6 Marketing Tips to Promote your Film Project on a Shoe-String Budget

Hello! Linette Ho here. I am the Marketing Manager for TELUS STORYHIVE, managing all things marketing, social media, public relations and more. One part of my role that I absolutely love is supporting STORYHIVE content creators in building their own marketing strategies to share their projects with the world.

Curious to learn more about marketing your own content? Read ahead! 

Creating a documentary or video series is no small feat. It takes months, if not years, to research, film and edit your project. And once it's finished, you want as many people as possible to see it. But with the cost of marketing and distribution, it can be hard to know where to start.

Fortunately, there are a number of ways to market your film project on a shoestring budget. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

1. Leverage Social Media
   Social media is a powerful tool that can help you reach and connect directly with your audience. Create accounts on the major social media platforms that make sense for you and begin building your following. Use your accounts to share behind-the-scenes footage, teasers and other exclusive content to build excitement and anticipation for your film project. Posting regular updates allows your audience to feel like they’re invested in your project and success, and keeps your social media channels vibrant and engaging! 

2. Engage with influencers and community groups
   Influencers and community groups have a large following and they can help you reach a new niche. Look for influencers and groups who align with the themes and messages of your film project, and engage with them to help promote. 

3. Host a screening event
   Hosting a screening event is a great way to generate buzz and excitement for your project. Invite your friends, family, the local media and anyone else who may be interested in your project to attend. Make sure to capture footage and photos from the event that you can use to promote your project later.

4. Utilize Publicity
   Create a community outreach list and then start reaching out to your local newspapers, radio stations and television stations to see if they would be interested in running a story about your project. 

5. Use Online Platforms
   Utilize online platforms like YouTube, Vimeo and other platforms that allow people to share and watch videos. You can make use of these platforms to upload trailers and teasers of your project to attract an audience.

6. Get Creative
   One of the great things about having a shoe-string budget is that it forces you to get creative. Don't be afraid to think outside the box and come up with unique and unconventional ways to promote your project. 

Bottom line: Marketing a film project on a shoestring budget can be challenging, but it's not impossible. You have all the tools at your disposal to build a larger audience and get more eyes on your hard work simply by creating content and leveraging the media you create. 

Keep these tips in mind when promoting your next project. It's never too late to start!

Looking for more tips and upcoming funding opportunities? Stay tuned on STORYHIVE’s website and social channels for news and updates. We have so much in store for 2023/24!