Strategies to Successfully Distribute Children's Content in Five Key Points
In the dynamic world of children's entertainment, understanding the intricacies of content distribution is crucial for success. Here's a guide to help you navigate this challenging landscape and make the most of your kids' content.
Crafting the Perfect Pitch
When reaching out to potential partners via email, it's essential to clearly state your intentions and showcase your content's unique appeal. A well-structured email might look like this:
Subject: Pitch: Animated Comedy (6-9) - [Your Show's Title]
I saw your recent interview on the need for girl-led comedies and believe my show, [Your Show's Title], is a perfect fit. I've attached our pitch deck and would be happy to share the sizzle reel. Are you the right person to review this?
Key Elements of an Effective Strategy
To effectively license and distribute your kids' content globally, a segmented, windowed, and territory-based licensing strategy is the way to go. This approach maximizes revenue by segmenting your content distribution by region, time period, and platform type.
- Windowing: Release your content in carefully sequenced windows—start with a theatrical or premium early window in high-value territories, followed by SVOD or AVOD platforms, and later to lower-tier outlets or pay-TV.
- Territorial Licensing: License rights on a per-region or country basis, piecing together deals with multiple partners rather than conceding global all-rights deals.
- Partner with Major Children’s Content Platforms: Secure distribution deals with platforms like Netflix and YouTube Kids to access large, engaged audiences and support global reach.
- Operational Excellence with Supply Chain Management: Streamline internal workflows for rights management, localization, and delivery to meet the technical requirements and timelines of international platforms.
- Leverage Verified Global Partners: Engage trusted vendors and media service providers in over 140 countries to ensure quality localization and compliance.
Preparing Your Sales Materials
A killer pitch deck, sizzle reel, show bible, full scripts, and episode(s) are essential sales materials. Knowing the basics of licensing fees, revenue shares, and distribution windows is important to protect your IP and ensure the best possible deal.
Choosing Between a Distributor and Going Direct
The choice between working with a distributor or going direct depends on your producer's goals and resources. A distributor can offer access to deeper relationships with platforms worldwide and package the show with others to get better deals, but they take a percentage (usually 20-35%). Going direct gives you more control and keeps 100% of the license fee, but requires more effort in networking and pitching.
Researching Potential Partners
Researching potential partners is crucial. Analyse their current catalog, understand their audience, identify their business model, and follow the news to find the best fit for your content. Building a curated list of acquisition executives and distributors is important for a targeted approach.
The Five Steps to Successfully License and Distribute Kids' Content
- Package Your Show for Sale
- Master the Market
- Find the Right Buyers
- Pitch and Follow Up Like a Pro
- Understand the Deal
In conclusion, navigating the world of kids' content distribution can be challenging, but with a strategic approach, operational excellence, and targeted research, you can maximize your content's global reach and monetization potential.
- To complement your strategic approach in the children's lifestyle sector, consider incorporating elements of education-and-self-development into your content, providing a well-rounded package that appeals to both children and their parents.
- After successfully launching your kids' entertainment content, consider expanding your brand by introducing merchandise and experiences that cater to kids' lifestyles, such as educational games, books, and themed events, capitalizing on the brand's popularity and generating additional revenue streams.
