- 1). Think about what kind of show it is that you want to make. Is it a half-hour comedy? Is it an hour-long drama? Will it be shot with four cameras like a traditional sitcom, or one camera like a movie? All of these things are questions you have to answer before you even begin to think about selling a show.
- 2). Create a presentation. When selling a series you'll have to "pitch" the concept of your series to network executives. Depending on the network, you may get as little as 10 minutes or as much as an hour. Streamline your entire show into one short, impressive presentation. If you need visual aids like images to sell your idea, have them ready to go.
- 3). Get an agent. You won't get into a network to pitch a TV series without having an agent. Unfortunately, getting an agent is easier said than done. Submit a cover letter to as many entertainment agencies as possible with samples of your work asking if they'd like to represent you. If you're persistent enough and you hang in there, eventually someone will say "Yes."
- 4). Look around at what is currently on TV and decide which networks would be a good fit for your show. If you stop to notice, certain networks are geared toward certain types of program. A good show that fits right at home on Fox may not work so well on ABC. Make a list of the networks on which you think your show would work well.
- 5). Have your agent set up meetings with executives at these networks. Depending on the quality of your agent, this may be extremely easy or extremely hard to do. This is, however, not something you really have any control over.
- 6). Pitch the concept of your TV series to the network executives. Make it as persuasive as possible.
- 7). Wait. If the network executives liked your idea and think your show would fit well with their network, they may ask you to write a "pilot" script. This is a term used to describe the first episode of any show. The pilot will then be filmed, and on the basis of the quality of the pilot, they will decide whether they want to order more episodes of your show.
Statistically, this rarely ever happens. Hundreds of shows are pitched to executives in Hollywood each year, while only dozens make it onto the air each fall.
If they didn't like your pitch, you will either get a kind rejection letter or (more likely) never hear from them again. If this happens, simply try to pitch to another network.
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