Sponsorship is an integral part of the film industry. It helps filmmakers cover their costs, and it also gives them a chance to connect with people who care about their work. You can find sponsors for your film in many ways, but these four tips will help you get started on the right foot.
Start a Blog
Start blogging about your film and get to know people who care by sharing it with them. You can show the world what you’re doing, how you work, and why they somehow become involved. Blogs are one of the top ways for filmmakers to connect directly with their audience, so start building that relationship early on.
Make a Short Film
Another great way to start connecting with people interested in your next project is by making a short film. Not only does this give you something to share and blog about, but it also gives potential sponsors a taste of what’s to come from you as a director or crew member. It can also help build buzz for your feature.
You can also use a short film to introduce your campaign or project and build that audience before you even begin shooting. If people like what they see in the short term, they’ll be more likely to support the entire project when it comes time for crowdfunding. It helps if you’re very passionate about your subject matter.
Make a List of Film Sponsors
You can start your search for sponsors by making a spreadsheet that includes anything and everything you think might be interesting about the project. If it’s an indie feature, put down who you’ve worked with in the past and what films they were involved with to get new ideas on finding potential partners. You should also include any companies you think might be a good fit for your project.
Every company has its values and personality. So look at the list of sponsors as an opportunity to connect with people most interested in the project. Ask yourself how they want to portray themselves in terms of style or content, then search their social media profiles to see how they’re already doing that. It’s a good idea to have an educated guess before you start reaching out, so look around and get familiar with their brand.
Reach Out
Once you have a list of potential sponsors, it’s time to start reaching out. You can email them directly or find contact information on their website and send a message through the site. Try not to be too intimidated when it comes to reaching out to larger investors. If your project is unique enough that they’re willing to take a chance on you, they’ll make the time for it.
Depending on what type of project you’re creating and who your sponsors are, some outreach methods will be more effective than others. For example, if one of your potential partners is a high-end fashion company that’s not familiar with indie films, then an email probably won’t do much for you. You’ll need to connect with them through social media and show that your project has a following who will be interested in what they’re creating, too, so find out how else you can reach out and build those relationships.