Mike Dion | The Pioneer of DIY Distribution
1h 12m
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Filmmaker Freedom
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Today on Filmmaker Freedom, an in-depth interview with Mike Dion.
Now, Mike's not a household name in the film community, but to my mind, he's one of the real pioneers of indie film entrepreneurship.
In fact, since 2010 Mike's put out a handful of features that appeal to an extremely small, niche audience. But despite the size of the niche, Mike's managed to make a good living for himself—without film festivals, distributors, sales agents, or any middle men whatsoever.
Instead, Mike has figured out how to sell directly to fans, put on his own theatrical tours, create cool physical products, and lots more. He even created something called the Whole World Wide Premiere, where you create an amazing in-person event for your film, but then livestream it to the world and charge for access.
Point is, Mike has been on the cutting edge of direct distribution for a long time. And today, you're going to hear his story, and get the inside scoop on some of the strategies he's used to make the films he loves, and make a living completely independent of the industry.
So let's get to it.
Full Transcripts & Archive
Each solo episode of Filmmaker Freedom (not the interviews) has a complete written transcript so that you can revisit the ideas quickly and easily.
You can find those transcripts, as well as the full archive of shows, right here:
www.filmfreedomshow.com
A Weekly Newsletter for Ambitious Filmmakers
Every Sunday morning, I send out a handful of stories, carefully picked to help you make films you care about, build a business, and master your psychology. Plus I share a short film I love, and various other bits of inspiration. Get it here:
www.filmfreedomshow.com/newsletter
A Community Just for Entrepreneurial Filmmakers
Want to join a community of like-minded entrepreneurial filmmakers who will push you to grow and succeed? Then Freedom Fighters is the place for you.
Here's where you can learn more about this one-of-a-kind community and apply to join our ranks. (Don't worry, it's totally free, but there's an application process to make sure this community is full of the right people.)
www.filmfreedomshow.com/community
Thanks for listening, and I'll see you next time!
-Rob Hardy
The episode Mike Dion | The Pioneer of DIY Distribution from the podcast Filmmaker Freedom has a duration of
1:12:02. It was first published
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Full Transcripts & Archive
Each solo episode of Filmmaker Freedom (not the interviews) has a complete written transcript so that you can revisit the ideas quickly and easily.
You can find those transcripts, as well as the full archive of shows, right here:
www.filmfreedomshow.com
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www.filmfreedomshow.com/newsletter
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Want to join a community of like-minded entrepreneurial filmmakers who will push you to grow and succeed? Then Freedom Fighters is the place for you.
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Audience Mapping, The Niche Filmmaker’s Secret Weapon
So, you’vechosen the perfect nichefor your films. And you’vedone the researchto ensure it can support you financially. Now what?
Well, one option is to just start making films and marketing yourself.
Just taking those two prerequisite steps—finding and validating your niche—puts you ahead of 95% of other indie filmmakers in terms of building a sustainable business around your work.
But I’d be remiss if I didn’t share the final piece to this niche puzzle—one that’ll help you create and communicate in such magnetic, compelling ways that when you release a new film, the folks in your niche won’t be able to whip out their wallets fast enough.
It’s a technique called “audience mapping,” and it’ll be your secret weapon for creating content and telling stories that are so specific, so emotionally-resonant, and so custom-tailored to your niche, that people will feel like you’re reading their minds.
They’ll feel connected to you and your work in ways that most filmmakers never experience. It’s that connection that opens the door to creating true fans, and building a sustainable long term business around films you care about.
That, my friend, the power of an audience map, and you’re about to learn exactly how to create one of your own.
Full Transcripts & Archive
Each solo episode of Filmmaker Freedom (not the interviews) has a complete written transcript so that you can revisit the ideas quickly and easily.
You can find those transcripts, as well as the full archive of shows, right here:
www.filmfreedomshow.com
A Weekly Newsletter for Ambitious Filmmakers
Every Sunday morning, I send out a handful of stories, carefully picked to help you make films you care about, build a business, and master your psychology. Plus I share a short film I love, and various other bits of inspiration. Get it here:
www.filmfreedomshow.com/newsletter
A Community Just for Entrepreneurial Filmmakers
Want to join a community of like-minded entrepreneurial filmmakers who will push you to grow and succeed? Then Freedom Fighters is the place for you.
Here's where you can learn more about this one-of-a-kind community and apply to join our ranks. (Don't worry, it's totally free, but there's an application process to make sure this community is full of the right people.)
www.filmfreedomshow.com/community
Thanks for listening, and I'll see you next time!
-Rob Hardy
Audience Mapping, The Niche Filmmaker’s Secret Weapon
So, you’vechosen the perfect nichefor your films. And you’vedone the researchto ensure it can support you financially. Now what?
Well, one option is to just start making films and marketing yourself.
Just taking those two prerequisite steps—finding and validating your niche—puts you ahead of 95% of other indie filmmakers in terms of building a sustainable business around your work.
But I’d be remiss if I didn’t share the final piece to this niche puzzle—one that’ll help you create and communicate in such magnetic, compelling ways that when you release a new film, the folks in your niche won’t be able to whip out their wallets fast enough.
It’s a technique called “audience mapping,” and it’ll be your secret weapon for creating content and telling stories that are so specific, so emotionally-resonant, and so custom-tailored to your niche, that people will feel like you’re reading their minds.
They’ll feel connected to you and your work in ways that most filmmakers never experience. It’s that connection that opens the door to creating true fans, and building a sustainable long term business around films you care about.
That, my friend, the power of an audience map, and you’re about to learn exactly how to create one of your own.
Full Transcripts & Archive
Each solo episode of Filmmaker Freedom (not the interviews) has a complete written transcript so that you can revisit the ideas quickly and easily.
You can find those transcripts, as well as the full archive of shows, right here:
www.filmfreedomshow.com
A Weekly Newsletter for Ambitious Filmmakers
Every Sunday morning, I send out a handful of stories, carefully picked to help you make films you care about, build a business, and master your psychology. Plus I share a short film I love, and various other bits of inspiration. Get it here:
www.filmfreedomshow.com/newsletter
A Community Just for Entrepreneurial Filmmakers
Want to join a community of like-minded entrepreneurial filmmakers who will push you to grow and succeed? Then Freedom Fighters is the place for you.
Here's where you can learn more about this one-of-a-kind community and apply to join our ranks. (Don't worry, it's totally free, but there's an application process to make sure this community is full of the right people.)
www.filmfreedomshow.com/community
Thanks for listening, and I'll see you next time!
-Rob Hardy