Why Treating Your Pitch as a Date Helps Your Network Game

 By TaylR Goes Remote | 

Hurry up! And get in bed!

Um, Excuse me?

Approach is Key

Didn't like that did you, I know for the most part nobody wants to hear this on their first date. So why address an executive and producer that way?

It's a famous topic of discussion "Treat pitches like a date." 

Well, here's my side of this campaign. Coming from somebody who experienced - left on read rejections, I figured, I slow my roll and actually take my time in introduction. Listen, diving quickly to sell your script, pilot, or project on the first greet, is the same case as your date asking for a one-night hook up pretty much. Sorry to break it to you, need be straight forward on this occasion. I get it, it can be exciting to be facing an amazing opportunity but put them in your shoes.  At least stroke their ego a little bit, and better yet, they'll think about a green light.

So where do I start, or how should I approach them, what do I say?

You can start off by saying, what worked best for me is "Good Afternoon or Good morning." The best appropriate time for first salute is early hours. After that line, you can go in with a "how are you? Hope all is well." This gave me a lot of responses with happy acknowledgement. If they don't respond within a few weeks, hit them up with a respectful follow up text, 9/10 they'll definitely reply.

To really spice it up, do a background search on them (executive/producer/manager), and find out what they're latest or most popular projects were, maybe an upcoming story. Pick something out of your research and relate to that if you can. Sometimes faking it can make them feel more flattered to connect with you, they don't have to know about the facade.

Never text after hours like 11pm, trust me did that, dealt that, not the best scenario. In fact, you'll lose a contact, a networking friend and opportunity gone. 

Remember, only shooting for deals is asking for a F- and dip.

Let's Date...Go on a Date!

Okay! So, you scored a sit down meet up, great.

Think of it like this, the manager you're pitching to, is your date! Except, they can provide the multi-million script bargain.

Before discussing selling disputes, ask about their day, that's the least we can do, they probably had a rough start. It's important to consider their standpoint. You never know, you can come out of deals with long-term opportunities or lasting friendships just by recognizing their life too. And you have to understand, it will take weeks even months to a year to actually settle a deal with the same person you first met up with at a coffee shop. Let your busy walls down and actually relax, grow your network relationship first. A priority (friendship) turns into a fun fulfilment of vending accomplishments.

Your date will speak and spread your name to other exclusives, and depending on how well the lunch went, this can be really good for you. Setting a perfect reputation is key, don't be that annoying brat who always bugs someone about a look over for a script.

Connecting Sources

And it's not just me saying this, it's everyone.

As shown on Medium.org, written by Daniel Cronin it reads "Pitching is like dating — this is a line I have been saying in trainings over and over again and it is the one line that has certainly always created impact."  This article sets logics on how to move in terms of pitching your work to someone. My favorite line he also says is "The first pitch is just about earning a second date... first date is just about trying to figure out if you want to go on a second date at all." Take this in consideration on the next time you plan on pitching your next project. And this isn't the only article, there's many out there with the same key topic.

I hope you learned something today, like me. And know, everybody makes mistakes on their first attempts, strive on with a better intention moving forward.

-Treat them how you want to be treated on your first date. Respected & noticed.

Taylar Ryals.

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