What are the most effective strategies to promote a film after production?

Create multiple forms of your trailer depending on the platforms you intend to use. 30 seconds, 45 seconds, 60 seconds and an extended 90seconds are examples of cuts you can make for your film.

Trailers popularity is unmatched. They are powerful, and memorable, most recently we see book trailers promoting works of literary. Trailers are a good tool to promote your film, allowing you to set the tone and the plot of the film allowing you not to give away the whole film plot. A strong dynamic trailer strokes the target audience imagination building their anticipation of the film. What is important is remember with a trailer is to tell a compelling story but not all the way. Get your audience imagination invested with the film. Music and scenes used should be intentional.

Using social media is an excellent way to generate interest in your film. Let people get to know the entire production through behind the scenes content, interviews, trailers, teaser clips, photos, etc. If possible, get the cast and crew in on sharing on their own platforms too, so you can reach a broader audience.

Especially if you are just starting out, you can indulge the active participation of your cast and crew members who already have an existing online presence to leverage one for your film.

Social media can be a hard place to crack as your content can be lost as content creators allover the world are sharing content each second hence the need to be creative and innovative with the film teasers you share on social media Trailers should be compelling visual.The music and editing techniques used must captivate. You must know how to use the different social media platforms to their strengths as each platform has strengths and weaknesses hence the need to choose the platforms that are right for your film and audience. A great marketing strategy executed well, sicial media can be a powerful tool to use in promoting a film.

Here in Nollywood, you should keep in mind that certain times of the year are reserved for the biggest players when it comes to theatrical film exhibitions. However, other times of the year are always available. The good news is that with a platform like YouTube, you can always release your film at any time that you like.

If it's not too expensive, you can organize screenings or even reward the first 10 or 50 persons who attend the online premiere of your film. This helps to create a buzz because people love to compete and get a reward.

Creating a media campaign doesn't have to be complex. Identify your strongest partners either in the form of your cast and crew, including their BIOS, exciting still images from the set and your key poster. Promote your film either online or offline using these items that you have identified.

Film promotion strategy must be in line with the content & your target audience. It would decide your partnerships/ influencers/ endorsements etc. Undoubtedly trailer is the most effective way to promote the film across the media. You need to know power points of your film & build the trailer on each point making it unique. Try to avoid repeat visuals and make it crisp. Pace of the trailer depends on the film type. Doesn't have to be pacy all the time. Trailer is what your film is all about. Treat it as your pitch to make the viewer buy a ticket. Social media can be utilized effectively by utilizing BTS footage nicely packaged with cast and crew comments. If the film is economy budget, release date must avoid the clash with big budgets.

The best promotion for a Film is ...a very good film. Thats it. The money dont help. A good script is the best advertising. Im 35 years releasing movies. I know.