which relates to my book. Such a use of a descriptive term falls within fair use. I am in no was suggesting that my book trailer has anything to do with said claimant.

Without any further ado, here is a starter list of 31 places to promote your book trailer.