STOP! Don’t enter that contest or festival until you read this!
Not every contest or festival is worth entering, even if there is no entry fee. The point of submitting artistic products to festivals and contests is to gain exposure. How can such a feat be accomplished if no one is viewing or reviewing the content of these events?
Organizers of events need to develop branding strategies that present the event as a cutting edge source of entertainment.
Check the event’s website and look for a press section. DO NOT be deceived by a plethora of self published press releases! Look for links to articles written by print and electronic media on the prior year’s event. First year events need to receive the same scrutiny. Ask the event’s organizers what is being done to obtain press coverage.
Remember the golden rule of public relations: the media is looking for relevant stories to relate to its publics, in order to make a profit. Entering contest or festivals with a reputation is one more interesting tidbit to get the media interested in your entertainment product.
Organizers of events need to develop branding strategies that present the event as a cutting edge source of entertainment.
Check the event’s website and look for a press section. DO NOT be deceived by a plethora of self published press releases! Look for links to articles written by print and electronic media on the prior year’s event. First year events need to receive the same scrutiny. Ask the event’s organizers what is being done to obtain press coverage.
Remember the golden rule of public relations: the media is looking for relevant stories to relate to its publics, in order to make a profit. Entering contest or festivals with a reputation is one more interesting tidbit to get the media interested in your entertainment product.
Labels: contest, film festival, pitch
