3-2-1 | Screenwriting Thursday: Phones, Your Audience, Presence
Been doubling down on networking over the past week, so that’s this week’s focus.
So many opportunities come through weak ties. This is particularly true when it comes to employment.
Since writers are nigh ALWAYS in need of fresh work, building out your network of weak ties is one of the best things you can do for your career.
On with the show -
But First…
3 IDEAS FROM ME
I. Put Your Phone Away
If you're in a meeting—networking, general business, or otherwise—having your phone on the table is not a good look.
When you set your phone on the table, you signal that whatever may show up on that phone is more important than the person in front of you. Not exactly something that strengthens a relationship.
According to Harvard Business Review, when your phone is in your line of vision, whether you realize it or not, you operate in a state of distraction. Distraction makes you less sharp and less able to make a connection, which also makes the meeting less valuable.
Your focus in any meeting should be ON the meeting.
Do people keep their phones out all the time? Yes.
Be better.
Get a watch if you're worried about time. If you need to be aware of parking, set a timer on your phone, put it away, and don't look at it. Figure it out.
II. Your Audience is Not Your Audience
I had a meeting recently with a gentleman who said they judged the quality of their screenplay based on whether someone would pay to buy a movie ticket to see it.
The question is not, “would someone pay $25 to see this in the theater?” It’s, “would someone pay 6-8 figures and think this is going to translate to a nice fat ROI?”
III. What You Project, Others Expect.
Take a moment to center yourself before going into a meeting. Whatever energy you present yourself with, the person you're meeting will pick up on and associate with you.
If you're a bundle of anxiety and carrying a sense that this meeting is out of your league, that will translate.
If you’re calm, open, confident and focused, you’ll wind up sharing that experience.
How do you want to be perceived? What experience do you want the people around you to have?
2 QUOTES FROM OTHERS
I.
“It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that things are difficult.”
II.
"If you are bummed by the state of the world, go build something."
