Steps to Sell Your Content to TV Networks in Five Easy Methods
In the vast and ever-expanding world of the global content market, broadcasters and streamers are shelling out over $240 billion on content each year. To secure the best deals for your film, series, or documentary, it's essential to connect with the right acquisition executives. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you identify and connect with these industry professionals.
Industry Experience
Look for executives with a proven track record in acquiring films or series similar in genre, tone, or target audience to your project. Their experience ensures they understand your content's market potential.
Networking
Industry events, film markets such as Cannes, Toronto, and Sundance, and professional platforms are prime locations to meet acquisition executives. Personal introductions or referrals through producers or distributors can also be effective.
Professional Listings and Job Boards
Sites like Jobo and company career pages may list acquisition roles or provide contact details of acquisition staff.
Understand Their Role
Acquisition executives evaluate projects for potential distribution deals, so they often seek films or series with strong storylines, marketable elements, and completed rights.
Prepare Your Pitch
When approaching executives, provide clear materials highlighting your project's unique selling points, credentials, and market positioning. A professional pitch package aids in catching their attention.
Collaborate with Producers or Sales Agents
Producers or sales agents may already have established relationships with acquisition executives, acting as intermediaries who can introduce your project.
In addition to these steps, it's crucial to research the channel's programming and look for programming gaps to find the perfect home for your content. Use data-driven tools to track contacts, deals, and market trends to stay organized and ahead of the curve.
Remember, buyers receive hundreds of pitches a week, so yours needs to stand out by being clear, concise, and confident. A personalized pitch to the right inbox is 100x more effective than 1,000 emails to the wrong one.
Joining a centralized hub like our website's B2B marketplace can streamline the entire process, from discovery to deal-making. Our platform can help identify and connect with the right acquisition partners, reducing research time significantly.
The goal is to make it incredibly easy for a buyer to say "yes" by creating a professional Electronic Press Kit (EPK). The EPK should include a killer poster, a compelling synopsis, an engaging trailer, a secure screener link, and key cast and crew info.
If you don't hear back after sending the initial email pitch, send a polite follow-up. During the follow-up process, be prepared to discuss the license term, territory, exclusivity, and license fee. Having data on similar deals is invaluable during negotiations.
By following these steps, you'll significantly increase your chances of finding the right acquisition executives for your film, series, or documentary projects. Happy pitching!
- When researching the best acquisition partners for your movie or TV project, consider channels that align with your content's genre, tone, or target audience, as these organizations may have gaps in their programming that your project could fill.
- To ensure that your pitch stands out among the hundreds of pitches acquisition executives receive each week, create a professional Electronic Press Kit (EPK) that includes a captivating poster, a compelling synopsis, an engaging trailer, a secure screener link, and important cast and crew information.
