Trailers are a lot of fun........ and a lot of work.
If people like a scene from pics, they'll buy without a trailer. If people don't like a scene from pics, the trailer rarely does anything to increase sales.
I guess it boosts sales for those "tipping point" scenes, but you never know if your scene qualifies until you've already put the time into making the trailer.
Idk, I voted for trailers, I guess cause I would like to see the vibe and a taste of the acting perhaps? Not saying this to Rich or yourself, but a lot of producers are masters of the "perfect" set pics, but when you see it live it really didn't go down like that perfect moment. Being able to do a pic set literally millisecond by millisecond can misrepresent the scene. That is my 2 cents.
Trailers are nice but not required for me. When it comes to trusted producers, I don't always even watch available trailers because I want to be surprised by the scene. Pictures that accurately represent the scene, however, are a must.
Rich is right, Pics generally suffice for most situations. However the one situation a trailer can clarify when I'm curious to buy is the voice of a model. So it's good if you're a fan of script heavy work or scenes that feature the model talking to camera.
For me, pictures are usually enough to tell me if I want to buy a video or not. A trailer is a nice bonus, and if I'm really on the fence it can push me one way or the other, but more often than not my mind if made up after seeing preview pictures.
I've noticed scenes with trailers tend to do slightly better, but that could just be because I'm more likely to include a trailer with a scene I expect to do well anyway, for example the recent one of Violet Vixen and Maude in PVC in the mud, which got me Top Download, for only the second time ever.
There's also a risk when you make trailers, make them too good and people will just download them, loop them, and wank to that, instead of buying the scene. I've had people complain that trailers cut out before the money shot before now, slightly missing the point of trailers.
These days we delibaretly prepare trailers as part of the shoot, either part-way through when people are a bit messy but not totally, we'll pause the main scene at a natural break point and do a quick trailer, or we'll shoot a clean "before" bit with the models saying "if you want to see how we went from this:" (all clean view) and then we'll film a totally gunged bit at the end "to this! - you need this scene!". That has the advantage of showing the models and outfits completely dry and clean at the start, and how totally messy they got by the end, which covers some of the important things to include in scene promo.
In terms of my own purchases, it's less down to whether there is a trailer or not, than whether overall the entire promo package - the text description, the still photos, any trailer, all together - tell me that the scene contains things I require before buying:
1. What outfits are worn, and do the clean shots and/or text include enough detail to ensure I can properly tell what they are wearing.
2. How do they get messy. Quickly, or slowly? From the head down, from the feet up, or something else?
3. Can we properly see their legs / lower half getting messy? If not, no sale. If can't tell, no sale.
So the presence or absense of a trailer doesn't actually make or break the decision, it's perfectly possible to provide all the necessary info via text decsription and still pics. But the info does need to be provided.
I voted preview pics are fine-- and they usually are. However, as a pie fan there are certain things that would help me determine whether to purchase that may not be shown in pics. For example, sometimes, if it is a sole model, it is hard to determine whether she is self-pieing or somebody is pieing her. This is important to me. You may be able to determine from the description ("pies herself") but maybe not ("gets pied" doesn't always mean a pie-ee and pie-er). Trailers help in that regard.
On a individual purchase a good amount of pictures will do the trick for me. It should be enough to see if I like the model, the mess used, the clothing and the action going on. Preview trailers are a nice bonus. Instead of individual trailers for each scene sometimes a trailer to preview a couple of updates that are coming in the following months will get me excited about things that are coming soon.
DungeonMasterOne said: I've noticed scenes with trailers tend to do slightly better, but that could just be because I'm more likely to include a trailer with a scene I expect to do well anyway, for example the recent one of Violet Vixen and Maude in PVC in the mud, which got me Top Download, for only the second time ever.
There's also a risk when you make trailers, make them too good and people will just download them, loop them, and wank to that, instead of buying the scene. I've had people complain that trailers cut out before the money shot before now, slightly missing the point of trailers.
These days we delibaretly prepare trailers as part of the shoot, either part-way through when people are a bit messy but not totally, we'll pause the main scene at a natural break point and do a quick trailer, or we'll shoot a clean "before" bit with the models saying "if you want to see how we went from this:" (all clean view) and then we'll film a totally gunged bit at the end "to this! - you need this scene!". That has the advantage of showing the models and outfits completely dry and clean at the start, and how totally messy they got by the end, which covers some of the important things to include in scene promo.
In terms of my own purchases, it's less down to whether there is a trailer or not, than whether overall the entire promo package - the text description, the still photos, any trailer, all together - tell me that the scene contains things I require before buying:
1. What outfits are worn, and do the clean shots and/or text include enough detail to ensure I can properly tell what they are wearing.
