In this post I’m going to talk about something that many screenwriters find uncomfortable when it comes to selling their screenplay. Traditionally, this method is not for the faint of heart, especially as most screenwriters are introverted (as opposed to extroverted) by nature.
You guessed it, I’m talking about networking here. But not the usual type of networking that you hear about.
Now before you reject the possibility of networking altogether, I think it’s important to preface this post with three important points:
1) Networking is incredibly easy and effective—despite what most people think (I’ll show you why in a moment).
2) Networking done right can be very effective.
3) Networking isn’t just a face-to-face endeavor, you can network by email or phone as well.
Most of the time when you hear about networking, the standard advice for screenwriters is as follows, “go to as many screenwriting events and functions as you can.”
Well, guess what? This is just about the worst advice I’ve ever heard. It’s like telling people who want to find gold to go to a place where other people have been digging for gold for the past five years (a place that is overcrowded and mined out).
Don’t Focus On Screenwriter Networking Events
Screenwriter networking events are, you guessed it, full of other screenwriters looking to pitch and sell their screenplays to producers and agents.
As a former agent myself who has been to many screenwriting events, I can honestly say that I’ve never represented anyone who has approached me at a screenwriting event or networking seminar.
What usually happens at these events is that a small percentage of the most outgoing and social people start working the room, while the majority of screenwriters (and often the most talented ones) only talk to a few people and are often too scared to talk to agents and producers in person.
There are some brilliant ideas out there, but a lot of screenwriters are too afraid to get them out there (especially in person).
What’s A Screenwriter To Do?
How do people make money on the stock market? I mean, how do they make real money?
Your average Joe will just buy stocks whenever other people buy stocks and sell when other people sell too. But the people who make real money do the opposite. They buy stock at a low price when most people are busy selling; and they sell at a high price when most people are busy buying.
The same rule applies to networking as a screenwriter.
When other screenwriters are going to networking events specifically designed for screenwriters, you should do the opposite. Now I know this is unusual and a little unorthodox, but it pays dividends. Instead, you should focus on going to events for actors, producers, agents, and directors.
Make Yourself Stand Out
If you’re a screenwriter and you go to an event for actors, producers or directors there are several immediate benefits to this:
1) As a screenwriter you’ll stand out as someone special and unique in the room (not just another face in the crowd).
2) You won’t be in direct competition with other screenwriters.
3) People will be interested in what you can offer (especially actors and directors who are always looking for great scripts and material).
Going to events outside of the “screenwriter circuit” will immediately open your horizons and put you in contact with people who are interested in your work and what you can bring to the table.
If you are able to network and connect with directors and actors who love and support your work, then these same people can be great champions for you and promote your work to other agents and producers.
Now I’m not saying to completely avoid screenwriting events altogether, but I do strongly caution against focusing exclusively on these types of events, when there’s much to be gained from seeking out other, richer networking opportunities.
Networking By Phone And Email
As mentioned earlier in this post, it’s important to remember that networking isn’t just a face-to-face strategy. Lots of successful screenwriters use either the phone or email to network with agents and producers.
Networking by phone and email, however, requires that you get the agent or producers contact details beforehand. If you’re going to reach out by phone or email you’ll want to make sure that you have a pre-prepared phone script or query letter ready to go before you make contact.
Using Social Media
I’ll cut straight to the point. A lot of people want to use social media to network with producers and agents that way.
Social media (like Twitter and Facebook) has its uses. And for finding jobs, LinkedIN is a great networking tool. But if you’re an uncredited screenwriter who wants to network successfully with agents and producers be very careful how much time you spend networking on social media.
Social media can be a huge time waste and if you’re not careful you’ll end up using a lot more time and energy trying to network on social media with very poor returns.
Networking on social media with agents and producers is difficult, but not impossible. I’m not going to get into the ins and outs of how to network on social media here (you can read more about networking with Facebook and twitter here).
I would say that if you want to try this form of networking then it’s important to remember that social media is “social” more than a networking and promotion tool. Therefore, you need to spend considerable time involved in conversations on social media and building your network that way.
Some people love social media and some people hate it. I’m yet to meet a productive screenwriter who is a big fan of social media (they use it, but don’t love it).
The screenwriting discipline really doesn’t lend itself too well to the distractions of social media—especially for the serious screenwriter who wants to make it in Hollywood.
Forums And Website Discussions
As a final form of networking, it’s not a bad idea to hang out in various forums and website where you can talk to other screenwriters and, even better, directors, producers and agents.
Check out a list of popular screenwriter forums here.
Here you can help answer questions and build relationships that way. Again, however, the focus is on helping and being social, rather than just promoting your work and trying to get ahead.
Some useful websites where you can promote your work and network are:
These websites give screenwriters the chance to actively promote their work and talk to other industry professionals in the comments section.
This form of networking is relatively easy and doesn’t take anywhere near as much time as social media networking. Overall, I would say that the best way to network is to know what kind of person you are. Do you like networking in person, by email, over the phone, or through social media?
The worst thing you can do is try to network using all the different methods described above. It will be far too time consuming to do this and you won’t see the best results.
Instead, for best results, I recommend picking one or two forms of networking that you think you can do well at and focus on those. That way you’re sure to see more effective returns compared to people who try to do everything and get stuck in the networking trap of high effort, low returns.
*Liz Fairbanks has worked as a reader, development assistant, and talent agent in Los Angeles over the last seven years. Liz loves traveling, reading and yoga. Liz also works as a freelance consultant for Script Mailer (a company that connects screenwriters with agents and producers in Hollywood).