How to Get a Reply From a Busy Producer - Screenwriter Email Marketing Best Practices
More often than not, we get so wrapped up in the end goal of selling our script or getting the film made that we don’t really think of all the small steps that it takes to get there. For instance, how are we supposed to even sell your script if we can’t even get a reply from a producer? So today, we are going to look at some screenwriter email best practices. More specifically: How to get a reply from a busy producer 😱
And, right off the bat, if someone doesn’t reply, it’s not because they are jerks or anything. They’re just busy. They may have read what you wrote and intended to reply. But then life got in the way. Or maybe your email was just jam-packed with information and requests that they really didn’t even know what you were actually looking for.
First off, let’s set our goal. And it isn’t selling your script from one cold email. Nope, we are going to craft the very best email that is designed to get a response. And we’re focusing on that keyword: Response. An acknowledgment that they have received and read your message and replied with an answer to your request. Because THAT is the true first step that you are looking for.
Screenwriter Email Best Practices
🔸 Provide a clear Call-to-Action
🔸 Be very specific and direct
🔸 Respect their time
🔸 Provide a selection of responses to your request
🔸 Don’t go for too big of a request in the first email. Aim to get a reply and build a strong relationship.
First things first, your email has to be about one thing and one thing only. In marketing, we call this a Call-To-Action.
That means that you are sending this email with a clear action that you want the reader to take. It may sound obvious, but usually, this is where most screenwriter emails fail… They try to get too much out of the reader in one go. And that leads to confusion, frustration, and ultimately, poor results.
Now, what the CTA is, depends on what you are looking to get.
Is this a message to see if they might like to read your script?
Or perhaps you are just offering assistance to them in some area where you can provide value (This is the best one and we’ll dive into this in a future article).
This could also be a follow-up email to see if they received your previous message.
Either way, in all of these messages, your CTA is should be to get a positive response to your request.
“Yes, I would like to read your script.”
“That sounds great, I would love some assistance in that matter.”
“Sorry! Meant to reply sooner, the email just got buried over the weekend.”
Okay, so now that we know what we are looking for… Here’s the big question: How do we get these busy decision-makers to actually reply?
Screenwriter Email Best Practice 2: Be direct and clear
This is where these next couple of ideas come into place: First off, get to the point. We’re contacting busy people. They don’t have time to read a 10-paragraph email, chock-full of floral, robust detail.
If you’re lucky, they’ll just skim it. Or if you’ve written it too pushy, then they’ll avoid it like it’s a giant green space rock.
Not sure how to write your emails? We have created 5 screenwriter email templates that will give you a headstart.
Click here to access them now!
Screenwriter Email Best Practice 3 Provide Response Options in Your Email
Once you’ve carved your message down to specifics, now you add this little beaut: Create multiple-choice’s of the potential answers that they might deliver back. Yep, that’s right: Canned Responses.
You know that they are so busy and you respect their time so much, that you are going to provide answers for them, on their behalf! Amazing.
So now, if they are really busy, they can just point to one of the options you have provided - And usually, if they do end up selecting an option, they will add a bit more context as well.
Once they have sent that message back, you now have a reply. It could be positive. It could be negative. But it’s a response. And it is a precedent in your relationship. Something you can call back to later, depending on what you requested.
Here is a version of this theory done by Hubspot for salesmen who have called a lead, but haven’t been able to reach them on the phone:
As you can see. It’s uber-specific, straight to the point, and contains canned responses. It also has a dash of personality to it as well, which is always great. But the point is clear: Respond to this message.
And I know for a fact that this exact email works as I have used versions of this many times in the past.
So, since you are a creative spirit, I’ll let you come up with your own version of this email. But just make sure you include those points:
And that is it: How to get a busy producer to reply to you.
Pretty sharp, right?
So your Screenwriting Career Prompt this week is to select that Decision-Maker that never got back to you and try this out yourself.
To help you out, we have created this free Screenwriter Email Template eBook. Download it and best of luck!
Now... let's get to work rascals!
The track I listened to as I wrote this: Change of Plan, Mission Impossible - Fallout, Lorne Balfe
Subscribe to Writing Chops
You will receive all the latest news and tips from the screenwriting world straight to your inbox.
