Thread by @its_willyu, HEY YOU! Yeah you, the writer hoping to sign with a manager. [...]

HEY YOU! Yeah you, the writer hoping to sign with a manager. I just signed with one! While the memory is still fresh, I'd like to WALK YOU THROUGH THE PROCESS I took. Keep in mind: It isn't THE way, it's just A way I happened to take. If it's helpful, please RT. So follow along!

Already realizing that I should specify that I am specifically talking about this in the context SCREENWRITING. Cannot provide much perspective on how to get a manager outside of this world. Sorry sorry.

First off, I am assuming that you already have a script you've written and are excited about. If you don't, get to writing!

Also, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you steel yourself for a long journey filled with NOs. Also, organization and tracking of information is KEY. You'll see why.

RESOURCES THAT I WILL REFER TO:
- @imdbpro
- @googlesheets
- Streaming Apps
- Email
- @KanbanFlow
- @ScriptReaderPro
- @ScriptPipeline
- Industry friends!
- Writer friends!
- Producer friends!
- Script lab friends!
- Repped/Non-repped friends!
- Non-Industry friends!

My process unfolded in 5 Stages...
1. Research
2. Organize
3. Query
4. Assess
5. Decide

We'll start with Stage 1: RESEARCH

RESEARCH
My goal: Review the manager landscape and see what's out there. @imdbpro was the primary tool I used to identify management companies/potential managers. I knew the big names but wanted to go deeper, given my level of experience and the type of script I had.

I searched writers whose work I admired and identified who they were represented by. For example, I love Stefani Robinson's work on @AtlantaFX, so I scoured her profile for representation details. I did this many many times with many many writers.

I tracked the company, the manager, and any other managers who worked at the shop (particularly those who seemed more junior or had fewer clients). Additionally, I'd source the relevant contact information from there or turn to Google.

Reminder: THIS IS A SLOG. Be patient.

After I ran out of writers, I asked friends about shops they knew of. My script GOOD BOY is a multicultural story, so I wanted a manager who'd appreciate diverse stories.

I also downloaded @ScriptReaderPro's FREE MANAGER LIST. Then repeated the process. https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/screenwriting-managers/

130 Top Screenwriting Managers to Contact (Download PDF)

Download our screenwriting managers list of over 130 of the best Hollywood management companies representing screenwriters.

https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/screenwriting-managers/

ALRIGHT! So now ideally we've got a MASSIVE pool of potential managers and management companies that we want to reach out to. But how to sort through the mess?

So we head into Stage 2: ORGANIZE...

ORGANIZE
Goal: Neatly store all the collected contact information, prioritize who to contact, and track query progress.

(TBH, this probably was my most favorite step. Because it means that I get to make SPREADSHEEEEEEEEETS. Shout out @googlesheets for making my life easier.)

Here's a screencap of my Manager Workbook. If you click in, should be pretty self-explanatory. You probably don't need all the columns, but you should have enough where you track all the essential information you've sourced from IMDBpro, your friends, and any internet stalking.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you keep the Status and Notes columns. For Status: I color code the keywords (Red for Open, Yellow for Pending, Green for Accepted, Grey for Rejected). For Notes: I track dates so I know how long it's been since I followed up.

It's the little things, ok?

Still with me? YOU'RE AWESOME!

Before Stage 3, I want to mention @KanbanFlow, a FREE project management tool. As a PM in a past life, I find it's a simple way to keep you accountable. See below for an example board.

You can read more about it here: https://kanbanize.com/kanban-resources/getting-started/what-is-kanban/

Still with me? YOU'RE AWESOME! Before Stage 3, I want to mention @KanbanFlow, a FREE project management tool. As a PM in a past life, I find it's a simple way to keep you accountable. See below for an example board.You can read more about it here: https://kanbanize.com/kanban-resources/getting-started/what-is-kanban/

QUERY
Goal: Spark industry curiosity in my project and generate script requests.

Much like Pikachu, the industry won't know if I have something offer if I don't peek my head out.

The key is to be brief and polite, but to also intrigue. Now is not the time to be humble!

Thank you @lindazge, who gave me some tips of how to get in and out of a query email fast.

See below for an early query letter I would send out for GOOD BOY.

Quick hits, people are busy! So remember:
1. Hi!
2. Logline
3. I am special and cool
4. You down?
5. Bye!

After you've shot your shot into the ether, it's WAITING TIME!!! Again, stay patient. Start working on your next project. Read a book. Go watch something. FaceTime your family. Celebrate the fact that you've put yourself out there and value the process more than the result.

I waited ~2-4 weeks before following up. Frankly, it all depended on the seniority of the person. More senior = more wait time. I sent a VERY brief email inquiring about their interest. If I didn't hear back, I assumed that was it. Sometimes, they just needed a reminder.

PERSPECTIVE via some numbers. I probably sent out ~70 queries. Of the 70, I got 12 script requests, 1 hard no. So that's a ~17% hit rate, which, from what I've heard from other writer friends, is on the higher side. And that's just to *read* the damn thing! So keep on!

Ok need to take a break. Will revisit the last 2 stages another time or day. If you've made it this far, thanks for following along! If you know someone that might appreciate the tips, please RT.

Here's PART 2. https://twitter.com/its_willyu/status/1229532266742726656

https://twitter.com/its_willyu/status/1229532266742726656

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