Authenticity over Promotion:
Every film has its audience, but faith-based films have a unique connection with viewers who seek more than just entertainment. If the community resonates with the film’s mission and vision, they will rally behind it with unwavering support.
People want an authentic connection.
Not an insincere promotion.
We need to treat the faith-based community like family. Bring it all to the table. Raise the bar on connecting with them. This can be done through community screenings and developing a marketing campaign that highlights your film’s emotional and spiritual themes. You need to engage them. User-generated content adds authenticity and credibility to your marketing efforts while fostering a sense of belonging among your audience. Steer clear of marketing tactics that go by the book or use a template. Understanding your core audience is crucial to successful marketing.
Vet Your Marketing Partners:
No film achieves success in isolation. The goal is to partner with organizations and ministries that share the same values and mission. This can amplify the reach of your faith-based film. Look for marketing partners who understand the unique needs of the faith-based audience and have a track record of engaging with them effectively. Be upfront with these partners. Ask for case studies and historical data to validate their capabilities. Tangible metrics are crucial to ensuring they are equipped to manage your marketing budget effectively.
You need to be upfront about the financial aspect of when and where your budget will be spent. If you are hiring multiple marketing agencies or partners, they are all getting a percentage of the budget. Discernment in this area is crucial to maximizing the use of your budget.
In short terms.
Be a good steward.
Your Audience, Their Outlets:
Your film has a unique voice and tone. People have a unique voice and tone. Be intentional with where and how you market your copy and assets.
You have identified your core audience. Now, it is time to find them. Focus on a few marketing outlets where you know your core audience can be found. Social media and email marketing are two of the most prominent ways to connect with your audience.
Utilize the targeting capabilities of social media advertising to reach specific demographics who are most likely to be interested in your film. Experiment with different ad formats and targeting parameters to optimize your campaign performance. Connect with like-minded marketing partners who have access to first-party data they can use to plug into your social media campaigns.
Email marketing is another tactic where you can find your core audience. It can drive an ROI of $36 for every dollar spent, higher than any other channel (Litmus). Here are three important aspects of email marketing:
- Be mobile-friendly.
- Find email lists and marketing partners in the faith-based space who can provide case studies and past data on campaigns.
- Make sure you can segment the audience.
The faith-based movie world is healthy and continues to thrive every year. Check out these recent box office numbers:
Want help finding your core audience to market your film? We would love to chat.
CLICK HERE or call us today at 724-733-1200.
