Building your documentary audience

Get your guide to becoming a documentary filmmaker at MyDocJourney.com

HotDocs 2018 Documentary Audience Research study https://telefilm.ca/wp-content/uploads/hotdocs2018-doc-audience-report-en.pdf

Peter Broderick blog about Distribber http://peterbroderick.com/distributionbulletins/distributionbulletins.html

How to develop your audience

DON’T assume you know who your audience is. Do some research.

Make a list of topics/keywords related to your film

Research what existsOther films, news stories, books, blogs, reddit groups, twitter chats, businesses, influencersCreate a spreadsheet/ organize findingsMake list of types of content that gets shared, the way people communicate, what topics people are talking about or asking aboutMake list of conferences or other eventsBonus is that you learn even more about your topic!!!Here’s where you’ll find the groups/influencers who you will reach out to to spread the word about your filmFollow unexpected leads to find things you hadn’t thought of- add to list of keywords

Create a composite sketch of your audience with 3-5 examples

Beliefs and mindset are most important aspect- not age or sexGo out and talk to people who match your sketched and make sure they really are interested

Develop a relationship with your audience

Share your WHYEngage in-person as much as possibleStart building your email listMake sure you’re offering valueAsk audience for their feedback/ideassend your list a survey asking them about their lives and interests. Ask them what intrigues them about your documentary project and what topics they’d like to see covered.Bring them back to your site by giving them ways to participateBlog: about filmmaking process, about characters/themes; expand narrative beyond the film by working with/connecting to grassroots orgs that work on the social issues your doc covers; post content from film

Write articles that can be shared by people/groups/orgs

Support the show