A “NO” Is As Good As A “YES”?
🧠 Mindset: Five Tips to Find a Better “Yes”.
Now that the WGA and the Screen Actors Guild have finally settled their long-standing strikes, it’s time to rev up and start developing and pitching new projects and content.
Creative people are determined to hear the “yes” that allows us to move forward to make our passion or “pay-the-bills” projects.
But unfortunately, most of us spend days, weeks and months waiting for the “yes,” when it may be just as important to hear a fast “no.”
Why?
A fast “no” frees you from the anxiety and aggravation of feeling like you have no control over your creative, professional life. To avoid endless waiting, I try my best to set deadlines for a response or decision. It sounds audacious, but in the business world, setting a date to hear a “go” or “no go” is common.
We are in the midst of pitching a TV series about remarkable women throughout history whose accomplishments have not been fully recognized. So far, we have been turned down by a few networks and streamers, but that’s okay. We welcome the feedback, thank the decision making executives for their time, pack up and move on. (The European version of the series is moving ahead thanks to development funding from Creative Europe).
The most important reason to set a deadline for a response creates the impression that others are interested in your project, whether or not that is true.
Remember, the decision-maker may pass on your project, but don’t take it personally. It took the producer of the Netflix mega-hit The Queen's Gambit about 12 years to sell that series about an orphan who is a chess prodigy.
Quick Tips to Get to a Faster “Yes”
Here are five tips to help you accept rejection and move on to find a better “yes.”
Adjust your expectations. While it’s admirable to aim high and be determined to sell your script, series or film to Netflix, Hulu, HBO or Amazon, the chances are slim. If you have not worked with the showrunner or decision-maker on a previous project, or haven’t secured a respected collaborator who has, the truth is that your chances of making a fast sale are very slim.
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. It’s a total cliché, but every successful entertainment professional has a slate of projects in various states of development. So, if you are lucky enough to book that in person or Zoom pitch, always prepare at least three pitches to keep the conversation going. (One of my friends who is a successful producer had 21 projects in a binder she carried into pitch meetings. It took about four years for her to sell one major series, so be patient.)
Know everything about the person you are pitching. Do your homework. There is no excuse for not knowing everything about the person who may hold your ticket to show business success. Dig up the details of every project they have green-lit. Know what they do to relax in their free time. Find the organizations and charities they support. Know a few basic family details.
(As a green news reporter, I was shocked when the CEO of a multi-billion dollar global company asked me if my daughter had won any ribbons lately at her recent horse shows. He obviously had an assistant find out information about my family. Everyone loves to talk about themselves, so leave room for casual conversation).
Conduct competitive research. Nothing is worse than pitching a project too similar to one the network or streamer has already produced or is in production. Knowledge is power. Subscribe to the free daily alerts from trade publications like Variety, Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter.
Network like crazy: The entertainment industry is very small, despite the giants who control most of the global content. Figure out who you know who might know the decision-makers you need to connect with. Our workshop participants and private coaching clients are taught our specific Showbizing strategy for making valuable connections.
