10+ Years of Indie Film Crowdfunding Consulting
Services are guaranteed, and payment can be deferredaverage years of Business Leadership on our Indie Film Crowdfunding Team. Each consultant also has a background & degree in psychology as well as experience with independent film producing.
Independent film producers we’ve worked with to get support for specific projects and start-up for production companies.
hours of new training in independent film resources, performance psychology theory, and indie methods each consultant receives each year. We stay on top of new innovations and ideas!
years of experience each independent film funding consultant has in both indie film and performance psychology.
Performance Psychology Framework
Performance Psychology that is designed to help producers reach new levels of motivation, organization, and creativity while also improving satisfaction underlies our work.
Sound Indie Crowdfunding Principles
Tried and true independent film funding principles combined with new developments as far as opportunities and strategy create the best environment for near-term and lasting success.
Crowdfunding for Independent Film
The resut is a powerful and innovative approach to crowdfunding for indie film consulting that brings new level of success to producers and start-up production companies.
Indie Film Crowdfunding Pros and Cons
Indie film crowdfunding has become popular for indie filmmakers to raise funds for their projects. This funding usually involves collecting small contributions from many people, often through online platforms dedicated to crowdfunding. While there are certainly advantages to using this approach, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider.
Of course, we can help. Our services can help you match with the right platform or the investors you hope to attract. But first, you need to know the benefits and challenges.
Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of crowdfunding for independent film:
Indie Film Crowdfunding Pros
Independent Film Crowdfunding and Access to Funding
Crowdfunding for independent film allows filmmakers to access funds without relying solely on traditional financing options like production companies, studios, or personal savings. This democratizes the funding process and will enable filmmakers with innovative ideas to get their projects off the ground. Crowdfunding allows filmmakers to tap into diverse sources of support, potentially reducing the financial risk of relying on a single investor or source.
Market Validation that Can Prove Appeal
Successfully raising funds through crowdfunding can serve as a form of market validation. If people are willing to contribute money to a project, it suggests interest in the film, which can appeal to potential distributors, investors, or festivals. The fact that you were able to attract money through crowdfunding and data such as the number of investors, average investment amount, and length of time it took can all be compelling.
Direct Audience Engagement - build a fanbase
Crowdfunding for independent film enables filmmakers to engage directly with their potential audience. This can help build a loyal fan base even before the film is made, creating a sense of community and excitement around the project. independent film funding campaigns provide opportunities to showcase the filmmaker’s vision, skills, and storytelling ability. This can help build a following that extends beyond the current project.
Indie Film Crowdfunding Allows Creative Control
By using crowdfunding for independent film, producers can retain greater creative control over their projects. They are not beholden to the demands and expectations of traditional financiers, which can lead to more unique and original content. This is why crowdfunding for independent film has become so popular – people who create these films are often driven by their inner creativity, meaning they want to retain control of the product.
Indie Film Crowdfunding Cons:
Independent Film Funding is Time-Consuming
Running a successful crowdfunding for independent film funding campaign requires a significant investment of time and effort. Filmmakers must plan and execute the campaign, create engaging content, and promote it across various platforms. You may need to learn search engine optimization, marketing strategies, and business principles to find and then appeal to investors.
Independent Film Funding and Pressure to Deliver
Successfully funded campaigns come with a responsibility to deliver on the promises made to backers. Delays or challenges in production can lead to disappointment and damaged relationships with supporters. Be careful when publishing timelines and communicate proactively when a step may take longer. Independent film funding using crowdfunding often depends on others and you have to stay organized.
Crowdfunding for Independent Film Site Platform Fees
Most crowdfunding platforms charge fees for using their services. These fees can include a percentage of the funds raised, payment processing fees, and other administrative costs. These costs are often worthwhile because you are provided with a platform, promotion, and credibility. It is still important to compare and contrast the fees and what you get in return.
High Competition and Potential of Low Funding
Crowdfunding platforms are filled with various projects vying for attention and funds. Standing out from the crowd and attracting potential backers can be challenging, especially if the film’s concept isn’t unique or compelling. Crowdfunding does not guarantee that the desired funding target will be met. If the campaign falls short, the filmmaker might have to explore alternative support options or scale down the project.
How It Works
Starting Independent Film Funding
Choosing a Platform or Going Independent
You need to decide upfront (and we can help!) whether an established platform will host your independent film funding pitch or whether you will build your own site and attract investors yourself. Using a crowdfunding platform can ensure that you get potential investors to see your pitch, and you will get social media and e-mail marketing from the platform. You’ll also get a structured pitch builder with all the necessary components to create your unique page. On the other hand, using an independent film funding platform requires payment, whether a percentage of what you raise, a fixed amount, or payment for certain services they provide.
Choosing a Path
Choosing the Independent Film Funding Model
Crowdfunding for independent film can be equity-based and financed, debt-based, or rewards-based. Rewards-based funding does not require you to pay anything back, but it can limit the amount you can raise. Equity-based crowdfunding may attract the largest investments and the most money, but of course, you are giving away part of your profit if you are successful. Debt-based crowdfunding for independent film funding limits how much you have to pay back no matter how successful you are, but it does require payback even if the film does not make money. As you can see, the interplay between these methods is an important consideration, and of course, we can help.