2. How do they get messy. Quickly, or slowly? From the head down, from the feet up, or something else?
3. Can we properly see their legs / lower half getting messy? If not, no sale. If can't tell, no sale.
So the presence or absense of a trailer doesn't actually make or break the decision, it's perfectly possible to provide all the necessary info via text decsription and still pics. But the info does need to be provided.
I guess I voted trailers because for me, they are simply fun to do. I don't typically go beyond the few snippets of each feature and my editing style honestly doesn't permit anyone any traction beyond simple interest with the exception of what you can find on C4S however those trailers are deliberately reduced heavily in resolution (for your exact reasons). My take is if anyone is as desperate enough to wank to looped low res previews off C4S then they were never going to buy anyways and the paying customers get the good stuff. It's kinda like Best Buy; You can go to the store and play with it, for sure, but ya gotta pay to take it home with you .
As for whether or not a trailer makes or breaks my decision to buy? Yes and no. I've bought content with screen grabs and a good description and I've bought content with a decent preview that gives a good idea on what to expect. In any event, it does have to give a good overall presentation of what to expect when you buy.
While they can actually cause someone to not purchase a video, they do a pretty good job at preventing buyers remorse. Of course you want every video to be a winner, but the reality is some are gonna do better than others. And what you really don't want, big picture, is somebody buying something they don't like or were not expecting, and never take a chance on your store again. Most customers never complain. You never know why you lost them.
It's always best to give your customer the most information so they can make the correct buying decision for them.
I purchased some of your videos, but quite a long while after you had established a big catalogue, because I didn't realize what you were making was something I would like. Glad I did, you guys are great, but I would probably been with you from the start had I ever realized how much of your stuff was up my alley.
It's good advertising that only costs you a bit of time. Well worth it. And it will make your stuff stand out over those too lazy or disinterested in trailers as well. So pretty much no downside.
I look at the length to make sure I'm not getting 6 minutes alone (and then half of it is introduction).
I use pictures to make sure enough is happening.
Mostly I don't need it with trusted producers (which I trust).
I almost always want a scene preview - it doesn't have to be a trailer, I don't need any nonsense or sounds, but I want to see the actual actress and know how she acts/speaks. If I'm familiar with the actress, it's not an issue...
But many times I fount myself with an expensive clip, where the actress isn't acting (or reacting...), or her look is different than the photos.
Trailers should be absolutely MANDATORY! If I could get the money back from all the movies I've wasted money on strictly going off of preview pics I could take a weeks vacation to Hawaii and pay for airfare with tge money I'd get back. I'd also argue the trailers should be no less than a minute long because on some sites the trailer is just the intro to tge clip. I'm always suspicious if a seller options NOT to make a trailer especially if the pictures barely show anything as well. Sadly knowing all this, plus the numerous bad experiences I still gamble and crap out from time to time purchasing horrible clips. I just bought a GOD AWFUL clip just last week that based off of the lengthy description I was positive absolutely couldn't fail.... Needless to say not only did it fail but failed HORRIBLY!
Mostly I'm happy to buy a scene off preview pics alone, but sometimes I'll end up disappointed with my purchase.
Very rarely, if ever, have I been disappointed with a purchase where I've had the opportunity to see a trailer first, so it does help from a consumer point of view. Whether it's worth it from a producer's point of view I couldn't say.
I've bought videos from great trailers that end up as the 2 mins of mess I've already seen stretched over 45 mins with a lot of awkward padding. A trailer is no guarantee against buyers remorse and if the trailer is so good it over shadows the final product it may make it worse
I voted Preview Pics, based on the fact that the majority of purchases I've made have been based on pics alone. However, I can end up being disappointed because something looked good in a still but perhaps it only lasted a split second or didn't go as far as I hoped. Also some things just can't be adequately shown in stills. A couple of the videos I've purchased have definitely been helped along by a decent trailer.
Meathook said: Trailers are the way to go., And here is why.
While they can actually cause someone to not purchase a video, they do a pretty good job at preventing buyers remorse. Of course you want every video to be a winner, but the reality is some are gonna do better than others. And what you really don't want, big picture, is somebody buying something they don't like or were not expecting, and never take a chance on your store again. Most customers never complain. You never know why you lost them.
It's always best to give your customer the most information so they can make the correct buying decision for them.
I purchased some of your videos, but quite a long while after you had established a big catalogue, because I didn't realize what you were making was something I would like. Glad I did, you guys are great, but I would probably been with you from the start had I ever realized how much of your stuff was up my alley.
It's good advertising that only costs you a bit of time. Well worth it. And it will make your stuff stand out over those too lazy or disinterested in trailers as well. So pretty much no downside.
First off all, I sincerely appreciate the endorsement and support.
