What do you do if your film needs the perfect distribution channel?

2 Research your audience

Another important step is to understand your target audience and their preferences. Who are they, where are they, and how do they consume films? What are their expectations, needs, and pain points? How can you reach them effectively and efficiently? You can use various methods to research your audience, such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, online analytics, or social media.

3 Compare your options

Once you have a clear picture of your goals and your audience, you can start comparing different distribution channels and their advantages and disadvantages. Theatrical is the traditional way of releasing films in cinemas, and it can generate a great deal of buzz, prestige, and revenue. However, it requires a large budget, a strong marketing campaign, and a competitive slot. TV is another popular way of reaching a large and diverse audience through broadcast or cable networks, offering a stable income, long shelf life, and wide exposure. Nevertheless, it involves a lot of regulations, restrictions, and fees. Lastly, online is the most flexible and accessible way to distribute films through streaming platforms, video-on-demand services, or direct-to-consumer websites. It has a low cost, global reach, and direct connection with your audience; however, it also faces intense competition, piracy, and fragmentation.

4 Negotiate your deal

Once you have selected your desired distribution channel, you must negotiate the deal with the distributor or platform. During this process, it is important to be strategic and confident in order to protect your rights and interests. You should consider the terms of the deal, such as its duration, territory, exclusivity, and windowing. Additionally, you must evaluate the revenue of the agreement, including the upfront payment, minimum guarantee, percentage share, and expenses. Lastly, you should plan out the marketing for the deal carefully, including the budget, strategy, materials, and responsibilities. It is essential to collaborate with your distributor or platform to maximize their resources and networks. All of these factors should be taken into account when negotiating your distribution deal.

5 Monitor your results

Finally, you need to monitor your results and evaluate your performance. You need to track your metrics, such as your sales, your views, your ratings, your reviews, and your feedback. You need to analyze your data, and identify your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. You need to learn from your experience, and improve your skills and decisions for your next film.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?