You're completing your film. You have solved major problems, you make critical decisions every day, your instinct has driven you this far. Now it's time to begin marketing your film, where do you start?
I believe in instinct, I think you know what's right for you, and what isn't.
These five considerations are provided to you to give you a context in which you can apply your own instincts:
1. Cast
Higher level media coverage of films is primarily driven by cast. The better known your cast is, the higher the probability that you will obtain media coverage. This goes for distribution as well. If you are producing a film and planning on approaching potential distributors later, you will quickly learn that the number one question potential distributors ask is "Who is in your cast?"
2. Where will your film be available to the audience?
Media outlets don't want to cover films which their audiences cannot view. So if you are screening in a festival, or planning a promotional screening, and it's six to eight weeks away, regional media outlets may be receptive to covering your film if they deem it newsworthy, and if there's a way their audiences can see your film.
3. Know Your Film's Audience Demographics
Films generally appeal to specific market segments, a film on fashion would be of interest to fashion magazines, and so on. You will need to define exactly what your audience will gain from seeing your film, then use that as the press hook you offer to media outlets serving your audience.
4. What talent is available for in-person interview, and when?
When promoting an upcoming screening, media outlets love to speak with onscreen talent. So when you approach media outlets with your story, you will need to let them know when your talent will be available for interview in their offices or studios.
5. Be Prepared! Be sure that you have all of your promotional materials complete and available before approaching media outlets.
In addition to your press release, you should have your trailer, some promo clips, and some production photos immediately available when you make your initial media contact, so the media outlets can figure out how you and your film will fit into their schedules.
These are basically your same considerations if you do not yet have a distributor.
If you need any assistance with promoting your film to the audience, or potential distributors, just get in touch with me. I've promoted over thirty-five films, and worked with an Academy Award Winner for ten years.
Let's make things happen!
Steve Thompson
Thompson Communications
856-942-4434
steve@thomcomm.com