Staying With It
Who will be At Risk?
A lesser-known but important consideration is how much risk you and the other team members are willing to take. Investors in crowdfunding for independent film will see you taking the same risk as them as an important sign of your confidence in the project. They may be more likely to invest if they see that you are in the same boat as them regarding whether there will be any payback. But of course, you need to decide if you are willing to take that risk. There is a bit of an in-between, where you pay yourself or your team a small salary, but you take the risk relative to whether you will make any additional payback.
Final thoughts
Independent Film Crowdfunding Funding and You
What have we learned over the past few years that can provide a guide for 2023 and 2024? Here are three Indie Film Crowdfunding lessons:
Indie Film Crowdfunding and Social Media
It’s been clear for years that you need a solid social media presence to succeed at crowdfunding for independent film. Now, there is so much movement and change in social media that you need to adjust a bit. The bottom line is that you need to broaden your presence in a smart and targeted way. Know your audience! Investors may be more inclined toward Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook, even if your eventual audience may be the TikTok crowd.
Your potential funders will want continual updates that help them get an insider’s view of the project (and, in the case of equity crowdfunding, a snapshot of how their investment is doing) and a feeling that they are getting this information quickly. This is a perfect role for social media, and since your investors may have varying social media preferences, you may need to cover a lot of platforms!
Indie Film Crowdfunding Social Media Planning
Your social media campaign may be the key to getting funded in the first place. While some who might support you will concentrate on the proposal you put together, a lively and comprehensive social media campaign provides a view not only into the project itself but also into your motivation and the time you put into everything. The social media campaign can also frame the project regarding the emotion and depth you want to portray. And, of course, social media provides a great way to release new and exciting information that can travel further than to those who you happen to have on your e-mail distribution list.
Ensure you post interesting material that helps people understand your independent film funding campaign and that that information makes sense and supports the whole picture. Do not overdo it to the point that people may find the information less helpful, and consolidate information when you can.
Influencers and Celebrities
There is another aspect of social media that is important to consider right now: Influencers and others with huge followings. If you can get someone with reach to mention or pitch your product or company, that can jump-start things. You may be able to artificially do this by appearing on a podcast or a publication that will promote you through their social media network. Again, remember that the influencers and others need to appeal to your potential investors, who may or may not be the same group as your eventual core audience.
Platform Help for Your Indie Film Crowdfunding
Finally, look to see what any potential crowdfunding platform is willing to do regarding including you on their social media campaigns. It may depend on your raise and other factors and may be negotiable upfront. You’ve entrusted them with parts of your indie film crowdfunding campaign, and they can help in different ways.
Social media is key to indie film crowdfunding in 2023, so it is important to have a good strategy and execute it. We can help if you are less experienced at social media marketing or don’t have the time to dedicate to doing it right.
Control the Crowd 
A second example of what we’ve learned about crowdfunding for independent film is that the crowd may be the most wonderful and challenging aspect of your crowdfunding raise. You need to be sure you are “controlling the crowd.” Most independent film funding involves any number of people deciding to join in. This funding frenzy is an excellent method of funding a project, purpose, or product. And in most cases, the individual or group looking for funding is perfectly happy that they are throwing their line into a sea of potential funders. But what if you want to narrow the possibilities regarding who will be involved in your journey?
Indie Film Crowdfunding: Advice from the Crowd
This narrowing may help you attract more significant investments, even from a smaller group, and may reduce the number of people outside your industry who want to weigh in with advice and guidance. These investors might be more dedicated to your project and invested (literally!) and have better connections. They may have a deeper understanding of what you are going through, the challenges along the way, and the fortitude to stay with you through those challenges. You may feel more equipped to relate to your funders this way.
Narrowing the crowd regarding who will potentially fund your project is not common right now. Most indie film crowdfunding websites are open to anyone who wants to browse and potentially invest. However, we see ways that the crowd can be narrowed, such as if websites cater to specific professional groups, people with particular shared interests, or those who have already invested money in an exact cause.
Having a large interested crowd is mostly a good thing, but there are some drawbacks or at least challenges that you need to stay aware of.
Getting Help with Indie Film Crowdfunding
What we’ve seen in recent years is an increase in websites and platforms that can promote your independent film or TV project. Many offer compelling reasons to use their service, making it hard to decide which is best. However, there are more differences than may be apparent, including what specifics they offer, the traffic they attract, specific investors that tend to go there, and the success of similar projects in the past.
Thankfully, plenty of services like ours can get you the knowledge and information you need to narrow the list. Most offer paid services, and some are attached to only a small number of sites (or even just one!), but you need to be sure that the information presented is independent and unbiased.
