Let me just start by saying - I suck at self-promotion.  I'm not good about talking about my successes, or what I'm working on, or asking for help (I particularly hate asking people for help like in reading scripts I've written).  I'll post occasionally on Twitter, but I don't get any responses, so I kind of just shrug and move on.  

I've had five shorts made -- one just finished filming and is in post-production ("The Family Man" -- found here on SS), and one feature optioned, so maybe I'm overthinking it.  But then I start overthinking again and wondering how will I be able to stand out in such a crowded marketplace without the self-promotion?

Given that there are thousands upon thousands of people trying to cut it in this biz -- just look at the number of people entering the Nichols competition - they limited entries to 5,000  and that was with a single entry allowed!

So I guess I'm asking  you guys:  What do you do to promote yourself (or do you even try)?  Because it has to be better than what I'm doing.

Gary

Hell if I know.

But, I'll answer your question, and add a few thoughts...

I'm on Twitter. It feels utterly useless. But, I've seen many an article talking about how in today's market, you HAVE to be on the socials. As if your ability to post on Twitter speaks to your ability to execute a 100 page script. They say if you don't have a built in audience...you're starting behind the eight ball. Again...it doesn't make sense to me. Does having 10,000 followers somehow guarantee a successful film? Of course not.

I finally decided that if my only way into the business was through social media, then I accept my defeat. (My Twitter feed is basically a dead zone now.)

I do have a website. It's super cheap to maintain and it gives someone a way to find me if they do a web search. I also need a way to offset my crazy uncle's online presence (I love him...but, he's crazy...and since I'm named after him...people will find him if they search for me.) I can't let his online activity be the only return when people search my name.

But, let's be real...NO ONE is finding me through the website. They have to know of me to find me there.

I've had good luck on this site and with ScriptRevolution (multiple leads, including a feature deal from the combination of the two.) I'm also on ScriptHop (no leads), Coverfly (no leads) and Stage32 (no leads). Stage32 has helped strengthen connections that I have, but hasn't led to new connections...but, I suspect that would be different if I lived in LA. I have several connections that came from people I know meeting OTHERS at Stage32 live events.

On ALL of those sites, I try to promote my successes. Without a manager or an agent, NOBODY else is going to do it for me. Which means I had to get comfortable being seen as arrogant. Which for me, is definitely a thing. I hate talking about things that are going well for me. It feels like bragging.

(And, guess what? People read it as bragging. They WILL chop at you for it. Some people do not want you to succeed. That's just fact. But, again, if you don't believe in yourself...who will?)

The main thing I'm doing...with some success...is just putting as much out there as possible...

Also...and this is super important: I just continue writing. Pilots. Features. Shorts. And, now, prose. As the writing improves, my profile seems to rise (very, very, very, very, slowly.)

As I have successes, the goal is to build. Can I turn the feature deal into one of the contest mentorship opportunities? Is my pitch now stronger for managers? etc. Build. Build. Build.

Moving on...

One underappreciated way to build profile...actively and honestly root for others to succeed. Help them if you can. (I'm saying this for others, because I KNOW for a fact that you already do this.) Don't do it because if they succeed they might pull you up with them...do it because it's the right thing to do. Do it because it makes the world a better place. Do it because you need better content to watch on a Saturday night, and the person you help might just write it. (It's okay to be a little selfish)  

In short...Keep writing. Keep hyping. Keep helping.

(One last thing, if you've made it this far...I'd recommend that you quite digging a hole for yourself..."An utterly mediocre writer..."...I'm talking about your sig on here. I do this kind of stuff, too. It's part of my base personality. But, there are tons of people out there ready to call you mediocre. Don't feed them. Don't feed the beast inside of you. List your successes. Embrace the quality of work that you produce. Give people confidence that you can do the job. Save the self-deprecation for late at night when the wolves are howling and you're alone.)

You're the best. Embrace it.
Paul

I probably shoot myself in the foot before I even get off the starting blocks by not giving a hoot about social media - Twitter, FB, Tiktok et al irk me.

That said, I don't have a project to promote at the moment. If I did then I would change my approach. I'd get it out there in every way I could think of - Blacklist, Grey List, Bloodlist, Reddit, select comps, chase leads etc.

One thing you said caught my attention, Gary.

Why are you not posting your script on SS for reads?

We used to have so much activity on these boards and a big volume of scripts uploaded every week or so, and so much interaction. Now it's just a few of us commenting and we're lucky if the writer responds to that feedback.

Producers are still hovering on SS.
I hope they don't disappear...

PK is right about the 'mediocre' tag too, Gary
Get rid of it. Write the opposite.
I agree that self deprecation has no place in this business.

Thank you for the question, Gary. And thank you Paul and Libby for your answers. I have nothing here but I will follow for others’ input. I once read that the chances of being a successful screenwriter are akin to your chances of being drafted into the Major Leagues. I believe that is at least somewhat true. I recently entered a screenplay competition. When the “quarter finalists” were announced, there were literally hundreds. My name was not listed. And I had entered what I considered to be my best work.  For whatever reason, I still hold out hope. I ‘ve read the works of so many talented writers here. I hope you will still hold hope as well. What else can you do when something keeps whispering “keep writing”?  

Ill throw my 5 cents in here... and I'll also admit upfront that I've a Masters in Marketing, so promotion is probably a little more natural to me and what I do.

