Jon Reiss Tip of the Day Week 2
Jon Reiss’ TOTBO Tip of the Day 6 – Identifying and Engaging Your Audience
Here is the Jon Reiss TOTBO three step approach to audience development and engagement:
1. Know WHO your audience is. This is not 18-25 year old boys/men. Or 35 – 55 year old women. As an independent filmmaker, if you cross over into a mass audience great – but you need to be much more specific. Tomorrow’s tip will discuss niche vs core audiences.
2. Know WHERE your audience derives information/congregates. In other words how you can contact them, engage them, communicate with them.
3. Know HOW your audience engages media, or HOW they will support you.
PS I was going to address budgeting this week, but I have shifted that topic to next week.
Jon Reiss’ TOTBO Tip of the Day 7 – Differentiating Core and Niche Audiences
The terms Core and Niche are often used interchangeably and this is a mistake. The niche audience for your film is that slice of the population that has a particular interest in your film or an aspect of your film. The core audience for your film is those people within each niche that are your most ardent supporters. Those people who will spread the word about your film to not only their networks, but to the rest of that niche. You can have multiple niches’ that are interested in your film, and within each niche there is a core who combined adds up to the core of your film.
Jon Reiss’ TOTBO Tip of the Day 8 – Engage Organizations to Promote Your Film
Step 2 of Audience Engagement is: Know WHERE your audience derives information/congregates.
Many niche’s have organizations that support those specific topics and interests. Engage those organizations early in your filmmaking process (as early as conception and prep). It is important to have the proper attitude toward your audience and these organizations. You need to think, “What can I give them?” instead of “What can they do for me?” If you think of the former, the latter will flow. People are very busy. You need to give them an incentive to be involved with you. The film is not enough. How will the film service their organization, their lives and the lives of their members? In turn, they will help you promote your film to your direct audience. This has been used by great effect by documentary filmmakers. Narrative filmmakers need to follow their lead.
I want to know what you think! Comment here or on my blog, or @Jon_Reiss on twitter, or on the TOTBO Facebook page. Check out the book here. I look forward to hearing from you.
Just wanted to say I really liked the post. You have really put a lot of energy into your posts and it is just awesome!