How to Tell if an Independent Film Funding Service is Biased
You can tell if a service may be biased if it has many affiliate links pointing to one specific platform. You should also look for sites that report both the advantages and disadvantages and positives and negatives, as opposed to those that push one solution, especially when that information is connected to an affiliate link. A site that uses a third party to deliver ads is fine since, in most cases, they are not choosing which ads will be posted (so they can’t be biased toward them), and a site that does push products but does not rate them (and ideally mentions that there are alternatives) may also be okay.
Indie Film Crowdfunding Lessons: Conclusion
Indie film crowdfunding continues to grow, and in 2023, we continue to see many opportunities for investors and filmmakers. Of course, this growth in film funding companies and platforms also makes things more competitive, and you need to make sure your pitch hits investors compellingly. Many consultants are out there, but it’s important to choose carefully. Remember that our services are unbiased, thorough, and free! We only get paid if you are very successful, and we’ll define what that means upfront.
Summary and Our Services
Independent film crowdfunding offers an avenue to access funds, engage with an audience, and maintain creative control. However, it also comes with challenges such as time and effort investment, competition, and the uncertainties of meeting funding goals. Filmmakers should consider these pros and cons before deciding if crowdfunding is the right approach for their project.
Our guaranteed and often free services can help. Feel free to contact us to discuss independent film crowdfunding further.
There are other lessons to learn about indie film crowdfunding as we get into the new year, and we will update things as time goes on. We hope you will follow us as we update things or contact us if we can help in any way!
Crowdfunding For Indie Film Overview
Crowdfunding can be a viable option for financing an independent film, games, music, or TV project. It allows filmmakers to raise funds from a wide audience of supporters who believe in their vision. Many indie films have been successfully crowdfunded! The following is an overview of crowdfunding for indie film and other creative arts, and of course our services can help.
Planning and Preparation for Crowdfunding for Indie Film
In order to be successful in the highly competitive crowdfunding for independent film games, music, or TV landscape, you need to start with a clear and compelling pitch that sets you apart. Create a captivating narritive that explains the project’s goals, the team behind it, and why it all matters. You may want to showcase your earlier work, your background, and comparisons with other successfully crowdfunded works.
You also need to determine your budget and set a realistic funding goal for your crowdfunding for indie film campaign. Be open and transparent about how you’ll use the funds and describe what could go right and wrong that might change things. Your pitch also needs to identify your target audience and potential backers. Make sure to consider the demographics and interests of people who would be interested in your film.
Choosing an Indie Film Crowdfunding Platform and Getting Started
Once you have done all of the initial steps, you need to decide on a crowdfunding for independent film funding platform. This requires you to know whether you will be parting with equity in your film, asking for loans with specific paybacks, providing rewards only, or asking for donations. Each platform has its own approach, rules and fee structures, so choose the one that aligns best with your project and type of crowdfunding. Our connection services are free and can be quite helpful at this stage.
Once you have chosen a platform you need to design an appealing campaign page that includes a compelling video pitch. For obvious reasons, investors pay closer attention to videos in crowdfunding for indie film pitches, so a well-produced video can greatly increase your chances of success. In addition to the video you will need to write a detailed project description that outlines your film’s story, cast and crew, production timeline, and distribution plan.
Ancillary Steps Along the Way
There are some other steps you need to take as you design and publish your pitch. First, you may want to offer attractive and creative rewards to backers. These can include digital downloads of the film, merchandise, props, or even credits in the film. For equity indie crowdfunding pitches this may not be a required step, but it could help convince some investors to support you.
You also need to start building your audience and online presence using social media, email lists, and your personal network to create a buzz. Your backers are also a source of promotion, so create a content calendar to regularly update them on your progress, share behind-the-scenes content, and maintain engagement throughout the campaign. Leverage the power of storytelling in your marketing efforts. Share personal anecdotes, the journey of making the film, and the impact it could have.
Post-Campaign Steps in Crowdfunding for Indie Film
After your campaign is over make sure to respond promptly to questions on your campaign page and social media channels. Show appreciation for your backers’ support. Personalized thank-you messages and updates can go a long way in building a loyal community around your project. Deliver the promised rewards and keep backers informed about the film’s progress. Keep your backers engaged even after the campaign ends by providing updates on the film’s production and festival submissions. Remember, one of the reasons why crowdfunding for indie film is so popular is that the crowd becomes a great source of promotion and marketing!
Often you first indie crowdfunding raise becomes the first of many. If you successfully fund your project you’ll have a base of investors or donors who are excited about your future projects. They may invest again and possibly invite their friends and family to do the same. Ensuring that you approach all of this with the information you need to run a smooth and successful campaign is vital, and that’s where we can help.
Conclusions
Remember that crowdfunding for independent film can be challenging, and success is not guaranteed. It requires dedication, marketing savvy, and a compelling project. Additionally, consider the time and effort required to run a successful campaign and fulfill your commitments to backers. But with careful planning and execution, crowdfunding can be a valuable source of independent film funding.
Our services are mostly free and can help with many of the steps above. We’d be happy to answer any questions you have about the crowdfunding for independent film, games, music, or TV process, and give you some ideas about how we can help.