Unlock the Secrets of Crowdfunding for Filmmakers: Achieving Success with Your Film Campaign

J. K.: Useful

Germany on Apr 29, 2019

N. Zafonte: John’s book should be required reading for anybody running a film crowdfunding campaign. If they want to reach their goal, that is. It lays out everything you need to do before, during, and after to run a successful campaign. I thought I was ready to launch, but after getting his book I postponed my campaign for a month to prepare all the pieces John recommended having in place. It was a lot of work but it paid off - we raised over $10,000 for our 1st feature film No Retreat.

But probably more important than the specific crowdfunding information, John’s book showed me the value of using social media to build a fanbase and connect with the indie filmmaking community. From what I learned from the book I’ve developed more of an online presence as a director over time, and met a bunch of fellow filmmakers who became mentors and friends. Many of them featured in John’s book.

So before you even think about launching a campaign, pick up this book and read it cover to cover.

United States on Feb 18, 2016

Leilani: The crowdfunding process is easy but the preparation for it isn't and without a proper approach many people don't succeed. What John has done is brought a clear and well structured amount of information about what brings people to a project and keeps them interested enough to click through and donate and then continue to support the film being made. There's great insight and the book draws from the experience of many film projects and filmmakers to show what works and give you the best advantage and the best experience as you prepare, crowdfund and build your audience and as you complete your project and follow through with perks and retaining the audience who have invested in you. Easy to read and understand it's one of the very best crowdfunding resources you can have.

United Kingdom on Sep 25, 2015

Sebastien Perier: J'avoue que j'ai longtemps hésité avant d'acheter le livre, mais je ne le regrette aucunement.

Il contient toutes les bases pour bien aborder la campagne en elle même, le genre d'info que l'on trouve généralement sur les sites dédiés à la question.

La fainéantise aurait pu pousser l'auteur à ne pas en faire plus, mais c'est tout le contraire. Une avalanche de tuyaux, d'astuces, de pourquoi du comment pour réussir à transformer l'essai en succès, plus quelques analyses de campagnes en fin pour décrypter des cas particuliers.

Je recommande vivement.

France on Aug 15, 2015

zenamerican: Once I decided to launch my first crowd funding campaign I soon learned the process was overwhelming to say the least. I have been working on my project for over a year and pride myself on
always doing the best I can do. It is the only way I can move forward. I could not in good conscience Put 10% effort into a crowd funding campaign when I had put 110% into my project.
After an online search one thing I found was a Ted talk on Crowdfunding by John T. Triginis. I hold Ted talks in high regard so I thought, who is this guy? Then I googled him and he had hours and hours of videos on YouTube discussing crowd funding. Finally I came across his book. I came to the conclusion, this is someone who clearly you should listen to (or read) on this subject.
The book takes you through the process step by step through examples and first person accounts. He also weaves the “Tao Te Ching” & “The Art of War” thought the narrative grounding the process and making it intuitive and practical rather then just a series of checklists and to do’s.
Finally the most valuable aspect for me was that he does not sugar coat the process, it is a lot of work. But he gives you the tools...

United States on Aug 03, 2015

Birgit Stauber: "Crowdfunding for Filmmakers" ist von einem Filmemacher geschrieben - dessen Passion für Filmemachen ab der ersten Seite spürbar ist und weit über dieses Buch hinaus reicht.
Dass Buch selbst basiert auf den professionellen Erfahrungen von John Trigonis, der selbst Crowdfunder ist, aber auch als Berater zahlreiche Kampagnen betreut und/oder beobachtet hat. Die erfolgreichen genauso wie die gescheiterten.
Als ich das Buch zum ersten Mal las, war ich geschockt darüber, wie sorgfältig und zeitintensiv eine gute Crowdfunding Kampagne sein sollte. Und habe die Idee für eine Kampagne verworfen. Ich wollte Filme machen, nicht 3 Monate lang 24/7 eine Kampagne leiten.
Aber irgendwie hat mich die Idee und das Wissen aus dem Buch, was eigentlich hinter Crowdfunding steckt, nicht mehr losgelassen. Der Marketingaspekt und das Suchen/FInden der Zielgruppe ist einfach großartig. Und sich mit seinem Zielpublikum zu beschäftigen, obwohl man noch gar kein fertiges "Produkt" hat, ist unglaublich spannend.
Ein Buch, das ich jedem Crowdfunder - egal aus welcher Branche - wärnstens empfehlen kann!!!

Germany on Aug 15, 2014

Ms Astrid Gaughan: I found the book very helpful as it gave an overview of the whole process of planning your strategy, different ideas for personalising the perks you offers and so on. Its definitely a must have resource if you're planning any sort of crowdfunding campaign. After reading this book I was able to pinpoint the reasons why some campaigns on indiegogo just didn't work. John is also a very approachable person and was very helpful when I contacted him via Twitter :-)

United Kingdom on Jan 13, 2014

Jim Broderick: Ok, there's no quibbling with the title. If you are a filmmaker (or hope one day to be) this is a MUST read. John Trigonis' book will become the Go-To resource for filmmakers looking to raise funds for their projects. But if you're not a filmmaker, you might be surprised to find this book so throughly entertaining and highly informative -- and an overall delightful read!

You don't have to be a filmmaker to find the subject of films fascinating, and Trigonis takes you inside the world of movie making, with anecdotes and examples from his eclectic circle of actor/writer/director acquaintances. Trigonis' book is a glimpse behind the curtain that most movie watchers never get, and it's a fascinating and instructive overview that will make watching your next movie a much more satisfying experience.

The book also provides some very valuable lessons in how to be more savvy with the tools of social media -- a skill certainly not limited to film makers. Trigonis' expert navigation of the new media landscape will benefit anyone looking to enhance their on-line communication and raise their professional profile.

Finally -- and not surprisingly, given the writer's...

United States on Feb 14, 2013