Maggie Bera tells us on FilmFreeway: How to Build Your Film’s Buzz Before You Call It a Wrap.
This no-nonsense, list-heavy article suggests seven areas indie filmmakers must address if they hope to get any attention focussed on their projects. Maggie says:
- “Set up your film’s online home before you roll camera.
- Assign someone to capture behind-the-scenes content.
- Turn your cast and crew into ambassadors.
- Plan your content before production begins.
- Think beyond the trailer.
- Build an email list before you need one.
- Celebrate every milestone.”
She then lists many steps you can take to accomplish this:
- “Reserve your film’s website domain.
- Create an Instagram account (or dedicate a Highlight on your existing account).
- Write a one-sentence logline and short synopsis.
- Set up a simple landing page with an email signup.
- Choose a consistent username and visual branding.
- Hire a still photographer and capture pictures of: The slate on Day 1, Hair and makeup, Camera and lighting setups, The director working with actors, Crew members collaborating, The monitor during playback, Production design details, A wrap photo after each shooting day.
- Create social media content such as: Meet the cast, Meet the crew, Five questions with our cinematographer, Why I joined this project, Favorite moment from set; utilizing a reusable template in Canva so every cast and crew spotlight has a consistent look.
- Build a social media content creation calendar and add it to your production schedule, including activities like: your first table read, costume fittings, camera tests, location scouts, rehearsals, the first day on set, wrap day, editing sessions, your composer’s recording session, etc.
- Create and post a trailer.
- Also share: production stills, filmmaker interviews, screenplay excerpts, behind-the-scenes photography, and conversations about your creative process. This might include: Storyboards, Prop-building videos, Costume sketches, Lighting diagrams, Editing comparisons, Notes from your director’s notebook, etc.
- Invite people to join your Email List through: Your website, Crowdfunding campaigns, QR codes on business cards, Networking events, Your social media bio, a “Stay Updated” form on your website, etc.
- Share every milestone as a story worth celebrating, such as: Finishing the script, Wrapping principal photography, Picture lock, Composer recording sessions, Color grading, Festival submissions, Festival acceptances, Your first public screening, etc.”
My take: Maggie’s task breakdown for the social media marketing of an indie film is great, both thorough and concise. I love that its unspoken goal is to capture attention online and attract future viewers into the world of your film, to ultimately convert them into super-fans so that they become your ambassadors. Remember, word of mouth is the best form of promotion.
