Online Screenwriter Networking

You've all heard that networking is key to making it in this industry, but what if you live outside of Hollywood? With the plentiful opportunities that social media has brought to the world, you can network from the comfort of your own home, while in your PJs and with your hair in rollers. (Does anybody actually use rollers anymore?) This article will focus on networking with other writers as a way to learn more about what others have doe for their own screenwriting success. Surround yourself, virtually speaking, with other screenwriters who you can bounce ideas off of, get inspiration from, and connect to their connections in the industry.

Facebook

Not just for memes and cute cat videos, Facebook offers a cornucopia of online screenwriter networking opportunities.

 Screenwriter Profiles - you may want to create a separate profile for your writer self so that your personal news about what you had for dinner or the funny thing Aunt Mabel did isn't shared with your screenwriting community. 

Facebook Groups

You can expand your network many times over by becoming involved in local filmmaker groups and worldwide screenwriter groups. In order to get the most of these groups, don't just be a lurker - get involved in discussions, exchange feedback, and provide encouragement to other members. Once you have gotten to know some of the other members, you can send them a friend request. 

Here are a few to get you started:

• Scriptwriters Central - an open group set up for interacting with other writers about the craft of screenwriting.
• Script Writers -  an open group dedicated to writing for stage, TV, movies and all other forms of scripted entertainment.
• Secrets of Screenwriting - an open group that not only gives screenwriters a place to exchange ideas and interact but the owner also posts news and tips for screenwriting success. 
• United Filmmakers Association - the official group for the UFA with lots of great information and opportunities to network with other filmmakers and screenwriters.

Twitter

If you have been using Twitter for your own personal use, using it for your online screenwriter will be easy. If you're new to hashtags and tweats, then it might take a bit of practice to get use to this type of social media.

Twitter Bio- Once you have your account set up, make sure that your bio includes the fact that you are a screenwriter and any screenwriter success you might have had.

Build Your Twitter Network - Before social media took over the world, the "tic-tac-toe" symbol was known as a the "number sign" but now it is called a "hashtag" and is used to mark a word or phrase as important or relevant. If you do a Twitter search for the phrase #ScreenWriter you'll find a bunch of other people talking about screenwriting. Become a follower of those people and many of them will follow you back and - voila - you have a network of people working toward screenwriting success. You can also search for #Filmmaking and #Screenplay. 

Stage32

Think of this relatively new social media sight as "Facebook for Filmmakers" only without all the drama, political rants and cute cat videos. Not only can you network with other screenwriters as well as those folks who can help you with your screenwriter success such as agents, managers, and producers, but you can also list your loglines and look for work in the film industry! Their success stories page has stories about screenwriters getting signed by agents and getting producer meetings because of the connections they made on Stage32. This is a fantastic networking site that every filmmaker should be hanging out at.

Remember  - networking doesn't just mean hanging out and reading about what other people are doing and it isn't just a chance to brag about your own screenwriter success. Social media networking is about making connections and interacting with other writers. These connections help improve your creativity and your knowledge of the industry as well as take advantage of other writers' connections in the industry.