How To Post Your Mobile Videos
Social Media Platforms
You can either post your mobile book trailer to a social platform from your desktop/laptop, or from your mobile phone. Either method will work for most social media experiences, though a few will only allow mobile phone upload.
You can either post your mobile book trailer to a social platform from your desktop/laptop, or from your mobile phone. Either method will work for most social media experiences, though a few will only allow mobile phone upload.
Initial Steps
- Decide which social media experiences you will post to.
- Access our reference page to determine the correct format versions for each social media experience.
- Download your videos from the Google Video Repository that we set up for you (to your desktop/laptop if you plan to post from there, or to your mobile phone if you plan to post from there).
- File naming conventions. Please see the below image for our video file naming convention:
*Note we will only add the call to action tag if there are multiple videos with multiple calls to action
Desktop/Laptop
- Log on to the social media platform from your desktop/laptop.
- Find the area that allows you to post content.
- Find the correct downloaded video for the particular social media platform, and follow the site's instructions to upload the video. If the site allows you to size or crop the video, DON'T. Keep it at its original size.
Mobile Phone
- Log on to the social media platform from your mobile phone.
- Tap the correct icon to begin the upload experience (i.e. the Instagram Reels icon, the + icon, etc.).
- Follow the instructions to upload the video.
- Note that if you downloaded multiple video versions to your mobile phone before uploading to any social sites, it might be difficult to find the correct version to upload (since most sites only allow you to see the video picture and not the file name when browsing your mobile phone). It is for this reason that we recommend managing your videos on your phone so you can easily find the one you want to use. One strategy that works relatively well is to create a separate folder/album for each video. Another strategy, though a bit more time-consuming, is to load and upload one video at a time. Then when done, delete or move the video from your phone and repeat the process for each social site upload.
Resizing Video
Some social media experiences provide an option to resize or crop your video when uploading (I.e. Instagram Reels via desktop upload). Don't do this. Keep the video it's original size. If the original size is not an option, simply use the option where you can see the entire video. Check it and then check it again before posting to make sure it looks correct to you.
Auto Captions - Off
Some social media sites allow the user to turn on auto captions, where lower third captions will automatically appear on your video. You do NOT want this as our trailers have their own captions, nicely designed as part of the experience. Social media auto captions are redundant, not attractive, and ruin the experience. So make sure auto captions are turned off.
Some social media experiences provide an option to resize or crop your video when uploading (I.e. Instagram Reels via desktop upload). Don't do this. Keep the video it's original size. If the original size is not an option, simply use the option where you can see the entire video. Check it and then check it again before posting to make sure it looks correct to you.
Auto Captions - Off
Some social media sites allow the user to turn on auto captions, where lower third captions will automatically appear on your video. You do NOT want this as our trailers have their own captions, nicely designed as part of the experience. Social media auto captions are redundant, not attractive, and ruin the experience. So make sure auto captions are turned off.
Video Thumbnails
Some social media platforms allow you to choose your own video thumbnail rather than use their auto-generated thumbnails. As part of your package we create video thumbnails for each format that we produce. You can find these in your Google Video Repository. You can use one of these, or create your own if you prefer. Please note that some social sites will crop your thumbnail and it might not appear exactly as originally created. If this happens, we recommend using their auto-generated thumbnails.
Some social media platforms allow you to choose your own video thumbnail rather than use their auto-generated thumbnails. As part of your package we create video thumbnails for each format that we produce. You can find these in your Google Video Repository. You can use one of these, or create your own if you prefer. Please note that some social sites will crop your thumbnail and it might not appear exactly as originally created. If this happens, we recommend using their auto-generated thumbnails.
Websites (Embed Code)
When posting a mobile-formatted video on your website (or other third-party websites), we recommend posting the 16:9 format version, using a third-party video hosting service and embedding the videos on your site. The native video players that website builders use do not always allow video to fill the screen properly or are not responsive, resulting in a sub-optimum mobile viewing experience. Below are our recommendations for third-party video embed services, in order of preference.
When we do a project for you we will share more details regarding how to use these services.
When posting a mobile-formatted video on your website (or other third-party websites), we recommend posting the 16:9 format version, using a third-party video hosting service and embedding the videos on your site. The native video players that website builders use do not always allow video to fill the screen properly or are not responsive, resulting in a sub-optimum mobile viewing experience. Below are our recommendations for third-party video embed services, in order of preference.
- Wistia - Wistia is a full-service video hosting company that allows for complete player flexibility for any website (I.e. brand color, pre and post video play behavior, autoplay with and without sound, in-video call-to-action links, etc.), and amazing analytics to measure video plays, including IP addresses and locations. All the videos on our site use the Wistia service. Wistia's platform is second to none and their customer service is stellar. They offer a free version which allows for up to 10 unique videos and an embedded payer that includes subtle Wistia branding. If you want to post up to 20 unique videos and/or want to eliminate the Wistia branding, they offer a basic package for $19/mo.
- YouTube - You can upload your videos to your YouTube channel for free and then embed them on any website. Note that the player customization is limited and upon initial playback viewers will see YouTube branding and share icons on the player. As well, after the video plays YouTube will offer up more videos that viewers will be able to click off to, potentially leaving your site. You can customize the YouTube player to get around some of its player limitations, but only to a degree. Still, if you already have a YouTube channel it is a quick way to get the video up and playing on your website.
- Vimeo - Another free video service, Vimeo works just like YouTube and is used by many video professionals to host their video content. The free tools are a bit more flexible than YouTube's but there are still some limitations versus using a service like Wistia. For complete player flexibility, Vimeo offers a $7/mo version that you can use to provide an optimum mobile viewing experience.
When we do a project for you we will share more details regarding how to use these services.
Author Media Kits
One of the best ways to use your book trailers is to incorporate them into your author media or press kit. As a matter of fact, we think author's should lead with their trailer when pitching their book to the press. There really is no better way to begin your story than a quick, well-produced video that communicates exactly what your book is about. "Hook 'em" we say, then follow with all the general media kit information, your bio, book cover, book synopsis, etc.
There are some industry standards to follow when creating a media kit but it is not an exact science. There is room for flexible design and delivery. Some authors simply create a media or press kit page on their website. That works great. Other authors create a PDF that they can share. That works well too. Still, other authors upload their materials to a Google Drive or Drop Box account for the press to access and download. There is a time and place for that approach too. Regardless of how it is done, any method will lend itself well to your video trailers. If you are creating a page on your website or developing a PDF, all you need is an embed code or URL link of the trailer. For a Google Drive or Drop Box, simply upload the trailer's video file. All super straight forward!
One of the best ways to use your book trailers is to incorporate them into your author media or press kit. As a matter of fact, we think author's should lead with their trailer when pitching their book to the press. There really is no better way to begin your story than a quick, well-produced video that communicates exactly what your book is about. "Hook 'em" we say, then follow with all the general media kit information, your bio, book cover, book synopsis, etc.
There are some industry standards to follow when creating a media kit but it is not an exact science. There is room for flexible design and delivery. Some authors simply create a media or press kit page on their website. That works great. Other authors create a PDF that they can share. That works well too. Still, other authors upload their materials to a Google Drive or Drop Box account for the press to access and download. There is a time and place for that approach too. Regardless of how it is done, any method will lend itself well to your video trailers. If you are creating a page on your website or developing a PDF, all you need is an embed code or URL link of the trailer. For a Google Drive or Drop Box, simply upload the trailer's video file. All super straight forward!