Changing careers is tough no matter what, but establishing your own business is particularly challenging. I am an aspiring screenwriter with a day job, so I’m not immune to the struggles more traditional entrepreneurs face. I am, in one sense, a brand, so I struggle with the question all businesses face- how do I promote myself and my “brand”? Even more challenging for me is the glaringly-obvious fact that I don’t live in Los Angeles; a reality that many established screenwriters believe makes all the difference because of the tremendous networking opportunities that city presents. So how does a burgeoning business owner overcome some serious hurdles when they’re just starting out?
And like a knight on a white horse about to save the day, the World Wide Web is invented just in the knick of time! You can carve out a little piece of that vast, mysterious world for your business. Embrace social networking, even if you bristle at the thought of using- gasp!- Facebook or Twitter. I’ve discovered something quite remarkable about these sites- I think they’ve improved my creative writing skills. I can post anything and everything that floats into my mind and you know, a lot if it is actually pretty good stuff. But perhaps the biggest benefit to using both sites is the ability to link up with other professionals in your field (or find potential customers). I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard stories about screenwriters who have connected with someone on Facebook and that relationship ended up leading to an incredible professional opportunity for them.
Part of establishing a Web presence includes having a killer website. That’s your face to the world, so don’t cut corners with it. Make sure it truly represents you and your product, because often times, that is the first point of contact a potential customer has with your business. First impressions count for a lot, even with something as anonymous as the Internet. What does your website say about your business? Does it scream, “I’m an oasis of awesomeness that you simply must see to believe”? Or does it just mumble, “I really didn’t put a lot of thought into this site, and you know, I didn’t put a whole lot of thought into my business, too”? And as you can probably guess, I’ve heard stories about screenwriters who have snagged choice writing assignments because a producer was so impressed by their website.
Use the Internet to seek out professional or membership organizations that will help enhance your already amazing network. Whether you desire access to customers or other businesses, the Internet is a goldmine of information. I use just three websites when I’m ready to start pitching a script, and you know, I actually had success with one of them. I optioned my first script to an LA-based producer I found on one of those sites, so you never know how big the payoff could be. There are a lot of resources out there in cyberspace, but they won’t come to you. Use your social network (real or virtual) to find the resources you need, and marvel at how big your web can get!
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Jennifer Green is a Maryland-based screenwriter. Her web can be found at:
Web: www.jennygreenwrites.com | Twitter: @jennygreen76 | Facebook
