When I first started this site I had no idea that it would become one of the most popular filmmaking websites in existence. My goal at the time was merely to share some filmmaking information with the world.

I remember sitting down and staring at the blank white screen before me without any idea what the heck I was going to write. I actually had to call a friend for advice. “What the heck should I write about?”

“Share all your filmmaking screw ups and tell em’ what NOT to do,” she said.

It is hard to believe but but that was close to 400 articles ago!

Moving forward, you can expect even more changes with the site. My goal is to feature dozens of guest writers, review some new products and most importantly- I want to always provide you with valuable information so you can take action and make your movie now!

If you are a veteran reader of Filmmaking Stuff, I hope these changes find you well. And if you are new to Filmmaking Stuff, I welcome you.

Drop a comment below and let me know what you think of the new Filmmaking Stuff.

Two rules of internet marketing for filmmakers:

1. Have more time than money? Create content to get search ranking.
2. Have more money than time? ADVERTISE!

It is always more fun to get free traffic. But if you gotta pay for traffic, there is nothing wrong with that either (assuming you have the money). And in case you don’t know, with movie distribution all messed up, you will have to become your own distributor.

Best to find out everything you can!

In my next filmmaking article, I’ll talk about some simple marketing tips all filmmaker’s need to know.

With the demise of traditional DVD distribution, you as a filmmaker are responsible for your audience. Why? Because your audience is your business – and without an audience you will have no movie business.

Having an audience database for your movie is essential.

Whenever I give talks, I make people repeat this aloud. This gets a few chuckles, but kidding aside – this is important stuff for any filmmaker.

Building Your Audience Database

As a professional filmmaker, you need to build a database of people who know you and know your work. But don’t let the word “database” throw you off. A database doesn’t have to be complex. At the miminum, it is simply a list of the names and emails of your subscribers.

Once you have this info, you can easily generate personalized email, letters and phone calls to your audience. And having a list allows you to directly promote your current movie project or an upcoming movie project.

Tools For Building Your List

Most of your list building efforts will happen online. So you need hosting for your website. And I suggest you go with a company that allows you to easily set up a WordPress powered website. That way, you’ll be able to grab a copy of the fully optimized WordPress Template for Filmmakers.

But let’s face it… Even with the greatest movie website on earth – The truth is, most of your movie website visitors will NOT buy your movie on the first visit to your site. Think about it. Most people are busy.

So in addition to marketing your current movie (and all of your future movies), you will need an easy way to capture and collect visitor email addresses. I recommend Aweber as an easy way to build your audience list.  And after you grab Aweber, I suggest utilizing this tool to increase subscriber opt-ins.

Some of the film distribution topics I cover are:

1. How to drive traffic to your movie website.
2. What all filmmakers must know about trailer promotion.
3. How to optimize your movie website for conversions.
4. Where to market movies both online and offline.
5. Why a marketing plan is essential for all business plans.

If you can attend the Showbiz Expo, awesome. If you can’t, then you may want to check out The Indie Producer’s Guide To Digital Self-Distribution.

1. Free Filmmaking Book: This free resource provides you with some basic, no fluff filmmaking information. Additionally, you’ll also get onto my super cool filmmaking mailing list. (It’s what all the cool filmmakers read.) www.FreeFilmmakingBook.com

2. Modern Moviemaking Movement: A few months back, I joined forces with some of the most prolific modern moviemakers to create a free resource for filmmakers. The result was over one-hundred pages of no-fluff filmmaking information. www.ModernMovieMaking.com

3. Make Your Movie Now: This is a site for filmmakers who are serious. If you want to take action and maker your movie now, this resource is for you. www.MakeYourMovieNow.com

Anyway, I hope these MovieMaking tools are helpful.

The following short (directed by my friend) is an example of this. Shot on a small camera (Rebel T2i), the video provides a good example of how you can pack an emotional punch into a small project.

A little WARNING: The following video contains some strong language that may be inappropriate for anybody under 18 years of age.

Wild Bill Hearts Candy 84″ from Jared Tweedie on Vimeo.

If you can push yourself to overcome fear and excuses – and just make a movie you can make this year, you will be much better off than the majority of other filmmakers who spend years talking, with nothing to show for it.

Fill in the form below to claim for free subscription to the Filmmaking Stuff, Filmmaking eZine. Packed with modern moviemaking tips and resources, you are bound to get at least one great filmmaking tip you can apply to your life.

And one more thing… Not sure if you are planning your filmmaking goals for the New Year – but now is the time. Make this coming year, YOUR year for making movies!

If you are going to succeed as a filmmaker, you will need a new strategy. What can YOU do today to build your audience?

Over the past year, I have worked with some of the worlds most awesome internet marketers and software developers to create a solution.

I am pleased to announce the launch of the “Filmmaker Theme” for WordPress. Check it out by going here: www.FilmmakerTheme.com

This theme is designed for filmmakers who are looking to market and sell their movies. Called the “Filmmaker Theme,” it is optimized to drive audience traffic to a VOD or DVD marketplace such as Amazon, Hulu or iTunes or anywhere else.

The following video shows you how quickly you can create websites optimized for your movie.

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If you would like to become an affiliate, this product is managed through clickbank and pays 50%.

1. Sign Up to become a clickbank affiliate by going here: http://www.clickbank.com/promote_products.html

2. Once you have you account “nickname” replace the word affiliate in the link structure below.

Here is the link structure: http://affiliate.FILMTHEME.hop.clickbank.net/
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This literally took me over a year of development. My goal was to find a way to help filmmakers create movie websites optimized to funnel traffic to the popular points of sale.

I would be honored if you would take a look at the Filmmaker Theme site and perhaps tweet about it, or share it with your list.

Many of the participants represent well known movie companies. As a result, the  panel was valuable because many of the thoughts shared on movie marketing and distribution were based on traditional, best practices.

If you were unable to attend the festival – no worries. The innovative folks at the New Hampshire Film Festival videotaped the panel discussion. I have posted it below. In the video, you will see how my thoughts on film distribution and movie marketing are geared towards filmmakers who do not have a budget for a traditional movie marketing campaign.

Hopefully sharing some of the latest trends in film distribution and movie marketing will provide you with at least one or two tips you can add to your own filmmaking projects.

Shout-out to moderator Amy Greenlaw of FilmPop! -  As well as Dan Hannon and Brett Carneiro and the other folks at the New Hampshire Film Festival for hosting the panel.

If YOU would like more information on how to sell your movie, check out the Indie Producer’s Guide To Digital Self-Distribution