Crowdfunding can back your film, but it takes more than posting a project. Filmmaker Klaudia Kovacs shares tips for launching your first campaign.
By now, it has become obvious to many, that crowd funding can be a great venue for financial backing, however, it does requires much more than just putting your project on a site and hitting up your friends and family. Indeed, if you want to raise $500-$1000, it can be quite easy, but if you want to fund a larger project and you need significant amount of money, crowd funding becomes a whole different ball game.
A successful crowd funding campaign takes serious preparation. The name of the process gives it away; for you to raise a nice chunk of money, you actually need a crowd who is willing to donate. If you do not have a crowd, you need to create it first.
For the most part, whatever business you are in, building a crowd will be the most important tool for your success. Andrew Carnegie, who at one point was the richest man in the world, said: “Take away my factories, but leave my people, and soon we will have a new and better factory.”
Building your group can happen several ways. Here are three steps to help you get started.
(1.) Create an Email / Mailing List
Make sure to add anyone and everyone you know. Most people know more people than they think they know. Here are some examples whom you can add to your list: family members, friends, acquaintances, colleagues, people from your phone and Facebook, neighborhood members, companies whose services you use, non-profits you donate to, non-profits with similar causes, churches, societies, local libraries, art organizations, consulates, embassies, various organizations, publications you read, websites you visit, online communities, travel agencies, etc.
(2.) Create a Business Card Book.
Having a physical piece of paper in hand helps many people to remember a friend better. And remembering each person clearly does become a challenge when your list starts growing.
(3.) Start an Intense PR/Marketing/Advertisement Campaign
The so-called “Rule of Seven” means that your people need to be reached seven times before they get involved actively. Part of your campaign could be: creating a website and social media sites, publishing a newsletter or blog, writing press releases, get listed on other people’s sites, shooting a video, taking photos of your progress, etc. Generally speaking, the more you do the better results you can expect. Do not feel bad if all this sounds overwhelming. Most people do need some assistance to put an effective campaign together. Fundraising is a forte, a specialized skill and knowledge.
I suggest for you to give it a try on your own first. However, if you do not see the results you want within a few months, turn to an expert.
Klaudia Kovács created, directed, and produced the multi-award-winning, feature-length documentary, “Torn from the Flag.” She has garnered several awards as an actress and acted in the film “InBetween,” which was selected for the 53rd Cannes Film Festival’s Univers Elle 2000 program. As a writer she is a co-author of “Hungarian America” (2002) and “Portrait Gallery of Hungarian Americans” (2003). Kovacs is in high demand as a consultant for independent film projects. www.MySuccessConsultant.com, www.TornFromTheFlag.com
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