M dot looks at some self distribution options in 2013

DPD- (What I'm currently using)
Pro
They take no cut of salesAllows for pre-ordersManages email lists of customersEasily update productsEasy to manage affiliate marketing programsCan sell multiple films + extras as long as you pay for enough space
Can sell ANY digital or physical product
Con
Price for service is $360 to $540 per yearNo social components so you have to do all the hustlin yourselfHave to host/manage your own film sales siteNo on demand, downloads onlyHave to wait for downloads to finish and know how to play them

Comments: This is the most DIY of all the solutions so it requires the most work. The only reason I would stick with this one is because of the affiliate program potential as I have some new ideas to capitalize on this and I can help the cast/crew make $ by sharing the film which I think is important to the future of independent productions.

Vimeo On Demand
Pro
Allows On Demand + DownloadsLow cost of only $199 a yearIntegrated with many internet TV devicesThey handle the web hosting/tech stuffCan sell multiple films + extrasNice Interface
Con
No affiliate programThey take a %10 cut of each sale + processing fees which equals %12-%20 per saleDoesn't keep email lists+ can't do coupons etc
No external service VOD options

Comments: This one seems like its improving all the time- from reading comments on their forum it seems like its a bit buggy for creators as well as consumers. Unlike the latter two options Vimeo charges you a yearly fee AND takes a cut of each sale.

Vhx- (I've been lucky enough to be accepted into the Beta so I've been testing it out)
Pro
Great design/interfaceAllows On Demand + Downloads (with extras)No up front costs- they only take %15 + 50 cents per sale
Great built in marketing stuff (emails lists, coupons etc)Built in social networking magicThey handle the hosting + tech stuff
Con
NONE

Comments: This one looks really awesome- it pretty much has everything I would want except for affiliate programs so I'm going to contact them and recommend it ^_^ (UPDATE: they replied to my query and they DO have an affiliate program in the works so for me VHX is perfect)

Chill- (I've been lucky enough to be accepted into this one too so I've been testing it out)

Pro

Great design/interface
Allows On Demand + Downloads (with extras)No up front costs- Split is %70 for you %30 for them
Great built in marketing stuff (emails lists, coupons etc)Built in social networking magicThey handle the hosting + tech stuff
They can get your film sold in online and TV/Cable VOD services like Itunes, Netflix, Xbox, Ps3, Comcast etc
Con

No affiliate program

Comments: This one also looks really awesome- I like how they are more like a traditional distributor in that they are trying to sell your film in all places possible- they take a bigger cut then the others but having gotten a film in Itunes before I know it costs about $1500 a film to have it processed so if they pay that fee for you that would be great (I don't know if they do)  There is also lots of leg work in creating/formatting art to get in the Xbox store etc. So I need to learn more about what it takes to get into these external VOD marketplaces but I like that they are pursuing/offering that.

Final Thoughts: Compared to the options I had in 2012 when distributing my last film the options we have now in 2013 are AMAZING! I choose to go totally DIY with DPD and I pretty much made my own VOD service. I've been doing that for over a year now so I know all the things that entails. It has worked great for me so far and I love the potential of being able to run affiliate programs and profit share with the cast/crew BUT I also need to explore new avenues if I am to be more successful makin dat money with my films.

These companies like Vimeo, Vhx, and Chill have it in their best interest to promote your film the best they can and get the most sales they can and that is GREAT. NOW that doesn't mean you don't have to lift a finger to market your stuff- of course you do.

Prior self distribution options usually included paying for a batch of DVD's to be made then either selling them to a distributor or selling them yourself. Dvd's are great and all but these are far from ideal scenarios for me as the inventory is limited and you have to deal with the bullshit involved in selling physical retail products like paying for shelf space, packaging and shipping them, paying for retail visibility, having payments withheld due to returns etc.

Or finding a middle man to get into the Itunes store just so they can charge you $1500 to encode your film after you filled out their forms and jumped through all the hoops they made you jump through- me no likey.

One of the best things about these new sites/services is that they are NON EXCLUSIVE- you may take that for granted now but that is a BIG DEAL compared to what a lot of old school distributors offerred. Since they are non exclusive you could use any or all of them- they them all try and help you make the most money possible with your film.

I know there are a ton of other companies that offer similar services like Reelhouse, Indiereign, and Distrify and thats great! The more options the better!

If you have any experiences with these are similar companies please share them in the comments.



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