That's okay, because more and more companies are coming out to support new filmmakers and you may be looking for them while they are looking for you.
The average Joe isn't interested in many of the movies that come out on the big screen like you assume. Instead, he is more interested in what is happening in his own neighborhood and his wife is just as interested. Why is it your family movie hasn't been shown at the local high school gymnasium, church or your R rated movie at the neighborhood bar? What about working with the owner of the neighborhood video store to get it in his or her store? Why don't we see fliers promoting your movie? How come you haven't bothered to employ your local college students to help you get the word out about your movie?
Some filmmakers have no professional affiliations and that causes many obstacles for them as well. How do filmmakers know how to successfully market their movies when they don't bother to put into action what they observe others are doing?
Twelve marketing strategies filmmakers are presently using in their marketing campaigns include:
1) Creating a website about their film.
Filmmakers provide a simple teaser that draws the viewer into the film wanting more than they cut it, leaving you wanting for more. Every site has contact information which is easily found and all links are fully functional.
2) Maintaining blogs about their film.
Everyday someone is posting something on the site related to the synopsis of the film, photographs, the company or individuals involved with the production, or some other related information.
3) Registering with social networking websites.
Whether they are adding friends, keeping the ?about me? section current or discussing related topics to the film in the chat rooms, they are keeping communication live about their film.
4) Sending press releases to Internet and local media outlets.
Every local media outlet that bothers to print a press release has received something about the film whether it is a short, a poster, or something else that promotes their new film.
5) Distributing fliers to local movie, book and music stores.
The information is professionally designed and easily accessible in the store. Sometimes it is located next to those free neighborhood newspapers.
6) Purchasing email lists.
The filmmaker has an idea of who his or her target market is such as what gender, age group, background and general film interest of the person who may be watching the film. With this information he or she knows what kind of email list to buy.
7) Professional memberships related to the film industry.
He or she is networking with other people who may be able to assist him or her with the film. The bigger the circle the more opportunities to meet the right person or group.
8) Getting listed in internet movie databases.
The average Joe should be able to get online and find your movie in someone's database, if he or she can't find you somewhere, then you know you have a lot of work to do. Try this, type the name of your film in the search engine window, if it doesn't show up on the first page, this is a good indication that you haven't been doing a good job marketing it. Find someone who can write an article about you, your company and the film. Then have an article distribution service distribute it to other article websites (this tactic is called article marketing.) Once you get this done, watch how easy it will be to locate information about your film online when someone searches for you.
9) Hosting screening parties.
No more partying for the pure joy of it, filmmakers use every opportunity to party as a way to get their film out there. Change the typical way you host parties.
10) Uploading movie stills to photography sites.
Look at what other filmmakers have done with this, just type in an independent film you really like and see what kind of presence they have on the photography site.
11) Uploading trailers to video sites.
Once again, see what your competitors have done with this, then go to a site that offers books on the subject rather than visiting someone's freebie site. You will want to get the instructions on doing this right the first time. Wasted time is money lost, learn from professionals.
12) Offering freebies such as t-shirts and posters advertising their film.
People love free stuff, so if you can give things away related to your movie, do it, in time you will get something in return for your efforts, fans!
All of these tactics take time to implement. Take a task each day from this list and work on it until you have completed all twelve. Once you have finished these duties, start looking for other ideas you can accomplish within a certain deadline you have set for yourself. Without a deadline, you won't get anything done. To your success!
You have decided to launch your new speaking career, but how do you market yourself?Remember, you now have to become a marketing person as well! Even if you are represented by an agency, association, whatever, in the end you’re responsible for booking yourself. If you're just starting a speaking career and don't know how to start marketing yourself, here are a few tips.1. You are a walking billboard! Keep in mind that where ever you go you are a marketing yourself. How you look, act, whatever is being watched and measured by potential customers. Always dress for success. This business casual thing can get you in trouble quick. Remember, you can always dress down not up at a venue. If your audience is in a casual state, ask them if they would mind id you removed your jacket and tie. But be careful here. Personally I don’t ever dress down – NEVER! I may make humor about it as I call it my Guido look. It always gets a laugh and puts them at ease.2. Join speaking organizations and network as much as you can!The Professional Speakers Guild - is an international organization of speakers, trainers, authors and other communications and meeting professionals who have come together to pursue common goals, share their experience, raise industry standards, and improve their ability to achieve satisfying and rewarding careers through the process of providing added value to their clients. Affordable membership without strict previous speaking requirements.The National Speakers Association – is the leading educational and networking organization for professional speakers! NSA is a national not-for-profit association with thousands of members across the United States. Costly fees and stringent requirements to join. This organization should be set as a goal to reach. Toastmasters -This organization affords speakers the opportunity to hone and perfect their skills. They hold regular meetings and have chapters all over the United States. Minimal costs local chapters, a great place to hone your skills.The American Seminar Leaders' Association -is an international association of seminar leaders and coaches who seek to enhance their professional skills and market their products and services more effectively. We assist individuals in assimilating their knowledge and skills into a seminar format. ASLA has trained over 5,000 members from all professions and each becomes an expert in their field. A little pricey for what you get.2. Create a Portfolio - As a speaker, your promotional kit is your primary marketing tool. It houses everything speaker bureaus and meeting planners expect to see when deciding who to hire for a particular event. Through years of experience in working with top speakers, we've developed a unique speakers promotional kit which Generally they should include, presentation folder specific to your content, bureau-friendly components as a content sheet, bio, testimonials, educational materials, sample client list, a demo video; business card; and letterhead. 3.Get with your Local Library Libraries in most major cities have access to outstanding resources where you can find places where you'll be paid to speak. The value of a library is they have a wealth of expensive directories such as: Directories, American Business Disk CD-Rom Directory of Different Businesses, Media Week Directory (Annual), Different radio, cable TV Stations, Addresses, Yellow Pages 4. Local Chamber of Commerce They're in the position to hire speakers and if you join the Chamber of Commerce, you'll meet people in the position to hire you. 5. Develop a web site! This today is a critical element of your marketing strategy. When your byline appears in articles, make it easy for people interested in your topic to contact you online! Create titles that will get the immediate attention of buyers, audience and list them on your web! Add voice .wav file to your intro and if you can a short video of you in action. 6. Product Marketing - It has been proven that product sales from your speaking engagements will bring in the money. Many professional speakers will tell you that their major source of income, upwards of 60%, comes from after market products offered on their web site. CD’s, DVD’s, ebooks, etc. Many people cannot make it to seminars but they will purchase your seminars via the aforementioned media. Marketing yourself is not easy and can get costly, but weigh the alternative, no marketing no business. Follow the ABC Rule, “Always Be Closing!” Finally, remember you are a walking billboard, how you present yourself will reflect on your business.For more on our series contact us or visit our website www.dseconsultinginc.com/talk
Both Nicholl Mcguire & Dale A. Simmons Simmons are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.