Business consultant and former MGM director of creative affairs Stephanie Palmer reveals the techniques used by Hollywood’s top writers, producers, and directors to get financing for their projects and explains how you can apply these techniques to be more successful in your own high-stakes meetings. Because, as Palmer has found, the strategies used to sell yourself and your ideas in Hollywood not only work in other businesses, they often work better. Whether you are a manager or executive with an innovative proposal, a professional with a hot concept, a salesperson selling to a potential client or investor, or an entrepreneur with a business plan, Good in a Room shows you how to: -Master the five stages of the face-to-face meeting -Avoid the secret deal breakers of the first ninety seconds -Be confident in high-pressure situations -Present yourself better and more effectively than you ever have before Whether you want to ask for a raise, grow your client list, launch a new business, or find financing for a creative project, you must not only present your ideas in a compelling way-you must also sell yourself. Good in a Room shows you how to construct a winning presentation and deliver the kind of performance that will get your project greenlighted, whatever industry you are in.

Reviews

“Good in a Room” was a lifesaver for me almost four years ago. Stephanie Palmer, I definitely owe you a lunch!

My “day job” is technical writing and CBT (computer-based training) development. In October of 2010, I finished a contracting job while I looked for full-time employment. As a rule, the fall and winter months are the worst times of the year to look for work in IT. One job became available. It was a perfect fit for me, but I knew I’d have stiff competition to get it. Not getting the job would have meant little or no income, possibly for the entire winter.

I read “Good in a Room” from start to finish, researched the company, and even its subsidiaries. I created my own “trailer.”

The day of the interview, the first question the department head asked me was, “So, what do you do?”

Instead of the usual, “Well, I create user guides, I do process documentation, I create multimedia training, blah, blah, blah,” I had a better answer.

“I create documentation that helps my customers inform, teach, sell, streamline, and succeed.”

It had the desired effect. He was leaning forward.

We progressed through the interview, and we finished with 10 minutes to spare–a little “time gift” for him in the middle of a very busy day.

I left a hand-written thank-you note with the receptionist. By the time I returned home, I had an offer from the company via E-mail and a voice mail to call them. I got the job!

I’ve worked at my current job for almost four years now. During that time, I’ve shared screenwriting knowledge with my department and incorporated it into our methodology. They’re now all familiar with the three-act structure as well as Christopher Vogler’s idea that, “Story is the user’s manual for your life that you didn’t get when you were born.” We think in loglines (trailers) now because it’s the best way to sell concepts of all types, whether it’s software or services. We’ve also helped revamp the way the Sales and Marketing Departments communicate with prospects and customers.

And I have our new intern reading my copy of “Good in a Room.”

About the Author

The post Good in a Room: How to Sell Yourself (and Your Ideas) and Win Over Any Audience appeared first on EASY Digital Pro.