Are book trailers actually worth it?
Short answer
A trailer rarely sells a book on its own, but it earns its cost when you use it as short video for ads and social posts rather than a one-off launch video. Amazon lets authors run Sponsored Brands video ads of 6 to 45 seconds, so a short, cover-first cut can work on Amazon too.
What it costs with me, Jooneyd: My short teasers (3 vertical videos) start at $399, and a 30–45 second trailer, wide and vertical with licensed music, is $699.
What the evidence says
Reader data on trailers is old and small. In a 2012 survey of 104 people, 85% had never bought a book solely because of a trailer. But 46% said a trailer influenced them when they were already on the fence.
Author discussions point the same way. Most say a trailer doesn't move sales by itself, while some find their trailers do well as social content. The value comes from where the video is shown, not from the video alone.
Use it as an ad, not a one-off post
Amazon Ads announced Sponsored Brands video for authors on Dec 6, 2023 in the US, UK, DE, FR, ES and IT. That puts a short trailer in front of people already shopping for books.
- A 16:9 master for Amazon video ads.
- A vertical 9:16 cut for social media.
- Short clips for launch posts and later ads.
Keep it short and cover-first
Amazon's spec accepts 6 to 45 seconds, and 20 seconds or less is recommended. Show the cover early, so the book is easy to recognise.
There is no neutral survey of trailer prices, only sellers' own price lists. Compare quotes on what you get: length, versions and formats.
The rules at a glance
| What | The rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 6–45 seconds; 20 seconds or less recommended | advertising.amazon.com |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 (square pixel) only | advertising.amazon.com |
| Resolution | 1280×720, 1920×1080 or 3840×2160 | advertising.amazon.com |
| File | MP4 or MOV, 500 MB or less | advertising.amazon.com |
| Announced for authors | Dec 6, 2023: US, UK, DE, FR, ES and IT | advertising.amazon.com |
Checked 27 October 2026 on the stores’ own help pages.
Posting the trailer once at launch and never using it in ads or social posts again.
Need it done?
I make book trailers in 16:9 and 9:16, ready for Amazon ads and social media. Book trailers from $399.
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- Amazon Ads: New features for authors on Sponsored Brands
- Amazon Ads: Sponsored Brands video specs
- r/selfpublish: An author's first trailers (Dec 2024)