Your use of social media to promote your film can make or break its success. It’s a tool at your disposal, and its relevancy in the industry isn’t going away, so use it to your advantage! These effective social media strategies for filmmakers will get the right eyes looking at your movie. Build a loyal fanbase with the right marketing plan.
Get To Know Your Audience
To begin with, you need to know your target demographic. Are you making a coming-of-age teen film or an old-fashioned slapstick comedy? Find the people you know will love your movie, and learn what marketing techniques they respond to.
You also don’t have to make a hundred posts a day to catch people’s attention. What times of day give you the most responses? Learn what times work best, but don’t stress out over not getting enough likes or comments. Focus on the people who are responding to you, and reach out to them. Build relationships with the folks who respond well to your work.
Use Platforms Deliberately
Different social media platforms will require different approaches. Twitter allows you to post shorter bursts of information and can be useful in teasing trailers and interviews. Use popular hashtags to put your work in front of others in the industry. Instagram, meanwhile, is an image-based app that works well for sharing posters and behind-the-scenes photos.
Build a Facebook page for your production company so that people can follow you for updates. Facebook accommodates a higher character count than Twitter, so you can speak more at length.
And while popular social media platforms are some of your strongest tools, you’ll also need your own website as a home base. In the event that your social media accounts are suspended without explanation, have your fans sign up for an email list so that you can still provide content for them.
Build a Buzz
Teaser trailers and enigmatic behind-the-scenes snapshots get your audience talking about what your movie could hold. Build mystery and excitement around your film with punchy teasers that build suspense without using all your best footage.
Play with your audience a little bit. When they comment on your photos and posts, respond to them as soon as possible. Let them guess: What do they think your movie’s going to be about? Are they already reacting to the characters and situations? Ask questions and tease possible answers; your viewers will anticipate your film’s release even more.
As you plan to release your masterpiece to the public, think strategically about how to get eyes in front of screens. Pay attention to your audience and actively engage with them! These effective social media strategies for filmmakers will help you deliver your art to the people who will appreciate it the most.
