Are you an independent filmmaker? Or an artist, a dancer, a playwright, an inventor? Are you an innovative person in need of funds? Crowdfunding for Filmmakers (the second edition), by John T. Trigonis,is the perfect resource for any aspiring Cassavetes or Baryshnikov. Published by Michael Wiese Productions this is the DIY manual for talented creators who want to control their destiny from penny one to dollar Z.

Author John T. Trigonis employs humor as he shares his own experiences as a filmmaker. “Crowdfunding is not selling,” explains Trigonis, emphasizing that integrity is “the Tao to (Ka-)Ching.”

Offering clever and enticing advice, Crowdfunding for Filmmakers guides newbies in the tricks of the trade. Through use of an engaging, entertaining style, this book will guide you to build your team (your A team, your B team, and your C team), to choose your platform (Indiegogo or Kickstarter?), home in on your target audience, and create and maintain your campaign strategy.

This hands-on, updated resource explains how to make your invitation video, what types of incentives to use, and even includes a section on the social psychology of crowdfunding.

The book isn’t all rainbows and sunshine. Trigonis also discusses rejection, including loss of Facebook friends and Twitter followers. “Take it from me,” he says, “because it happened to me.” And that is the spirit of the entire book. Trigonis provides insights from his own personal journey as a filmmaker, inspiring you, the creator, whatever your field, to succeed.

“You gotta have patience. You gotta have fun. You gotta have guts,” says Trigonis. And if you want to excel as a crowdfunder, you gotta have this book.

Reviewed by Devon McMorrow

For more about Trigonis, take a look at his TED speech: