How To Market Your Film Online

I have just completed my latest film 'War Is A Bitch.' The film tells the story of six brave female soldiers deployed on a secret mission to assassinate a political leader. I believe it is the first film of its kind to reveal the politics of war from a female perspective. Although it was a great accomplishment, I didn't realize that for me the battle was far from over.

The film's title, 'War Is A Bitch,' expresses the truth of what filmmaking is like. Although shooting went well, I felt that each step of the way was like fighting a war. After we wrapped, I was amazed at how much work still lay ahead of me. I am not only talking about post-production. What many filmmakers fail to realize is that with the new digital age, including YouTube, anyone can make a movie. So, when one claims to be a filmmaker it does little to impress. What will separate you from everyone else is how skilled you are at marketing your film. This will be an important determining factor in your success. Of course, a good film with a unique subject matter doesn't hurt.

But, assuming you have a great film, marketing is a key element. For my films, I started online, creating Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace pages, a blog and a website. I wanted to generate as much online exposure as possible but I didn't want to create sites that were static. That's where I believe most filmmakers miss the boat. The goal should not be to simply create these online experiences, but rather to start them and let your viewers take over, get them involved. You want to create an organic buzz; one that has legs of its own. Some people refer to it as viral marketing: Hollywood calls it 'buzz.' Whatever you call it, the more talk you can generate the better.

I would advise hiring a professional web designer to create your pages for you. Make them interesting and engaging. In fact, to ensure that my online pages stood out, I started my own film web marketing company, RKA Web Creations, Inc., to create and ensure amazing sites for my films, as well as for other filmmakers. But don't forget, it is vitally important that you update your sites periodically. Content generation is an important aspect, one in which we could spend hours discussing. People hate returning to a site to find that it has stagnated or outdated material. One way I tackled this problem, given my busy schedule, was to create an online game based on my film.  A part of this website has a social networking aspect where users can create accounts and profiles much like Facebook. I didn't want the typical site with a trailer and cast and crew info because I have found that user-generated content is the best route take for those on the go.

It used to be that when you finished your film the work was over. You could have your wrap party and celebrate. Things are different now and this calls for filmmakers to take a more active role in their productions from start to finish. Make no mistake; it is a lot of work. But the rewards are more than worth it. When I get emails or see the stats on my sites, I know that people are talking and they're excited- I'm creating 'buzz.' And that, more than anything, will build your exposure and get your name out there as a filmmaker.

Yes, we are in a new age of 2.0; one that offers a lot more work, and yet more opportunities, than ever before. Because of this, Hollywood will have to bow before the next great filmmaker- one who just may be multifaceted. And he or she won't come alone but with a mass following of loyal online viewers. How this will affect the direction of the industry is anyone's guess. But, rest assured, it will be exciting.

About the Author:

Ronald K. Armstrong is a writer and independent filmmaker. He also has developed his own area of filmmaking called "Web Filmmaking 2.0" where he designs and builds sites to help indie filmmakers market and distribute their films. He has just recently completed he lasted film 'War Is A Bitch' http://www.warisabitch.com