Ways to Make Your Pitch
You have a few options when it comes to choosing how to make your pitch. Developing a Web site for your production can instantly put your production package into the hands of anyone with an Internet connection. As with your image package, you don't have to spend a fortune creating an attractive, easy-to-navigate Web site. But avoid using the one-layout-fits-all pages that are available on free blog sites. Freebies are fine, but a cheap, generic appearance isn't conducive to projecting a professional image.
Many Internet service providers such as EarthLink offer Web space with their member packages and include templates for customizing a Web site. You can upload graphics, arrange the site layout, and add links that will quickly take users to pages on the site. A simple well-designed Web site is an excellent way to promote yourself and your project. By keeping the site simple, uncluttered, and easy to read, you'll keep your potential investors or producers focused on what you have to say about the project you're pitching.
A poorly designed and difficult to navigate Web site can be disastrous to your professional image. Using harsh colors or reversed type set onto dark backgrounds is a visual turnoff, as are overly complicated graphics that load slowly. Always test your site on several different browsers to make sure it loads well on each and is easy on the eyes.
Remember that a Web site is an accompaniment. Don't rely too heavily on the site to pitch your production. For one thing, you'll have no idea who is viewing your site or for how long. Invisible counters can show the number of hits your Web site is receiving and can give you a rough idea of the traffic you're receiving, but they won't tell you if the viewer has logged onto your site for ten minutes or ten seconds. Counters also won't tell you if your site is being perused by a potential investor or a casual Internet surfer.
The Hands-On Approach
Nothing beats working with potential investors face to face. If you direct a financier to your Web site to gather information about your production, you can put yourself and that individual in an awkward position. Will he call you if he likes what he sees? What if you don't hear from him? Will you call him in a few days to ask if he's had a chance to peruse your site? If he hasn't, what do you say next? If at all possible, you're much better off trying to arrange a meeting in person. If a meeting isn't possible or practical, send a copy of your production package so that you'll have a solid reason to make a follow-up call.
Word of Mouth
One tried-and-true method of networking is word of mouth, and when you're searching for financing this is especially helpful. For starters, make sure that everyone you know (including your mother) is aware that you've got a brilliant new film in the works and you're actively looking for financing.
There are a number of ways you can work your project into conversations without sounding needy or pushy, but one sure-fire way to turn people off is to carry on about yourself. Use sound judgment and instinct when promoting your project, and you'll never bend anyone's ear.
A proper approach to this is to speak in glowing terms about everyone else who is involved in the project with you. For example, mentioning your cinematographer's latest artistic accomplishments makes you artistic by association. Discussing the screenplay you've optioned for your production that was penned by a bright new writer suggests that you're bright enough to have optioned it. The trick is not to get carried away. If you insist that your brilliant new screenplay was written specifically with Tom Cruise and Salma Hayek in mind, you'll blow your credibility to pieces.
