Social media: A Screenwriter’s Most Powerful Tool and Worst Enemy

Right now, social media feels more important than ever: it’s one of the main tools of the social justice movement sweeping the country; and with the effects of COVID still keeping many of us cooped up in our homes it’s one of the only ways to stay connected to the news, to our friends, and to remind people that, ‘we are still here!’  

Especially with in-person meetings and networking events still mostly on hold, social media can be an incredible tool for screenwriters to keep getting themselves and their work “out there.” But not all online engagement is useful: if not used mindfully social media can go from a powerful advocacy, marketing, and networking tool, to an addiction that can block your creativity, suck your time, and burn professional bridges.

Here are 5 ‘Do’s and Don’ts’ to help you get the most out of social media as a screenwriter without self sabotaging your career and your mental health in the process: 

DO remember nothing is private

Every social media platform is public to some degree. Which means you need to be aware that whatever you post is broadcasting your taste, your personality, your brand, and your values to anyone and everyone who reads it. That might sound extreme, but even if you have a private account “just for friends” on Instagram or a very paired down friend list on Facebook, you never know who’s friends with your friends (trust me, the entertainment industry is a small world). So before you post anything, it can be good to ask yourself a few questions.

1. If you were face to face with another human being, or speaking to a crowd would you say this?

2. Is this picture (or text) something you don’t mind living on the internet for the rest of time?

3. Considering you’re a screenwriter, is what you’re posting well-written? (*Let’s say you’re one of two people up for a writers room gig and that Showrunner snoops your Instagram account - it’s not impossible that a few clever, well-written captions might be the thing to make you stand out).

DO get CREATIVE

Marketing yourself as a screenwriter on social media can be challenging. Unlike novels and short films that are posted online to try and gain an audience, you’re looking for connections that can help get your script read, sold, and made. Plus reps and development execs usually want any scripts they read to be private. If you post your logline, synopsis or anything on a public forum that gives your story away you’re jeopardizing your career and will most likely be written off as an amateur. So what’s the solution? Get creative. There are many ways to show off your writing skills without actually showing the world your screenplays. A lot of comedy writers make a point of posting their best one-liners on Twitter to show off their comedy chops. One screenwriter I know who was having a hard time breaking in started publishing short stories on Instagram. He would post a picture he took and then write a story specifically for that image in the caption. The popularity of his stories grew and before he knew it he was being approached by literary agents. Focus on a platform that excites you and then try creating content that fits that platform AND highlights your skills. 

DON’T lose your balance

It’s okay to celebrate your successes (maybe you won a writers competition or sold a script) - but keep it balanced. Share more things from your life than solely what’s happening to you as a screenwriter. On the flip side watch sharing too much and coming across as a hot mess - if you’re constantly bitching or whining about your personal life or the industry, people might doubt you’re a good energy to work with on a project or have in a writers room (and may also doubt you’d be able to handle the stress of the job). Be authentic, but be self-aware.

DON’T harass people

Whether its industry professionals you want to message out of the blue and ask to read your script, or someone’s tweet you want to post a nasty ‘anonymous’ reply to - DON’T. For more on this, read my posts on ‘HOLLYWOOD ETIQUETTE’.

DON’T get stuck in the scroll

Social Media is hard to resist at the best of times - it’s designed to keep us ‘logged on’ and sucked into the ‘endless scroll’. Make your social media time conscious and purposeful. If you want to post, do it, but then log off. If you want to read the news or connect with friends consider choosing a way to connect that’s not social media (maybe reading the news on your laptop or calling a friend). And if you want some ‘scroll time’ to zone out, that’s okay - but try setting a timer so your ’10 minute break’ doesn’t turn into two hours. Social media has a lot of benefits but it can also seriously affect our mood, our perception of ourselves, and of the world. Take good care.

What are your best social media practices as a screenwriter? Let me know @CaroleKirsch!