trying to build an email list for our indie feature film question?

I've been involved with the marketing of independent films... documentaries. Figure out who your film is speaking to, your core audience.. what they care about and where they hang out.

Press releases will play a major role in promotion.. getting the stars of your film to be interviewed... it's pretty easy tbh.

Don't forget to send review copies to prominent bloggers and figures in your niche, and include a set of prepared questions for them to ask the stars and director.

And use quotes and review snippets on your promo material.

Don't just release trailers, turn them into events.. so announce the date the trailer will be released in advance.. again keep talking to the media.. when one journalist covers your story, use that to your advantage to open the door to other journalists.

Don't depend on just one trailer, each time you release one interest will increase. So will the hype...

Keep an eye on mentions on Google trends and across social media, and in Google News.

I suppose you need to decide what YOU want to achieve with it.. what kind of reach you're looking for?

Get into the film festivals early.. talk to them A LOT.

When you're pushing it outside of the festivals, If you can, organise special screenings of your film before it hits DVD or whatever format you're hoping to achieve widespread release with...

Invite prominent figures and journalists to screenings, and if you're able to make it a mobile operation, moving from theatre to theatre, do so to build momentum around it. Or even better, if you can have a synchronized 'early' release that builds on the hype you built with the media.

For your email list, offer them something special that only subscribers will get.. it could be some of the DVD bonus content like deleted scenes or a gag reel.

Make sure your optin form is above the fold and it's highly visible.

I could go on and on..and I've gone off on a tangent.. but bleh.. others around here are probably better with this stuff than me. So I'll let them chime in.

thanks, that's pretty helpful the site (somewhat under construction still, is viciousthemovie.com) and yeah, the audience is mostly males 18-40 yo mostly

You're welcome, good luck with it.. hope it does well for you buddy.

I'd model Louis C.K. and how he is distributing his specials, all online:

https://louisck.net/

start talking to reporters and bloggers about movies or the theme of your movie:

https://www.helpareporter.com/

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Best of luck,
Ike Paz

I write screenplays, among other formats, and I've put together probably more than my fair share of similar projects; similar genre, too.

You need 2 websites:

• Production Company.
• Specific Movie.

And both websites are entirely different - in terms of structure and, indeed, purpose.

Your production company website should be developed with a long-term view to growing awareness of your catalogue of movies. It should be viewed in that light, whether or not this is your first movie or your tenth.

Your specific movie website should be an experience. In other words, you use this website to elicit from visitors the same kind of experience they might receive from watching the full movie.

So, obviously, the branding, marketing, and development structure of both ventures will be quite different; entirely different in some cases. To get a little more insight into what I'm talking about here, take a look at some of these websites, and then compare them to the production company websites.

Now, you're right to grow a newsletter, and I'll give you a nice tip in a moment, but you also need to concentrate on SEO, socials, video sharing, social bookmarking, and JVs. In other words: primarily those 5 areas will drive the traffic. It depends on the movie and where you live, but you can also look into offline promotion. And, if you distribute it yourself, then I'd also consider setting up an affiliate program, or go the easy route through Amazon (in-built affiliate program).

Newsletter. You obviously need to give people a reason to subscribe, and the tactics you'll use for this type of project can differ quite a lot from most other ventures. To incentivize opt-ins, you can consider giving away any or all of the following: PDF screenplay, digitally signed merch, private access to behind-the-scenes membership area, a chance to win something; such as a hard-copy signed script, pictures, blu-ray/ DVD, executive producer credit, an extra role in the next film, etc.

I'm a little short on time this morning (Mondays, gotta love Mondays). If you like, I'll add a little more to the above when I have a few spare minutes.

- Tom

Try Google Adwords for Video (Youtube ads)

1 usd x 1000 view of the trailer...

You should start using popups on your site. they are proven to double your subscriptions. you can check out my blog for more info about the benefits and where to go to get it. Internet Marketing Frenzy - Affiliate Marketing, Email Marketing, Internet Marketing, Tips & TricksInternet Marketing Frenzy | Affiliate Marketing, Email Marketing, Internet Marketing, Tips & Tricks

Try promoting in niche facebook groups, youtube and reddit!