Individual scene trailers could be a great deal of work with a large catalog for sure. That's why I made our general trailer about one year ago to showcase what we do as a whole. I think an issue I feel I would do (have done?) ...is show TOO much in the trailer!
I definitely am going to do a second general store trailer with the newer models we've gotten, but may have to look into giving some of our bigger scenes the trailer treatment.
this seems to be a pro trailer thread, so i will voice my dissenting opinion!
forget trailers. full stop.
for me, the hipe is all in the anticipation of what will be in the video (full disclosure, I'm talking about green slime), which for me gets a bit spoiled by watching a trailer. on the one hand, the pictures get me hot and bothered seeing a fabulous story of who is getting messy with what and stuff, but it - and this is critical - leaves the details to the imagination. and for me, that drives me to an instant need to buybuybuy!
on the other hand, trailers can often frustrate me because they reveal the lead up, which usually doesn't do it for me, and the post-mess bits which also doesn't do it for me, so instead of being teased, i just feel a bit let down and less in the buybuybuy mood that i had to wait 30sec or a minute or whatever (horrible i know, right? huge, entitled first world problems here) just to NOT have my hot buttons pushed.
but there is a huuuuuuge caveat here. huge. IF the trailer contains at least one of the clean to messy moments, not a substantial fraction of them obviously, but there is at least one really hot, quality part in its un-redacted glory, then that is not only amazing but totally a purchase closer.
I missed this poll, but I do prefer scene trailers over preview pictures. I've purchased scenes in the past based on the preview pictures, and ended up disliking the scene.
Obviously my personal preference would be a nice long trailer that shows all the best bits.
As for what would be most likely to make me buy a scene, I think a combination of a trailer and pics works best. The trailer gives an idea of how well the scene is filmed, the personality of the stars, and enough to give an idea of what the mess is like. The pics can then go further and show still pics from further into the scene, for instance, without spoiling the video.
TinaDivaGunge said: Interesting thread this, and I've been debating my thoughts for a while!
I think in general terms, and with producers I'm familiar with, pics are more than sufficient to gauge whether the scene is one that I'd look to purchase.
That said, I do think for newer producers, some trailers are valuable both to confirm the definition quality advertised but just to give an insight into the sort of way things are filmed, model interactions and so on. In short, for me, if I've bought before from a company then pics are fine, if not, I'd probably seek out a sample trailer beforehand.
Keep up the great work!
Probably why I did a couple of decent trailers for our production and might do another for phase 2. As hard as C4S tries, in relation of making an impactful trailer, their preview generators fall short. They fill the gap well enough to make sure you're buying the right scene in question but otherwise I would much rather make my own. That and they're just plain fun to do (that and I enjoy being a thorn in Youtubes side )
I've had a bit of a change of heart since my last statement so I'm going to make a slight change. While I still remain pro trailers I don't think they are necessary for every clip. As far as WAM content goes I'm strictly only into the wrestling clips so for that I still feel trailers are 100% necessary because you want to make sure the action is up to your particular standards. I personally don't need the performers executing MMA moves or lucha acrobatics by any means but if the women involved are just splashing around giggling or just face dunking I don't want to see just that either. I'm paying for WAM WRESTLING so I expect to see something resembling WRESTLING and a decent trailer can tell me that before i waste my money like i have far too many times to count. With that being said I DON'T think trailers are necessary for regular sploshing or gunge videos. There's not much detail a trailer can give that regular stills can't provide for that type of content IMO.
jaybee4769 said: I've had a bit of a change of heart since my last statement so I'm going to make a slight change. While I still remain pro trailers I don't think they are necessary for every clip. As far as WAM content goes I'm strictly only into the wrestling clips so for that I still feel trailers are 100% necessary because you want to make sure the action is up to your particular standards. I personally don't need the performers executing MMA moves or lucha acrobatics by any means but if the women involved are just splashing around giggling or just face dunking I don't want to see just that either. I'm paying for WAM WRESTLING so I expect to see something resembling WRESTLING and a decent trailer can tell me that before i waste my money like i have far too many times to count. With that being said I DON'T think trailers are necessary for regular sploshing or gunge videos. There's not much detail a trailer can give that regular stills can't provide for that type of content IMO.
This is precisely why I try to use trailers to showcase our work. I'm picky. I know what I want to see and it always seems to be too much emphasis on any one thing and I would like to try to check as many boxes as possible while still remaining true to form. It is really hard to capture fetish wrestling action with just stills. You really have to visually display the action through trailers
When looking at a preview I try to get a sense of two things; how the mess seems to look on them, and if the model is doing a decent job of acting and playing up the humiliation angle. Sometimes if one of these two things are working for me, that's enough for me to make a purchase. For the main question, I guess that a trailer gets across these things more reliably but it's not always necessary.