One thing I have learned from friends who've made independent films is that you have to begin promoting your film the minute it's complete... as a matter of fact, do not wait, the moment you have a title run with it. This is your baby, your little brain-child so get out there and promote. Large studios have their own publicity departments however the little guy or gal has nothing but their reputation by word of mouth. In order to build that rep, you need to work at it and there are numerous tools that you have available to you.
Previously there were only billboards or newspapers, and later on there was the tv to get the word out there regarding your film. These were actually fairly costly and only the studios could truly afford these avenues. The rise of Internet has impacted marketing of independent film and the entire film industry as whole. You will find so many different promotional tools that it offers you, it is hard to select. The best thing to do is hit them all because you'll need them.
When you're at the starting stages of making your film, start a blog. As soon as you have that going and you're making regular entries turn your attention to making a logo and then a web site. The logo will carry though to many other things but at the moment, it'll help in making your website come together visually. There are services out there which will make a logo for you but, as in all things, it's always better if you do it yourself. The web site could be made by you as well. There any number of websites around which offer domains and website building tools.
Once you've built yourself a website then you can submit it to a search engine. Make T-shirts and hats with your film logo on them. A friend put her logo on panties and sold them. More girls bought those panties. These items made enough money to help her get through post-production. So, after you've made the regular website, head to Myspace and create a Myspace page for your film. After the Myspace page is completed, put something up on YouTube. These are all free for the most part so make the most of them. Music artists have used Myspace to promote their music and it has worked truly well so why not use it for the purposes of promoting film.
Among the simpler things you are able to do is to locate someplace small which shows your kind of film and will be willing to let you show your film. Make some eye-catching fliers and post them at the local college. There's usually an area for student public postings and fliers are all over these boards. College students love to see new and different material so if you can draw them in to view your film, that's a very effective way to build a following (dare I say cult film) particularly if your film is quirky.
This about exhausts all of the free or ultra inexpensive methods of promotion. Once you have your film to the point where you are able to do a premiere showing, you are able to consider preparing Media Kits to distribute to the local TV and radio stations. If you've gotten this big with your movie then you may even need a publicist. Now things are on a roll. Next stop, distribution.
Previously there were only billboards or newspapers, and later on there was the tv to get the word out there regarding your film. These were actually fairly costly and only the studios could truly afford these avenues. The rise of Internet has impacted marketing of independent film and the entire film industry as whole. You will find so many different promotional tools that it offers you, it is hard to select. The best thing to do is hit them all because you'll need them.
When you're at the starting stages of making your film, start a blog. As soon as you have that going and you're making regular entries turn your attention to making a logo and then a web site. The logo will carry though to many other things but at the moment, it'll help in making your website come together visually. There are services out there which will make a logo for you but, as in all things, it's always better if you do it yourself. The web site could be made by you as well. There any number of websites around which offer domains and website building tools.
Once you've built yourself a website then you can submit it to a search engine. Make T-shirts and hats with your film logo on them. A friend put her logo on panties and sold them. More girls bought those panties. These items made enough money to help her get through post-production. So, after you've made the regular website, head to Myspace and create a Myspace page for your film. After the Myspace page is completed, put something up on YouTube. These are all free for the most part so make the most of them. Music artists have used Myspace to promote their music and it has worked truly well so why not use it for the purposes of promoting film.
Among the simpler things you are able to do is to locate someplace small which shows your kind of film and will be willing to let you show your film. Make some eye-catching fliers and post them at the local college. There's usually an area for student public postings and fliers are all over these boards. College students love to see new and different material so if you can draw them in to view your film, that's a very effective way to build a following (dare I say cult film) particularly if your film is quirky.
This about exhausts all of the free or ultra inexpensive methods of promotion. Once you have your film to the point where you are able to do a premiere showing, you are able to consider preparing Media Kits to distribute to the local TV and radio stations. If you've gotten this big with your movie then you may even need a publicist. Now things are on a roll. Next stop, distribution.
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