It is now possible for any aspiring filmmaker to produce an independent film on a shoestring budget. The necessary equipment to shoot a movie, and the software required to edit it afterward, is now available at a price that isn’t anywhere near as high or prohibitive as it used to be. If you are involved in the production of an independent film, then you will know how important the marketing aspect of the process is. Without a focused marketing strategy, all your hard work will have been for nothing!
Marketing an independent film requires a different approach to marketing a mainstream blockbuster. The budget available to an independent filmmaker is often quite small and their marketing strategy will reflect this limitation. However, it is perfectly possible to market a film effectively without spending a huge amount of money. Here are some of the ways that you can effectively market your independent film.
Use Social Media
Social media is a very powerful tool for marketers, not only is there a vast potential audience for every social media site, but social media is the perfect platform for some organic marketing. Organic marketing involves reviews and testimonials from customers, by encouraging them to share their reviews and experiences of your products on their personal social media profiles you will be raising awareness of your product in a natural way.
Share Some Excerpts
Websites such as YouTube and daily motion make it easy to upload video clips to the internet, and to share them with other people. Consider uploading some footage from your film to such a site so that audiences can have a free preview.
Going Viral
Any business with something to sell hopes of going viral but producing a viral marketing campaign is nowhere near as easy as many people assume. If you try and force something to go viral then you are setting yourself up for failure. A viral campaign needs to go viral organically. Audiences are able to see through viral campaigns which are forced or contrived. Such campaigns can, in fact, end up damaging your product or brand image.
Physical Media
Digital distribution is great. It is affordable and easy to do. However, you shouldn’t neglect physical media altogether. Businesses like Copycats Media allow you to have large numbers of DVDs or Blu-Rays duplicated, a process which is much cheaper than other methods of production for physical media.
Competitions and Giveaways
Competitions are a tried and tested method of raising interest in a project and they are very effective when used for this purpose. You will need to have built up some interest in your film already for a competition to be effective, and you will have to think creatively about what prizes you will give away. If your film is due to have a premiere or a screening at a film festival, then consider inviting a competition winner to attend for free.
Marketing an independent film is a crucial ingredient if it is to be successful. A film that isn’t marketed will simply not be seen, even if you are working on a limited budget, so you need to find some way of promoting your independent film.
