As it continues to be an essential aspect of our lives, social media also extends its influence into every industry — including filmmaking. Gone are the days when a successful film career solely relied on traditional methods such as film festivals and word-of-mouth marketing.
Today, part of its success relies on whether the internet jury deems it worthy of praise and virality. That’s why filmmakers (and even major production houses) are incorporating a social media plan into their marketing strategies to connect with their audience and create a loyal global fanbase that will support their work.
This article will explore the role of social media in the world of filmmaking careers. It will discuss why filmmakers should use online social platforms and how they can build their presence on these channels.
Why Filmmakers Should Use Social Media
Social media has revolutionised how filmmakers connect with their audience, fellow professionals, and even investors — making it a valuable platform for networking, audience engagement, and crowdfunding.
It’s a free networking and marketing tool
Online social platforms provide filmmakers a free and accessible way to network and market their work. Through these channels, filmmakers can easily connect with other professionals in the industry, such as producers, agents, and casting directors.
Such connections can lead to new career opportunities like getting hired for a project or collaborating with other professionals on a new film. They can even use social media to grow their following and build a loyal fan base.
Moreover, filmmakers use social media as part of their marketing strategy to promote their work to a global audience for free. They can advertise their films, trailers, and behind-the-scenes content through their online profiles and reach many people within a short period.
Allows you to better connect with your audience
As mentioned, social media is a valuable tool for filmmakers to reach and engage with their target audience. It supports them in forming a deeper and more meaningful connection with their supporters as they respond to questions and comments or share insights into their projects.
Social media also allows for real-time feedback from the audience. This instant commentary enables filmmakers to make sound decisions about their projects. It will also help them strike the balance between giving the audience what they want without sacrificing the quality of the story that they want to tell.
Makes it easier to crowdfund projects
Aside from networking, marketing, and connecting with their audience, social media can also play a role in promoting crowdfunding campaigns and generating interest in the filmmaker’s projects.
By crafting an effective content strategy for social media, filmmakers can build buzz around their projects, reach a wider audience, and generate more funding. This plan can include regular updates on the progress of the project, behind-the-scenes looks at the filmmaking process, and teasers or trailers for the film.
Filmmakers can also use social media to showcase their previous work, giving potential investors a sense of their style and vision that may encourage backers to financially support their projects.
How Filmmakers Can Build Their Online Presence
With the given benefits of using social media for filmmakers, it is apparent that this platform is an indispensable tool to build their online presence. Here are a few ways how filmmakers can leverage the power of online social channels to connect with other professionals in the industry and promote their work to a global audience.
Engage with the audience
When filmmakers actively engage with their audience, they create a sense of community around their work. Something as simple as responding to comments or “liking” posts can make their supporters feel seen and allow them to build a loyal fan base that is invested in their work.
Engaging with the audience also humanises the filmmaker’s brand. By showing their personality, sharing personal stories, and connecting on a more personal level with their followers, filmmakers can create a more relatable and authentic online presence built on trust and credibility.
Share high-quality content
Social media platforms are saturated with content. So, to stand out, filmmakers must create content that is engaging, informative, and visually appealing. Behind-the-scenes clips, teasers, and trailers are some examples of high-quality content that filmmakers can release to engage their audience and build excitement around their project.
Aside from posting on social media, they can also share their content through video email marketing. This strategy enables filmmakers to personalise their promotional content and build better relationships with their audience while keeping their supporters up-to-date on their latest projects.
Interact with other industry professionals
Connecting with other professionals in the industry — be it directors, screenwriters, producers, or actors — enable filmmakers to expand their network, learn from others, and potentially open up new opportunities for collaboration and growth.
Interacting with them online is a good way to start, since it’s relatively easy and doesn’t usually require a formal introduction. Doing so not only allows filmmakers to establish a good connection with industry professionals but can also help them gain new supporters and online traffic as the audience of the person they are connecting with takes interest in them.
Run social media ads
The strategies given above are also essential to building an online presence, but they can only go so far. One way filmmakers can reach a wider audience and boost the discoverability of their brand and project online is by running ads.
This method enables them to target their ideal audience to increase the chances of engagement and increase their following. Social media ads can also help in making films go viral as they increase the exposure of the project to more people.
Final Thoughts
There is no doubt that social media has been and will continue to be an essential tool in building a filmmaker’s career. It’s through this platform that they can easily network with other professionals, connect with their audience, raise awareness of their work, and open new opportunities.
Still, there is a lot of work that needs to be done. Consistently engaging with their supporters, sharing content, interacting with fellow industry professionals, and even running ads are some of the things filmmakers can do to build a strong online presence and establish a solid community around their work.
Chatty is a freelance writer from Manila. She finds joy in inspiring and educating others through writing. That’s why aside from her job as a language evaluator for local and international students, she spends her leisure time writing about various topics such as lifestyle, technology, and business.
