Sell Your Script Via a Marketing Game Plan

So you’ve finally finished writing that story that’s developed in your mind for quite some time, and you’re ready to move on to the process to sell your script. Where to go from here? You probably know, or if not, you should, about treatment, loglines, query letters and the like that are part of the script selling process. Do you do one and all, or are there best practices in selling a script? The bottom line is you need to get your writing product before the eyes of someone who wants it. You might be thinking, “Duh” – but you’d be surprised how many writers are unaware of the marketing involved to sell a script.

Aside from mass-mailing your script to as many producers and actors as you can find, there are many other potential sales avenues, including contests, attending meetings by industry networking groups, and more. It likely will be a challenge to sell your script, and most writers are not salespersons. They are writers, foremost, people who like to tell stories. Well, marketing a script is similar to telling a story. You just need to know who you’re telling the story to – knowing the market – and have a plan in place to tell that story effectively. Planning and organization are key ingredients when selling your script.

Art of the Query Letter in Selling Your Script

A challenge, whether it’s Hollywood or anywhere else, is people are not very good at reading. You need to make your script as easily digestible as possible. That means ensuring it does not immediately come across as a first draft (even if in fact it is), and is free of typos or grammatical errors. Such problems not only will result in your script ending up in someone’s Round File, it could flag your name forever and prevent future submissions from getting at least a glance from such recipients. That’s a key starting point to sell your script. From there, think query letter.

Too many scriptwriters over-do the query letter. These are simple introductions of yourself and your product. The key word is simple: your query letter should have your contact information including email address, a brief introduction, and your logline and/or synopsis. Remember, the query letter is a form of advertising or promotion for you. Get to the point, and back it up with facts or, if you have it, unique information. Be sure recipients learn quickly what your story is about, which is the big nugget of information. And if you have representation, have optioned or sold scripts, or have had something produced, most definitely include that information.

Tools and Channels to Sell Your Script

Marketing can involve many “tools,” and also “channels.” Tools can include managers or representatives, or industry contacts. Channels mean targeting different markets or submarkets, such as in this industry studio films, independent films, television, cable, etc. You should know which area is most likely to have your script read. To sell your script most effectively, often a shotgun approach can unnecessarily expend energy. In terms of tools, be sure you know how to use them properly. For example, if you’re entering your script in a contest, enter it in more than one contest. Increase the odds to sell your script by learning more about marketing tools and channels.

One last thing: don’t expect or ask too much. Just because you read in a trade publication that a screenwriter secured a six- or seven-figure deal doesn’t mean you will be getting the same once you finally land a deal. You should consider selling your script for as little as a few thousand dollars, because you want your story produced, and having it accepted and/or produced helps you market in the future. It’s like getting media attention in a public relations effort. It’s not the clip, per se, but what you do with it. You can parlay success in a single instance into a career of success. It sounds like a cliché, but get your foot in the door, and from there work to kick that door open.