How to find INDIE Entertainment (INDIE Report #2)
After my earlier article there are probably two questions. 1. “How do I find the little guy projects?” and 2. “I’m the little guy, how to I get my media out to the masses?”
Luckily, this article gives ideas for both sides of the entertainment world.
The number one suggestion I see for newbies in media is the creed “Thou must have Twitter account [and use it.]” I personally would add to that Tumblr, Pintrest, DeviantART, Youtube, and (on a good day) *Facebook. All optional but these are the ones I can recommend as a user and from seeing the number of artists I see on there.
The hashtag or tag makes finding specific genres and story themes easy. For example, have you ever looked up Artists on Tumblr, Filmmakers on Tumblr, Musicians on Tumblr, Art on Pintrest, Film on Facebook, Comics on DeviantART, and Musicians on Youtube? The amount of information is mind blowing. The reason is that artists have learned the usefulness of social media as a marketing tool – meaning that if a fan loves what they’re seeing, they’ll reblog/share/retweet, and that will bring more viewers over to their site. (Take note: Likes do not help artists. If you want to show your support or love for an artist click reblog/share/retweet.)
* The reason why I am skeptical of Facebook as the means for promotion is that a) they’ve changed the rules and that has made it where Pages disappear on the feed unless you go through a few dozen hoops and b) their terms for paid ads have made it where several people I know have been denied because there is, and I quote, “too much text.” It’s a good idea to have it, but I personally think that INDIE creators get their following lead elsewhere.
Other ways to find the “hidden gems” is to ask among friends. (Provided you have the same interests.) I cannot count the projects and artists/filmmakers/musicians I’ve found because a friend rebloged/shared that person’s demo. When people find something they really like, they will not shut up about it. If it’s something like a Kickstarter or an Indiegogo where the item at hand is something the person really wants, the information will get out there so fast it can feel like you’re in a wind tunnel.
Podcasts have been another and newer method to finding new media. Likewise, Youtube is also a way to find new media and as a way for new filmmakers, actors, and voiceover actors to show their talent to the masses.
Now there are ways through Kickstarter and Indiegogo to find new media but that is number #4 in this series since the information is so numerous.
The easiest way to think of the process is to imagine miles and miles of dominos standing in a line that go straight, to the left, and to the right like a tree. All it takes is one push to start the chain reaction. That, in summary, is what social media does for INDIE creators. So, use that reaction to your advantage and cast a net out there among the hashtags and tags. Sooner or later you’ll find a gem that makes you a life long fan of the creator’s project.
Next up: How to support new media
