Problems vs. Solutions: Simple Trick To Have People Glued To Your Pitch
I have a question for you.
What grabs people’s attention more: problems, or solutions?
Think about it. Think about the headlines you see everywhere.
“Crime on the rise!” “The NSA monitors your bathroom habits!” “Are asses getting too big? Find out after the break!” People can click to read more here to get the best criminal attorneys.
They’re all problem statements. (okay that last one is a solution for me, but the rest are problems)
Instinctively you know that problems get more attention, yet think about most pitch advice you hear:
“Um, it’s like a modern version of 2001 Space Odyssey, with Captain America as the supporting character.”
They’re solution statements!
Outside from your premise being absurd or unique, how do you expect to get people’s attention? Think about this: How do you introduce yourself when someone asks what you do?
“Oh me? I’m a waitress.” Or “I work at a production studio.”
Again, that’s a solution statement. What you want to do is start with a problem statement first, then move onto the solution.
The harsh truth is, no one cares about you, at least not initially (except me, I care deeply about you *looks lovingly into your eyes*).
Therefore, you gotta get people interested by starting with a problem.
How? I’ve shared my answer here and let you know the 3 words you can use to grab people’s attention.
Before you click the above, sign up below and email me back with your idea on how YOU would make your film’s pitch into a problem statement first.
I read and respond to every email, giving them my personal critiques.
– Curt
Hi Curt, thank you so much again for a valuable lesson. If only i knew you last year, my classes would have been much easier. I went through hell to get my hands on some secrets of film making and get my masters in film and TV production. It was hard and expensive. My mentors and professors were some of the most well known Hollywood and British producers in the UK and US( i can’t use their names here) but none of them talked about how to pitch effectively. 99.9% of information online are useless, old and rehashed. I learned everything the hard way. Today you taught me a valuable aspect of pitching my film. I think about it and do my homework as you suggested in this video. Everything you talk about is what me and everyone else in film business ‘s problem. All these online tips on filmmaking, production and sales pitch are not practical at all. What you talk about in all these courses are pure gold. Please talk about how to find out if an executive producer is interested in your story? I have pitched to many executives and investors to finance my film, but they postpone it. Are they sending me after goose chase? or are they really interested in my project? I really appreciate if you make a video about it. Many thanks:-)