Speaking of Hollywood, Going Viral, and How to Be the CEO of Your Career
Stay ready so you don't have to get ready.
In this issue:
A Sweet Recap
On Emerging Creators
ICYMI
Speaking of Hollywood
How I Built a Branded Production Company
How to Be the CEO of Your Career
Capitalizing on Virality
Sweet Ish
A SWEET RECAP
We hosted our first Sweet Build Salon on Saturday. Was so fortifying to be in conversation with my fellow builder Amy Aniobi.
A few takeaways:
Don’t hire before you’re ready.
Boundaries are even more crucial when you’re the boss.
Try to make something like a short film early in the life of your company so you have a minimally viable product and a credit.
Communication is key when dealing with clients, partners, collaborators and employees.
As writers who are also CEOs, balancing your own creative work with running a business is an ongoing challenge. But craft is always a priority.
Many writers are not innately entrepreneurs and it’s not necessary to start a production company to be a successful writer.
Operationalizing production companies can be daunting, but don’t overthink it.
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ON EMERGING CREATORS
Someone recently asked me if I’m worried about emerging creators given the state of Hollywood.
I said I’m worried about Hollywood given how reluctant they are to embrace both the now and the future.
So many emerging creators aren’t waiting for permission, they’re using what’s in their hand, their consistently making short form work, and their growing audiences.
But Hollywood often invalidates them or treats them as a shiny object not worth genuine investment.
If Hollywood doesn’t get it together, part of their demise will be because of ego.
ICYMI
Don’t want you missing any posts. Here are some recent ones:
SPEAKING OF HOLLYWOOD
My guild, the WGA, recently released some stark numbers about the decline of TV writer jobs:
"Of the 1,319 fewer TV writer jobs for the 2023-24 season (vs. 2022-23; pre-strikes), 642 jobs were lost — a decline of 40 percent — at the co-executive producer or higher (up to showrunner) level. Lower-level writers (staff writer, story editor, executive story editor) were the next most affected with 378 fewer jobs versus the prior season, down 46 percent. Mid-level positions (co-producer through consulting/supervising producer) declined by 299 (-42 percent)."
This is beyond depressing. And feels preventable.
People like to say that the business is cyclical, but no one is certain if the industry will bounce back completely.
An emerging writer deadset on a TV writing career asked me for advice. I suggested:
Get a job. If you need one, get one. Don’t let shame stand in the way. Support yourself.
Write, write, and write. Write 1-2 splashy specs that can be positioned for sale or strong samples for when the market gets better. Nail down your writing process so you’re ready for any writing jobs that may come your way in the future.
Build your audience and personal brand. I get it. This isn’t for everyone. But if it interests you, it can be very valuable in our new future.
Develop other streams of income. Strengthen your money-making muscle, whether it’s through a part-time job, side hustle, or full blow entrepreneurship.
Network and connect. Use this time to build relationships and be of service to people and entities. Remember that writers hire writers (and writers hire directors and actors probably more than directors do, but that’s a convo for another day).
HOW I BUILT A BRANDED PRODUCTION COMPANY
This year marks the four year anniversary of HONEY CHILE, my media and production company dedicated to telling stories by, for, or about Black women 40+, or Honeys as we like to call them.
And from day one, I thought about how to position the production company, how to build audience and how to build a company that wouldn’t be dependent just on Hollywood.
I talk more about this in a new episode of IT’S GOOD OVER HERE. Check it out below or wherever you listen to podcasts.
HOW TO BE THE CEO OF YOUR CAREER
I completed the NBC Writers on the Verge program in 2016. Now called NBC Launch, they invited me to offer tips on becoming the CEO of your career.
By the way, I developed The Build Bundle, which includes courses ranging from pitching to creating your short film, to help you become the CEO of your career.
CAPITALIZING ON VIRALITY
IT’S GOOD OVER HERE, HONEY CHILE’S podcast, had one of its clips go viral on Instagram. Luckily, we had setup a CTA (call to action) via Manychat and it was the MOVE.
We were able to automate a DM to folk with a link to listen to the full episode and our podcast numbers increased substantially!
If you’re looking for a tool to strengthen CTAs, Manychat is that girl. And right now, they’re offering 30% for 3 months. Try it today. Note: I’m an affiliate.
SWEET ISH
Wicked made $100M on PVOD so far. This is a big deal and important.
Vimeo has launched a service to allow creators to create their own streaming service. Vimeo kinda already had a product like this, but glad to see them doubling down on it.
Why your film can’t secure distribution. Hint: a lot of the reasons suck.
Great insights into African entertainment industries.
NEED MORE SUPPORT?
Check out The Build Bundle. It’s a self-paced course (it’s actually six courses in one) packed with tried and true tactics, real-life examples, and award-winning strategies from my writing, producing, and directing career to help you accelerate yours. Enroll today.
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