When audiences are constantly seeking new entertainment content, there has never been a better time to flex your filmmaking muscles and create a short film. And what better way to cashflow your cinematic creation than through a crowdfunding campaign.
If you don’t know what crowdfunding is, what rock have you been hiding under? It’s the most engaging and inclusive approach to getting creative projects made. Gaining you not only essential funds to make your short film, but also an advocating audience as a result.
However, don’t get too excited and rush into launching your first crowdfunding campaign just yet. Be prepared; it’s not a guaranteed success. Effective campaigns take a lot of effort, meticulous planning and a captivating execution in order to hit their goal.
So, before you start, get the know-how with these 10 key tips for crowdfunding your next short film;
1. Be a Pro. Do your research
The beauty of the crowdfunding model is you have other film-based campaigns results just like yours, at your fingertips.
Study not only on the successful campaigns, but also those that didn’t make it. You can learn a lot from what your predecessors have done or not done before.
Do this while planning your campaign, implementing the knowledge gained at the start to help with your chances of success.
2. Compile and compel your contacts
Remember those little fundraising gigs from school, when you could guarantee a quid from parents, grandparents, aunts & uncles – even neighbours would dip into their wallets to help you out.
That same approach applies now. These folks are your biggest fans and are bound to back you first.
Next, list everyone associated with any film projects you’re involved in and anyone related to the industry who you know. Ask them to back you when the time comes.
Lastly, find an organic audience interested in short films, through social media groups, online forums and publications to lure towards your project.
Essentially, once you’ve made the decision to run a campaign, you should tell all, so you have a hit list to target when it goes live.
3. Marketing begins now... and it never ends
You can’t expect that when your campaign launches the backers will simply come. In the lead up, make people aware and curious that you’re launching something, so that it’s on their radar ahead of time.
Furthermore, during your campaign and when it ends, the marketing continues. Think about delivering to the people who invested in you. And what about your next project? You need to keep up the momentum. No one said this was going to be easy.
4. Understand the crowdfunding timeline
Every campaign timeline has a classic “U” shape curve. Usually, it starts off strong, then there’s a lull before an upswing at the end as you push towards reaching your goal amount.
Having tactics to draw more backers to your campaign during the lull is imperative to keep your spirits up – this is where your meticulous planning comes into play.
5. Don’t let it drag
Most platforms run 30, 45, 60 or 90-day campaigns. 30 or 45 days is optimum in order to avoid fatigue and losing backers interest. You’ve more chance of success if you go hard for a shorter amount of time, provided you’ve put in the prep work beforehand.
6. Have a powerful pitch video
If you can’t master this, consider your skills as a filmmaker. Your pitch video should sum up your project perfectly in under 2 minutes. It’s the first, and possibly only thing potential backers will look at before deciding whether to back you.
The key ingredients for your pitch video should include;
What the films premise is
Where the money will be spent
Why backers should invest in this short film
How they can back you
First, grab the audience’s attention. Secondly, tell them what you’re doing and finally, tap into their emotional side and ask for funding.
7. Rewards should be Priceless
Don’t waste your time on costly, meaningless rewards that require shipping. Be creative with what you offer your backers to thank them. Some great cost-free ideas for high pledge amounts include;
- Spend the day on set
- Name a minor character or location
- VIP invitation to the screening
- Meet and greet with key cast & crew
8. Kick off with a bang
Roll out a series of teasers, reminders and a countdown on social media, email, flyers and potentially traditional media, in the lead up to your launch.
Then, when it’s go-time, the campaign will be off to a strong start. It’s all about creating suspense, hype and calling on your friends and fam immediately to get the pledges rolling in.
You can then use this to promote the campaign and entice the herd to follow.
9. Learn to juggle...
It’s going to be an intense time when your campaign is live. Hopefully, pledges will be coming in regularly, you’ll have messages and comments to respond to while still pushing the campaign for more traction and juggling life itself.
Stay on top of your progress and update your progress feed weekly, if not every few days. Consider providing new and varied ways of doing so, such as; video content, live thank you’s and BTS footage from set.
Stick to your promises and inform your pledgers of the outcome after your campaign ends.
They should also be the first to know when you have a finished production ready to screen.
10. Lastly, give back
There’s nothing more satisfying than the gift of giving back. Become part of the crowdfunding community and back projects yourself. This might even give you a network to other filmmakers, but even just being able to repay with a pledge or two yourself will give you the appreciation for your backers if nothing else.
Author Bio
Video Collective is a FREE UK Film & TV Job board. Whether you need professional freelance crew for a shoot or are looking for Film & TV jobs then check out our website. We also have a discount code section, course directory and various other filmmaker resources. Made by freelancers, for freelancers.
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