Relationships are transactions – not your one-way demands
We want our needs met by execs. But what about their needs? There’s a transactional nature to relationships. Both sides should get something out of it. Recognise it’s not all about you.
Find what the other person needs that they don’t have (their “unmet need”) and offer it as collateral for them helping you in return.
The best sales strategy there is
You could reason with someone, or even threaten them – but manipulation is the best technique to bring someone on board to your ideas.
Manipulation has a bad rep but can be used for good. Studies show that if I display a prominent image of a superhero so people see it then ask them to do braver things, they’re more likely to.
Taking A.I.M.: Attention. Interest. Maintenance.
Salespeople know how to strategically manipulate a relationship to increase the prospect of a sale using these principles.- So get attention. Consider original scripts – unmet needs the exec has – and start your pitch in a non-generic, alluring way. Show confidence with a polished pitch.
- Keep interest by describing the big emotional beats of your script.
- Maintain relationships with execs by contacting them with further information to get their attention and interest.
Alexis Howell-Jones is a screenwriter who specialises in thriller features. Having worked helping people through the worst times of their lives after life-changing injuries, he writes about protagonists put through the worst pressure they’ll ever face. Alexis also runs an international group for writers called Write Then Socialise where writers get pages done and network. If you’re interested to know more, join on Facebook or contact Alexis by email (ahjwriter@gmail.com), Facebook Messenger or Twitter (@lexhj).
