You're So Full of Yourself

Why self-promotional stuff feels dirty and not in a good way

We held the first "Pitch Like a Pro: How Screenwriters Sell to Hollywood" master class recently and, friends, we doubled capacity making my heart swell with pride and/or cardiomegaly. 

One of the topics we covered was how to craft your personal elevator pitch. The pitch of You, when someone asks, “what do you do?”

Here's a way to handle that pernicious query with grace. First, answer three questions. Then flip the script.

1. ANSWER 3 Qs
1. What do you do?
2. How do you do it?
3. Why do you do what you do (the benefits of your work or how you serve others)?
2. FLIP THE SCRIPT and begin with the benefit

For instance, if you were a financial advisor, you could answer the three questions like this: I give people financial advice… so they can grow and protect their money... to help them live better lives.

Now FLIP IT and you've got something resembling a personal pitch that isn't skeezy:

“I help my clients retire early and live the life they’ve always dreamed of. I do that by growing their money while they sleep. I also happen to be a financial advisor.”

I shared my elevator pitch which ran a little long. Until I edit it, I may have to deploy the Emergency Stop Switch somewhere between the 20th and 21st floor and hope no one throttles me. 

1. What do I do? I’m a screenwriter and script consultant
2. How do I do it? I work with TV and film writers, authors and storytellers to get their work in the best shape possible
3. Why do I do what I do? After years in this game, I have a lot of information on how to improve your writing and navigate a competitive industry.

FLIP: “I work with screenwriters and storytellers to become leaders in their field. We do this with a 90-day Creative Action Plan (to get their writing, mindset, and habits optimized). I happen to be a veteran TV writer who’s worked on Emmy-winning shows.”

We covered so much in two days. Just hang out here and I’ll let you know about the next free master class. 

The idea of promoting yourself doesn’t need to be icky. It’s better to have a streamlined, conversational answer to “whaddoyoudo?” than to launch into all the many facets of your life that perhaps no one cares about. Yet. Until they get to know you.