Marketing: Where to Spend the $$$

[Nate North]

Hey Dejaeger,

Send me some of your art and production resources, and I'll hammer out a good box cover for you.

Don't bother with adwords, as mentioned above.

You might want to invest that money into an smaller agent that comes recommended. They may be able to secure you a small distro deal, and that is worth more than selling 1000 copies via facebook.

[wheatgrinder]

Originally Posted by GuerrillaAngel

I see what you mean. To an extent. You're right.

Hey, your link showed me the "create a page" link which has led me to this.. which I think is how the Cowboys and Aliens page is working..

http://wpmu.org/how-to-create-a-cust...ing-wordpress/

Alright, there are many ways to get a custom facebook look, didnt even know.. just started poking..

see "Wheatgrinder" in facebook.. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wheatg...06878476015645

[DeJager]

Nate,

Thanks so much!! I'll PM you for details.

And wheatgrinder, that's exactly what I was referring to when I said "custom facebook page". I'm excited!

[wheatgrinder]

yeah, there's a bunch of stuff that can be done I had no idea either...
Just figured out how to embed another web page in my site..

http://www.hyperarts.com/blog/adding...book-fan-page/

some is outdated, but I got youtube and vimeo video playing filling the canvas width.. its easy, you just have to create an facebook app that just loads your html\php content..

[DeJager]

I'm glad we are both learning something!! It looks like you are having fun with it.

[wheatgrinder]

I had to shut down the wheatgrinder productions page, starting getting traffic, its not ready! I just started playing today!

[wheatgrinder]

dang you IT.. I should be home working on my film, instead Im playing with FB customizations..

[DeJager]

Originally Posted by wheatgrinder

dang you IT.. I should be home working on my film, instead Im playing with FB customizations..

hahahaha

[Psychosis Media]

As a person who has worked in a marketing department ill give some advice.....

1st make a reconisable brand name...that should include the movie and your production company.

2nd as people said network!!! its free and it works...use youtube (some clips of a exciting scean..and a preview or 2 or even a music video if you have some orginal music) facebook and twitter...these are standerd marketing website tools that ALL!!!!! business use. Dosent matter what they sell thoes 3 sites are standard! but make sure when you launch to update posts/blogs alot! Also contact a local paper about your film..most towns and citys like to write about hometown peeps doing cool things..(unless your in hollywood..these is no chance for a write up there!)

3rd Know your audience. If its scifi then see if there is a local scifi con to preview or even preimer your movie. you need to get the word out and these conventions are great ways to interact with your audience...if its cheep enough get a table at the dealers room. Also contact local comic book stores and other brick & morter store that may buy a few copies...but you need to find and try to interact with your audience.

4th online stores amazon and such are taking over and netflix with their dloaded movies even more so! contact these places to see if you can get the movie on their sites.

5th yes a good website is needed! look around and research which websites are getting alot of traffic. take the best elements and make them your own.

6th if people offer free art work i would look into it, but be warned! you need to be specific on your vision! just dont take any art work. if you dont like something speak up. all said and done you are the boss. If you dont like it ..well u dont like it! take charge..be open to suggestions ..but stick to your guns a little.

[chuckjoe42]

A trailer is critical. For the website, you can get a pretty decent looking site for cheap by tapping into Wordpress Themes (some video focused themes: http://www.premiumwp.com/best-video-wordpress-themes/ )

I agree that the free marketing you can do on Facebook and Twitter is effective. If you have some budget, highly targeted Facebook ads to build fans can be a good move. This helps you branch out of the usual friends & family group to start to tap a new audience. Geo-targeting to places where you will be screening is a good way to capitalize.

Get your trailer up on YouTube and use that as your main video piece to push. Building up views and Fans help increase credibility in your film as well as exposure to potential fans.

[TheNoob]

Just advertise your own film. Use guerrilla marketing techniques.

[DeJager]

I'll keep you all updated when I make the decisions and when I can I'll let you know whether or not the decisions and allocation of $$ paid off.