Social Media Tips That Every Filmmaker Should Know

Social media can be a powerful tool when it comes to promoting your film or venture - Twitter, Facebook and other platforms can all be played to your advantage when it comes to generating a buzz around your latest project. But just how can you maximize the impact that you make?

By contacting related organisations and companies who might be able to lend you a helping hand in social media, you can reach new audiences and draw added attention to yourself.

Here's the tip:
Don't just drop them a vague email asking them to tweet about your work or send a barrage of word documents for them to download and read. It's too time consuming and they'll be tempted to hit the 'life's too short' DELETE button.

Instead, create a solid social media toolkit and make it easy for these people to do you a favor! Explain why you're getting in touch and compile a compact list of tweets, Facebook statuses, newsletter posts, sized photos and any links you want them to share.

With Raindance's signature producing class Lo-to-No Budget Filmmaking coming up in May, I thought I'd give it a go and create a social media toolkit for the course.

So, without further ado, here's my attempt at a social media toolkit and a few words of wisdom (mostly imparted to me by Elliot!) along the way.

Opening Email:

It’s important to start your toolkit with a quick and polite email or phone call explaining why you are contacting them. Who, what, when, where and why are the main questions you should aim to answer. Make sure to include the raw links to everything you want to share at the end of your posts.

I’m writing on behalf of the Raindance Film Festival to let you know about one of our upcoming classes in hope that you might be able to put out some posts on your social media platforms. Taking place on the 23rd and 24th MAy in Toronto and May 30 and 31st in New York, the Lo-to-No Budget Filmmaking weekend course aims to demystify the film industry and show filmmakers that it’s possible to make a great film even on a minimal budget. Any posts you could make will be greatly appreciated, please find our social media toolkit below.

Social Media:

Twitter

Try to list 3 tweets and make them as different and contrasting as possible-they should be each be unique little twitter snowflakes! 

1) You need a million plus to make a movie these days, right? Wrong! @Raindance’s legendary Lo-to-No Budget Filmmaking course returns in May http://www.raindance.org/course/lo-to-no-budget-filmmaking/

2) #Filmmakers, want the big scary industry of film demystified? Don’t miss Elliot Grove’s Lo-to-No Budget Filmmaking course at @Raindance http://www.raindance.org/course/lo-to-no-budget-filmmaking/

3) Learn to fake a million pound budget and avoid 3 big #filmmaking mistakes with the Lo-to-No Budget Filmmaking course at @Raindance http://www.raindance.org/course/lo-to-no-budget-filmmaking/

Facebook

Whilst this post can be a little longer and include more information, make sure that it’s still sharp and interesting. Aim for 35-50 words and include a well-sized image for them to post alongside the status update.

Show me the money! Are you a filmmaker wanting to make a movie but don’t know where to start? Raindance’s Lo-to-No Budget Filmmaking course returns to Toronto on May 23/24th and for the first time ever in New York on May 30/31 and is filled with tips and secrets on how to make your movies look great on a minimal budget http://www.raindance.org/course/lo-to-no-budget-filmmaking/

Raindance’s signature film producing class Lo-to-No Budget Filmmaking returns to Toronto and New York in may.

Do you want to make a movie but don’t know where to start? Have the film industry demystified in one weekend and learn how to shoot, edit and direct your film on even the most minimal of budgets.

With alumni including the writers, directors or producers of Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Shawn of the Dead and Momento, the Lo-to-No Budget Filmmaking course will teach you insider tips and set you on the path to filmmaking success.

Don’t miss out and book your place now!

http://www.raindance.org/course/lo-to-no-budget-filmmaking/

Ellen Selby

Ellen is an intern at Raindance, learning all about how an independent film festival operates on a day to day basis.

Born and raised in Southampton, Ellen has recently graduated from the University of Kent in English Literature and Film Studies. A lover of art, music and, of course, film, she can't think of many things better than going to the cinema and watching a great movie.

Ellen hopes to one day work in film promotion and turn her passion for cinema into a career.

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