I’ve been thinking a lot about how we discover new indie books lately. Traditionally, it’s all about the cover and the blurb. But with platforms like TikTok and Instagram being so visual, I’m leaning more towards Concept Teasers—short, atmospheric videos that show the mood of the story rather than the plot.
I have recently written a Thriller set in a neon-noir version of a city, and I used to find myself spending a lot of time trying to visualize the tension between my characters through short cinematic clips. Hence i created one.
My question to the readers and fellow authors here: Does a 60-second atmospheric trailer actually make you curious about the world-building, or do you find it distracting?
Does showing the vibe of the city and the characters aesthetic add value to the brand, or should we just stick to the traditional methods? I’m genuinely curious if people feel more connected to a story when they can 'see' the atmosphere before they buy it.
by Low_Masterpiece_2612
3 Comments
I don’t think I’ve seen the type of trailers you’re referring to but that’s definitely piqued my interest. The idea sounds very intriguing.
It could but you’d have to get eyeballs on it, which is the biggest hurdle. Could be money spent on very little to no return on investment.
Execution matters, but a cinematic vibe can be a strong hook. I recently released a cyberpunk thriller described as visceral and cinematic, someone even said they’d love to see it as a movie. Back when I was on YT, I made a book trailer using art I created for it, which got attention but didn’t generate sales, newsletter sign-ups, or lasting interest – well, aside from one person, but still. If you want to take self-publishing seriously, think like a business: will this effort not only get eyes on your work but also convert them into readers?
An atmospheric teaser can spark curiosity and convey your world and tone in ways a cover or blurb can’t, but it should complement, not replace, traditional marketing tactics.