People ask about crowdfunding a lot. Talking about it is so much fun because it’s still relatively uncharted territory, and it’s changing the game for most filmmakers. But it’s a lot more difficult than it looks.
Crowdfunding seems deceptively easy. From the outside it looks like you launch a campaign and the money starts flowing in. Easy enough, right?
Anyone who has run a crowdfunding campaign knows it’s tough.
When you launch a campaign you’re not just a filmmaker, you’re a crowdfunding campaign manager. It’s a lot of responsibility. And it’s often very different than filmmaking.
It’s much like a chef who opens his own restaurant. All of a sudden he’s no longer just a chef, he’s a small business owner. He spends time focused on everything but being in the kitchen: paying rent, managing employees, customer satisfaction, etc.
Running a campaign can take a lot of work. If you’re willing to put in the effort, however, it can be really rewarding.
So how do you prepare? You read, research, and talk to people — and hope you’ve got it right. You can spend time teaching yourself, and you can test the waters and hope to be successful. There’s a lot to be said for that.
Wouldn’t it be great if you had help?
Especially from a fellow emerging filmmaker who’s been there, done that, and will definitely do it again? Imagine how much more successful your campaign could be if you had a step-by-step guide.
© 2014 Alex Boerner Photography | alexboerner.com
Last year I launched Crowdfund Your Film: A Step-By-Step Guide, which is an online course about crowdfunding just for filmmakers. This digital class walks you through the entire process so you can start planning to be successful right now. You can even build the value of the course — a few hundred dollars — into your crowdfunding campaign.
Crowdfund Your Film isn’t open for registration right now, though. It may not be for a while. But I keep getting questions about crowdfunding from filmmakers who are eager to learn about it.
One filmmaker recently said, “Where do I sign up? I’m ready now!”
When faced with such enthusiasm and eagerness for information, it’s tough to say, “Sorry. Registration isn’t open yet.” I genuinely love helping my fellow filmmakers, and want to help them succeed — especially where I struggled so much to learn things the hard way.
That’s why I’m excited to tell you about this live, in-person workshop I’m hosting.
This workshop is an affordable, small commitment. Instead of a six-week program, it’s just one afternoon. It’s also live and in-person, so you can ask questions and get answers immediately.
What’s also great is the community. Launching your own campaign — no matter what kind of team you have in place — can feel a little lonely. It’s wonderful to be surrounded by filmmakers that can share war stories, wisdom, and encouragement.
You’ve asked me for ways to learn right now. Since this digital course isn’t ready to launch yet, I wanted to give you something to hold onto. It’s a great way to learn.
Get more information and register to attend right here:
No, I don’t pretend to be the world’s leading expert on crowdfunding. No, I haven’t received a ton of awards or recognition for filmmaking. And, yes, I still have a long way to go in my career.
But isn’t that the great part? I’m an emerging filmmaker just like you. I’ve learned a lot the hard way, and I’m thrilled to share everything I’ve picked up.
Most importantly, I’m incredibly passionate about helping you succeed.
Why? Because I struggled so much when I first started. I felt weary, lost, and starved for information. I would have loved having an ally and attending a workshop like this one.
It’s my firm belief that when one independent filmmaker succeeds, we all succeed. I love hearing your stories, commiserate on challenges, and share your wins.
Join me on Tuesday, April 28th, starting at 1:30 PM and let’s talk about funding your work. Register here to attend and share the link with a friend. I look forward to seeing you there!
Sign up for free emails about Crowdfund Your Film right here. Registration opens again soon.