Hi, Stage 32 Creatives!

Since becoming a Stage 32 member, I’ve noticed a common gap between screenwriters and producers. Today, I want to help you bridge that gap.

In my "first life" as a businesswoman in the fashion world, I accomplished many successes. But the secret behind those achievements went far beyond the product line itself. A great product is never enough on its own, it needs an identity, a story, a brand.

What was the real secret?

I built a well-crafted fashion brand: high-quality, high design, made with a unique, sustainable raw material, cork. But beyond that, I developed a persona brand that sold me. I was the brand. My vision, my voice, my philosophy it was all part of the package.

When I eventually sold my company to investors, I saw the brand change dramatically. The identity faded. The heart of it disappeared. Because I wasn’t there.

That is exactly what I see happening in the filmmaking industry.

Screenwriters are incredibly talented storytellers, but many don’t know how to expose and build their own brand identity, their DNA. And in today’s global marketplace, you need to stand out beyond your room.

I want to help you stand out. This blog brings together the key skills I learned from my journey as a businesswoman.

Step 1: Define Your Core Brand Identity

Before you approach industry professionals, ask yourself:

• What themes consistently appear in my work? (Ex. Redemption, outsider perspectives, emotional resilience, spirituality, love)
• What genres do I gravitate toward? (Ex. Psychological thriller, sci-fi drama, historical epics)
• What makes my storytelling style unique? (Ex. Unconventional structure, immersive world-building, grounded realism, compelling characters)

Instead of saying, I write screenplays in multiple genres, position yourself like this: "I craft emotionally complex characters navigating high-stakes situations in intense, atmospheric worlds."

This allows potential collaborators to understand your voice and brand without being overwhelmed.

Step 2: Keep Your Projects Cohesive

While variety is great, too much can muddy your identity. If you’re a multi-hyphenate writer, select projects that align with a clear thematic or stylistic pattern. For example:

• If you write dark thrillers, showcase projects that reflect that intensity.
• If you specialize in quirky, heartfelt comedies, make sure your portfolio reinforces that voice.

Cohesion helps industry professionals recognize and remember your brand.

Step 3: Market Yourself Like an Entrepreneur

Selling a script requires the same principles as selling a product. Screenwriters should embrace the entrepreneurial mindset to stand out.

To build a brand successfully, creatives must master: Marketing Strategies; Networking; Communication Skills

Marketing Strategies for Screenwriters

The business of screenwriting is no different than launching a product, you must position yourself strategically in the market.

Here’s how:

• Develop Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP): What makes your writing stand out? Define your storytelling niche.
• Leverage Social Media & Blogging: Share industry insights, screenplay tips, and your journey to keep your audience engaged.
• Optimize Your Online Presence: Keep your IMDbPro, Stage 32, or Cinando profile updated and polished.

What Is Networking? (Hint: It's Relationship-Building)

Let’s start with a fundamental truth: networking is not about collecting contacts. It’s about fostering relationships. Quality always trumps quantity.

Rather than cold-messaging dozens of professionals in the hopes of landing a gig, focus on nurturing meaningful connections built on common interests, professional synergy, and a clear understanding of your brand.

When reaching out to industry professionals, keep this in mind:

• Be clear about who you are and what you do. Overwhelming potential collaborators with too many titles (writer, director, actor, producer, editor, musician, etc.) can make it difficult for them to understand what you're looking for.
• Highlight your core expertise. If you create complex characters in unique worlds, frame your introduction around that rather than overwhelming them with various genres and projects.
• Engage thoughtfully. Instead of sending a generic "Hey, let's connect!" message, reference a project of theirs that resonated with you or a mutual interest.

Mastering Communication Skills as a Screenwriter

Strong communication isn’t just about speaking well, it’s about crafting messages that resonate, listening actively, and presenting yourself professionally.

1. Verbal Communication: How You Present Yourself

• Elevator Pitch Readiness: Be able to summarize your brand and writing style in under 30 seconds.
• Clear & Confident Delivery: Avoid filler words, adjust tone based on setting, and keep responses focused.
• Storytelling in Conversations: Instead of "I’m working on a script," try "I’m developing a thriller inspired by true events, it’s been an intense journey."
• Develop a memorable tagline*: A simple phrase that* captures your storytelling voice helps people remember you.

2. Written Communication: Emails, Queries & Social Presence

• Strong Query Letters: Keep emails brief, engaging, and professional.
• Social Media Presence: Share industry insights and engage thoughtfully with professionals.
• Avoid Generic Messaging: Instead of "Hey, let’s connect!" reference a mutual interest or their work.

3. Listening & Adaptive Communication

• Active Listening: Let others finish their thoughts, ask meaningful questions, and mirror their energy.
• Reading the Room: Be conversational in networking, concise and direct in professional meetings.
• Tailoring Communication to Your Audience: Executives want marketability, fellow writers want creativity, actors want emotional depth.

Your goal is to make it easy for producers, managers, and executives to understand your strengths briefly.

Self-Promotion: How to Market Yourself Effectively

Screenwriters need to position themselves as industry professionals, not just hobbyists.

Online Presence & Visibility. Your brand should exist across platforms where industry professionals look for talent:

• Keep IMDbPro, Stage 32, Cinando, and personal websites updated. Create a comprehensive profile with a professional photo, a detailed bio, and links to your work.
• Post industry insights on LinkedIn and Instagram to build credibility.

Social Engagement & Thought Leadership. Don’t just post content, engage with professionals.

• Comment on articles & industry trends.
• Share screenwriting wisdom and unique insights.
• Offer value rather than just self-promotion.

Leverage Speaking & Panels Industry events, podcasts, and webinars give you a platform to showcase your expertise.

• Join panel discussions to speak on storytelling, representation, or industry shifts.
• Collaborate with fellow creatives to expand your visibility.

Networking Through Storytelling When you introduce yourself, always frame it in the context of your storytelling brand.

Example: Instead of saying “I’m a screenwriter,” say: "I write dark psychological thrillers that explore human morality in high-stakes situations."

This immediately tells professionals what kind of scripts they can expect from you.

Stage 32 is the perfect community for you to stand out and practice YOUR OWN BRAND.

Final Thoughts

Screenwriters often focus on the creative side of their work but neglect the business of storytelling. By defining a clear personal brand, structuring projects cohesively, and marketing themselves strategically, they increase their chances of getting noticed and making deals.

Whether you’re pitching your next screenplay or simply networking, remember: "Your brand is you. The more intentional you are about it, the easier it is to sell your work."

Let's hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Got an idea for a post? Or have you collaborated with Stage 32 members to create a project? We'd love to hear about it. Email Ashley at blog@stage32.com and let's get your post published!

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