The etiquette of asking strangers for money

R

rc444

Well-known member
Hi everyone,

This is slightly longish so I apologize in advance. I am trying to raise funds for my short film and need advice. Some of the companies I will be approaching are:

-Pepsi
-Woolworths
-Watties Baked Beans
-Sunglass Hut
-Tony's Tyre Service
-Toyota
-AA Insurance
-Impulse Marketing

What's the best way to approach companies for product placement? There are several challenges, the most important challenge is getting the information to the right person (not the secretary or the PR dept who are likely to junk it). If you can do that, you're halfway there.

I have a trio of people attached, myself (a 29 year old film school graduate), a producer from Chile who directed a feature that got into Toulouse, and a celebrity cinematographer. I'm going to present a one page document that showcases us (by saying that we are genuine), as well as showcasing the film. It's just a matter of *how* I convey this information to them.

Cold calling is not an option for me. I suck at cold calling. I'm likely to either email the company a brief proposal, or, just approach the company in person and see what happens. The disadvantage of emailing is the person in question might never read your email, or the secretary may junk it. The disadvantage of approaching the company directly is potential embarrassment, but being direct may reap a reward. I can't decide what to do.

Thanks for your help
David
 
Hey David... this is speaking out of experience my DVXuser friend. Do your research and find out who the promotions and marketing person is... this you can do over the phone... or over the internet. After that go with protocol... try to set up a meeting with "that person" cause the corporate heads hate nothing more than people just dropping in. Upon meeting with "that person" give yourself a title... director/filmmaker whatever... in other words sorta play their game... you have to talk a little business to the business man... but just be yourself... you'll win some and lose some ... if you can speak very passionately about your film then you can find endless ways to inspire "that person" to help an up and coming filmmaker give back to their community. hope that helps... i know it's a bit general... but there really is no secret. just be yourself and let "that person" understand how much they will be of help to you and your future as a local filmmaker... and bring a sample screener of past work if you have any you want to show. :) David, be well and good luck!
 
I thought that most companies wouldn't pay for product placements, just give away free products to place and whatnot?
 
Mindzeye is right about contacting their PR/Marketing people. It may be a different group from the company itself. I've done the same with a feature I made. Contacted Breyers Ice Cream, Marriott, Fila and Adidas to use their products. All accepted accept Adidas. Adidas was not interested since I had no major talent attached, but Fila and Breyeres were more than welcome to give me product...no money though. You need to present yourself as a marketing opportunity for them. They are used to dealing with the big major players so you have to come across in that manner. Be prepared to present a business plan...a marketing plan...including numbers of potential customers that will see their product.

And make sure their product is being used in a positive manner otherwise it will be a solid rejection.

Go for it. Start with the smallest product maker first just to get your feet wet. Or better yet go after Coke as a practice interview. That way it will prepare you for Pepsi. Pick a few others that you are not interested in just so you will have some experience prior to hitting your main targets.

Rock and roll!
 
hmmm...

hmmm...

If this is a short film, I highly doubt that they will give you any money or pay you for product placement. It's very very rare for a short film to get sponsors. As for music videos (being short term), they sometimes pay for product placement but that all depends on the artist or if they feel confident that their product will be expose to a lot of viewers. Meaning, a really big fan base (P. Diddy, Jay-z, Brittany spears, Trina, Rick Ross, Blink 182, you get the point). Feature Films is a different story, no matter if it's Blockbuster, a B movie or a low budget indie.

Anyways, give it a shot and see what happens. Also, be yourself. That's very important. Feel confident about your work and what your selling. With out confident, you'll lose!

Good Luck!!!

Cheers,

Murray
 
I hear ya about not being good at cold calling. Consider hiring a salesman to handle it for you. Someone used to outside sales, with a successful track record.

And I agree with the idea of starting with the smallest company first. If you can get them to sign on, then go for the next largest -- and say "We've already gotten XYZ Company committed." That may go a long way towards swaying them. The more that sign on, the easier it might be to convince others.

I'm not sure a one-sheet is the way to go. A more impressive press kit might serve you better -- makes you look more professional. Extensive bios, story plotline, character breakdowns, past experience -- even a demo reel on DVD. All of this can help convince them to hop on the bandwagon. If you do hire a salesperson, ask for his/her input on what materials would be most effective.

Best of luck!
 
Cold calling is one of our biggest hurdles to overcome. It is the business side of the film business. The fear of rejection keeps most people from taking that big step. We take it as a personal rejection. It is not personal. These companies do not know us so for them it is a business rejection not a personal one. Put together your best business case. Rehearse your call. Call a friend and tell them to reject everything you say. Practice it. We rehearse our scripts, our camera moves, our boom moves, etc. So we have to rehearse our cold calling as if we are giving a speech. Plus you have a passion for this product. That makes it easier to sell. The first person may reject your idea. The first 100 people may reject your idea. But number 101 will love it! You only need one yes! Just one! Go for it! Make that first call. The second call is much easier than the first...and it gets even easier with each call.
 
It'd be funny if you just started cold calling, like you were new to it, and you get 45 rejections in a row. Then on the 46th the person is like, "Wow sounds great, I'm definitely interested!" and you start to say, "Thank you for your time anyway..." *pause* "Wait what? You are interested?!?" Haha
 
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