So you want to produce a project... that’s great!

However, are you are hitting the proverbial wall of not having the funds to create your LLC, to rent a space for auditions, to get your project's website started?

Rather than asking friends and family for money that you may, or may not, pay back down the road, several sites have popped up allowing self-producers to ask folks to chip in to help kick-start their projects. These sites clearly state that this is not a loan, just an outright donation so folks know in advance that they are not going get paid back, but that the intention is that the project will be completed on time and within the budget of the funds requested.

Outside of these kick-start sites, many self-producers have been emailing all around, posting on message boards, etc. asking for funding help. The problem is that many of these propositions just don’t sound like good investments.

So... Let’s turn it around!

There’s a common thread that we wanted to address to help you with turning your contacts into potential supporters, aka funders.

Sending Generic E-Mails

Hi: This is Joe Actor and I want to make my webseries. Please, please donate to my cause at startmyproject.com. Thanks, -Joe

With the opening greeting… personalize it!

Say "Hello" and always use their first name to make this correspondence less generic.

We Know Each Other From Where?

The next line should state how you know each other.

Mention where you last saw each other, how you were first introduced, etc.

Not sure?

 

PerformerTrack’s Contacts Section records ALL of your interactions with contacts (i.e. - meetings, appointments, auditions, bookings, etc.) in each person’s History folder making life so much easier.

 

Sell Us!

Then let us know what you have been up to. Use this as a way to sell yourself. Answer the question "Why do you deserve MY money?"

EXAMPLES: * I just finished a table read for my webisode with a great response and some fantastic notes on updating my script. * After having wrapped 2010 with 5 co-stars on ____ projects, I’ve decided it’s time to cast myself in a lead in a (insert genre) short film, web series, etc. * My script just won best screenplay at ____ festival. I don’t want to wait for someone to make it happen for me. I’ve given myself a deadline of _____ (Be specific & realistic. This shows you have a plan, and one that you can attain) to wrap principal photography.

Sprinkle In Some Professional Goodness

Have you attached any credible talent that will bolster your project? If so, shout about it!

EXAMPLES: * I’ve attached the following actors, including links to their demo reels and IMDb pages. (This is another great way to get folks clicking on your IMDb page without begging. Also, this is a good reason to make sure your BIO there is up-to-date. Don’t have a bio yet? Do it NOW! - Read this article: Your Bio: Know Thy Self ~ So You Can Promote Thy Self!) * I’ve been in talks with _______ to direct, she recently won an award at _____ festival. * I’ve flushed out my budget and am signed up to take _______ course on working with the RED Cam.

Track Record

What have you done lately? How do we know that you are going to start and finish this project? What has the team of folks you hope to work with done? That makes us as an investor want to invest in you vs. all the others who send us emails.

EXAMPLES: * 2010 was a great year for me I completed 3 short screenplays, produced table reads for them and have submitted them to 6 festivals. * The director I’ve attached was nominated for his work on _____ project. (Attach a link to the trailer, some press interviews, reviews, etc.) * I’ve gotten a jump start on this project. I’ve already had a table read, I am revising the script, signed up with Mad Mimi and will be sending a quarterly newsletter with updates. I’ve also designed and launched a social media page on Twitter where I am growing my followers and I’ve created a VIMEO account just for the project. I’ll be sharing photos and videos here until I have the funds allocated for building and maintaining my website.

Benefits

When closing your funding request, let your contacts know how they will benefit from helping you get closer to your dreams of producing your project.

Will you...?:

• Thank them or their business on all press attached to the project? (Press Releases, Project Website, At Live Events)
• Invite those who donate to have their logos on your project's Step & Repeat Banner to be used at screenings and premieres?
• Earn them a Thank You Credit in the production's credit roll? On its IMDb page?../images/

What To Do...

• Make sure you hand sign any printed requests! DO NOT use services that promise to print a typeface made to look like your handwriting. It looks cheap and people can tell a machine did it - so it will seem not personal.
• Include a professional looking e-mail address that you check often ~ DO NOT USE such e-mail addresses as “cupcakebutt1989@me.com”, "brokeartist99@aol.com", etc.
• Provide a phone number that you answer professionally, have a professional voicemail and that you check often.
  

Special Tip For PerformerTrack Members Let PerformerTrack Help You! As soon as you meet someone, anyone (remember folks who are not family, friends or in the Business are FANS!), make sure you add their contact info into PerformerTrack, use the Quick Links to IMDb, IBDB, Google, and YouTube and do research on them, send them a follow-up email and make it personal asking them something about themselves or what they have worked on. Then, when you want to let them know about your Crowdfunding request, they will remember who you are, what you are doing and be more apt to invest in you! If you are already on the self-promoting trail, postcarding, sending quarterly newsletter updates, keep these folks in those lists… Export your categorized contact list in PerformerTrack to easily print mailing labels and be sure to update their mailing addresses should they be returned to you. Also, while you are exporting your contacts from PerformerTrack, import them into your Mad Mimi email service. It’s helpful to export the directors you know into a directors list, likewise, agents-agents, family, family and those who don’t really fit anywhere in to fans. Now when you send your career newsletters or your project updates, you know to whom you are sending and you can see  the click-through to know what people are interested in and who clicks on what.

Money Saving Hint!

When you are creating your LLC or you need to rent a space for auditions and you want to get your projects’ website started. Make sure you are on the e-mail list for the Daily Industry Deal www.IndustryDeal.com We’ve already had, and will have back Legal Counsel, Locations to Rent, Website Designers and Hosting Services as well as a slew of other products and services where you’ll save 50% or GREATER!

In Closing...

We hope this article has helped you amp up your Crowdfunding requests and look forward to seeing you promote your projects in the near future!