I'll also admit that I struggle to just do a 'hobby' without getting more involved, in my outdoor hobby, metal detecting, this has involved creating Youtube channel and taking on the role of brand ambassador/expert for one of the manufacturers. But both of these came originally from a need to help other people in the hobby, I have this weird compulsion to be helpful!

When I took up screenwriting the same thing happened, when I was researching how to get my scripts made and connect with producers, I found a bunch of resources (inc SS), places people posted for scripts, etc. And I felt the need to share all of these, creating articles and posts on here, interviewing producers, posting everything ehre and elsewhere so that people could get access to them easily.

And of course, my marketing background meant that I also knew that I needed to get exposure for my scripts AND the articles and the like too. So...
Website - tick
Twitter account - tick
Facebook page - tick
Simply Scripts/Stage 32 etc - tick
Inktip/Selling Your Screenplay/Blacklist - tick
etc etc

I feel that some of these were a lot more successful than others, I've given up on Twitter or whatever they call it now, Facebook too largely. I've kept my website so people can find me and I can point people at it. I'm still on here and Script Revolution but I gave up on Stage 32 quite quickly as I found it quite toxic.

Some of the other things like job ads and interviews have had to take a back seat to life, but I still throw them up here if they're interesting.

My successes, shorts and feature options, have primarily come from here, or Script Revolution, Inktip has been useful for Shorts, but not features as yet... have few have been people finding me from web searches... and that's where all the above becomes useful and interesting - the bigger your digital footprint, the more likely people can find you.

Not sure if all that rambling is useful or more of a brain dump for me but ultimately I'd try all of the things that people have listed in this thread, find the ones that work for you and is comfortable for you, and make sure you are visible regularly.

For those interested and who've not seen the articles mentioned, you can find them here - https://www.anthonycawood.co.uk/Articles

Good luck!

Thanks for all the responses -- a ton of great advice here!  And Paul and Libby, I've taken your advice and changed the signature.  No more self-deprecation, only positive vibes from here on out!

I have a web site, Twitter, Stage 32 account, SS, Script Revolution and even tried a blog at one point.  The only ones that seem to generate any interest is SS and Script Revolution, so I don't get why more people aren't on here.  If I had to guess, they get discouraged by negative reviews.  I know some former people on this site who would absolutely trash contest entries in the OWC's.  That's no way to build a community.  Like Paul said, we need to be lifting each other up.  

There's a BIG difference between constructive criticism and destructive criticism.  We should all be practising the former.

So I'm not giving up -- I'm just thinking there's got to be a way to get the word out on your best work without subjecting yourself to the "pay for play" schemes.

Best of luck to everyone making this journey as well!  Would love to hear more stories of success and how it happened for you!

Maybe (well, actually I know for a fact) some people left SS when there were a few people piling on with negative feedback, especially in anon challenges.

That's ancient history though.

SS gets proven results.

People need to return in droves.

P.S. Well done, Gary! (or I should say: scriptwriter extraordinaire).

Gary,

I’ve tried the Twitter thing heavily in the past. Facebook. And I’ve watched traffic to my website jump, though no real success to speak of from doing this.

The biggest success I’ve had was when I joined imdbpro and started querying producers directly. I’ve made some nice contacts in the industry, and have a couple producers that will read almost anything I write, providing it’s in the box of what they make. But still, I don’t have that big “get” yet. That said…

I honestly think it boils down to one thing, for me at least… Keep writing, and trying to top yourself with each new project. One day something you write is going to be exactly what they’re looking for, or it’ll be so good that they can’t turn away anymore.

Something like that.

Steve

I’m not going to pretend to know about self promoting stuff but the chaps (and their guests) on the UK Scriptwiters Podcast I’ve been listening to constantly stress the importance of making your own stuff. Especially early on as a way to actually meet people and build working relationships, which makes sense to me.

I think when we’re just hoping to get stuff up and running off the scripts alone we're quickly forgotten in the sea of others scripts out there, but if we’ve actually met people in the real world and they’ve gotten to know us then they’re much more likely to remember us for projects.

Of course that’s easier said than done though.

Sorry, I know that's not really what you're asking but I think longterm the outcome is the same (your scripts getting made).

I guess what I was trying to say is that maybe the best self promotion you have might just be your work itself.

Quoted from Pleb the chaps (and their guests) on the UK Scriptwiters Podcast I’ve been listening to constantly stress the importance of making your own stuff

This strikes me as the absolute best way to break in. I would LOVE to do this.

I've thought seriously about just learning to shoot super cheap stuff on the iPhone. I could pump out short scripts all day long just using the resources available to me: me, my house, my neighborhood, my neighbors, friends...etc.

So, why am I not doing this?

I did write a semi-short script centered around a Stearman biplane, just because my brother has one and has offered the plane, the pilot (him), and the fuel. But, when I looked at hiring actors, renting equipment, etc...I just can't justify sinking that much money into something with no clear vision to getting at least some of the money back.

But, I do think it's by far the best route. Good stuff, Pleb.

Quoted from PKCardinal This strikes me as the absolute best way to break in..

I'm hoping so!

In fact I'm looking to take the UK Scriptwriters advice and make the RaceWars script that I've posted up on here previously. Although the one I'll be taking into production has changed a bit based off the feedback I'd received, and will likely change a bit more prior to shooting.

Fingers crossed it doesn't turn out completely rubbish!