Audience-Building Tip: How to Market to Bloggers

Crowdfunding involves audience-building first, and fundraising second.  The key to building an audience is NUMBERS... reaching as many people as possible and then of course giving them a clear Call-To-Action once you've grabbed their attention. 

Bloggers Are Influencers...

One key tactic filmmakers can use to build their audience over time is to work with bloggers who write on the same topics, themes and opinions that are addressed, reflected, reinforced or simply explored in their films.  Bloggers are influencers... people who through the consistent delivery of interesting and quality content have built and continue to build a loyal readership.  They are trusted sources of information and thus great partners for filmmakers if they believe in the filmmakers' work.  A blog entry that not only discusses a filmmaker's project, but also includes a Call-To-Action message and a GoGoWidget so the readers know what action to take when they click into the filmmaker's IndieGoGo profile, is a powerful opportunity for a filmmaker to find and engage new fans.

Not a One-Way Street Relationship...

The best part is that it does not have to be a one way street -- i.e. a blogger just doing a favor for the filmmaker.  In fact it shouldn't be just a one-way street.  Bloggers also have needs - one of which is to consistently provide intersting material for their readers.  So the opportunity here for filmmakers is to figure out a way where your project CAN be that interesting piece of content to which the blogger will feel excited about sharing with her readers. 

... Rather it's a Symbiotic Relationship

A key take-away here is that a filmmaker / blogger relationship can be quite symbiotic if it's not forced.  Both individuals have to genuinely respect and want to help the other.  So how does a filmmaker begin to develop these real relationships?  Through time, outreach and starting NOW.

How To Market to Bloggers: Tips

Tim Ferriss is an entrepreneur and author of NY TImes bestseller "The Four Hour Work Week." In a Mashable post today, he breaks down some simple tactics for approaching bloggers.  His comments are geared towards entrepreneurs, but I think his advice is quite useful to all our IndieGoGo filmmakers as a DIWO Filmmaker is by default an entrepreneur.

Use his advice to help you think about, identify and reach out to bloggers where a symbiotic relationship is truly possible.

Tom's key pieces of advice include:

• Start Before You Need Something

• Meet Bloggers in Person

• Don't Be a Promoter

• Don't Join the Crowd

• Be Part of Something Bigger

Read the article HERE or watch Andew's video below for a full explanation of what he means be these tips.

Andrew Warner on Promotion Ideas from Timothy Ferriss from Andrew Warner on Vimeo.

-GoGoDanae

Comments

[Francis Xavier]

Thank you for your interest in Metropolis Pictures Entertainment (www.metpix.com) and the upcoming feature film, Poe. I have attached the synopsis for Poe, a working press release, and a tentative shooting schedule for your review.
We have scheduled a 10 day shoot for Poe beginning in mid-November. To date, we have secured agreements with all of our principle actors including Chuy Bravo from the Chelsea Lately show. The inclusion of Mr. Bravo will ensure us a marketing opportunity for the film via an appearance on the Chelsea Lately show by writer/director Francis Xavier once the film is ready for a premiere. Additionally, we have secured all the props we need from prop master BJ Winslow at Dapper Cadaver. I have attached a list of these props as well. Furthermore, we have scouted the locations we need and have found many excellent settings which will enhance the look and feel of the film.
To make all of this happen, Metropolis Pictures Entertainment is looking for an investment of $12,000. We would prefer a single investor, but would be willing to work with multiple investors giving lesser amounts. What we can offer is a quick and lucrative return on any investment you choose to make. Our last film, Never On Sunday, was filmed in 9 days in early April and premiered 2 months later at the Fairfax Theatre in Los Angeles. Now, only 6 months after principal photography, we have achieved DVD distributions for the film with a November 3, 2009 DVD release date. Additionally, we have been approached by Media 8 Entertainment, who produced and distributed Monster with Academy Award winner Charlize Theron, regarding international distribution for Never On Sunday.
We are prepared and ready to do the same thing again with Poe. Assuming a 10 day shooting schedule in mid-November, we would be prepared to premiere the film by February 2010 at the latest. Any delay beyond that point would be due to additional marketing opportunities that would necessitate a later release date. With the distribution channels that are available to us now, we are confident that we can achieve even more with Poe, due in large part to the fact that we will be shooting in 35mm for the first time.
We are able to shoot a high quality, beautifully photographed, marketable film on such a modest budget for many reasons. First is experience; Metropolis Pictures Entertainment has completed six feature films (all with distribution), a short, The Ear of the Beholder, with Academy Award nominee Sally Kirkland, and numerous television commercials and music videos. We have been together as a company long enough to work on productions like a finely tuned machine. Second is equipment; we have all of our own equipment including a complete post-production facility in house. Third is our unselfishness; we at Metropolis Pictures Entertainment accept deferred payments for our services. We don't inflate the budget to include our salaries, but have a firm belief in the art we are creating and the fact that each film will become profitable at which time we will share in those profits.
I want to thank you again for your interest in Metropolis Pictures Entertainment and the feature film, Poe. Please review the information I have provided and let me know what questions or concerns you may have. If you wish to pursue this opportunity, we can discuss contracts and returns on your investment.

Sincerely,
Francis Xavier
Metropolis Pictures Entertainment
www.metpix.com