Pitch meetings
Hilarie and I had a another pitch meeting last week with a local investor here in Wilmington… let me tell you something folks, I was nervous going in… it's kind of surreal in a way… here we are asking for mountains of money from complete strangers and for them to trust us that we won't squander their hard earned capitol. Our industry, like any other, has had their share of failures and believe me - these investors have done their research and know this - so they are somewhat skeptical coming into these meetings. Also, the business side of our industry is kinda alien to most folks… they only see the final product - glamour and sexiness… the largeness of it all… and they don't want to be taken for a ride to pay for it.
Hilarie, as usual, immediately lit up the room and put everyone at ease (including myself)…she's got that magic. I know during these meetings that whenever I stumble or am at a loss for the right words she's there instantly taking over, flawlessly keeping the conversation going until I recover. Hilarie and I work well together handing off different parts of the business model to each other to explain in detail to our audience. We're not just asking the investors for their money, we're asking them to be part of the filmmaking process for the next several years. We don't want to only do one film… we want to grow and do 2 or 3 films a year… year after year. So as you can imagine, it's important that we all can work together in a positive and creative environment.
As a result of these meetings, we now have a couple of heavy hitters helping us out. These guys are huge additions to our team, not only very successful businessman in their own right but they also have great positive energy and more importantly they believe in us and our business model… we're very fortunate that they have come on board to support us in this very difficult process of not only raising money but to also assist us in developing SoGoPro. We look forward to working with them for a long, long time. Over the next several weeks, we're going to have several more of these pitch meetings but I feel so much more confident of raising the funds needed for Pedestrian now that we have their support!
Onward,
kt
LOOKING FOR SOMETHING?
FOLLOW US
Comments
A good thing to do before that kind of meetings: Put on a shirt that says "300% profitable". That's it. Good luck and keep the great work!
In agreence with some of my fellow sogopro-ers; in regards to the blogs that are sgp.
Thoroughly enjoyed this one KT. It's great to see how you all hold eachother up.
Great to hear you have some people on your back and you're moving forward, I have complete faith in you guys over the next coming weeks. You're already doing incredibly well.
...to the next one...
-Alina
Be a DO-er!
Oh how I've missed a blog like this. It gave me such a warm feeling to read how well you collaborate. I loved the way you described it. Definitely one of the reasons why I love SoGoPro! I'm glad to read that it's going so well with the investors, as it's a very hard part of the whole business. Keep up the good work!
~ Hanne
I am so thrilled to see an update on Pedestrian! What fabulous news for SoGoPro...and the rest of us who will one day get to see this brilliant film!!!
I love reading the blogs about how well everyone meshes together here. And no doubt Hilarie's charisma and charm work to the benefit of the production company!
Keep up the great work, guys! Yall are truly an inspiration!
:)
-Shana-
I have been there before. A little over a year ago a production company wanted to do a cable show on my team here in Baltimore. So I had to make up a film showing them what it might look like. They liked it and in got put in to pre-production. But after two months the producer left the company and they dropped all there projects, ours included. So after that I thought how hard can it be. I will just talk to another production company. Well let me tell you I talked to two others and they both wanted to take on the show, but then all the sudden they wanted us to back the project. So I talked to one possible investor, and after that I said the hell with that. So I know kind of what its like. Good thing you had Hil there with you. No one was there to back me up and it really was worse then being married to my ex.
"It's Not Haunted Until I Say It's Haunted" Bill Hartley Founder/Lead Investigator Greater Maryland Paranormal Society
I'm so happy that you guys are constantly working so hard for you dreams. Gives me inspiration to do the same for mine. Thanks for all your doing and I'm glad the meeting went well. <3 Brandal
Dear KT,
As we all know - beginnings are never easy. It's damn difficult to convince people to believe in the motives that are behind even the greatest ideas. For some it might sound totally abstract, unreal and for some reason naive, but the worst thing to do is to turn down real talent, intelligence and determination that is the engine of it all.
xoxo, Kasia
This is great news guys; congratulations to you all!
I am in great anticipation to watch Pedestrian (from everything that I have heard about it thus far it really sounds like it is going to be one awesome movie) and from reading this post it truly seems as though the finish line is becoming that much closer (which is really exciting).
Thank you for the time that you spend updating us on your progress (it's really interesting for someone like me who is light-years away from being a part of the "film-making world") and I wish you good luck for your future meetings.
glad the meeting went great keep up the good work guys. Hilarie is not the only one with the magic it seems every one who is part of or comes in contact with SoGoPro has some magic. good luck with the rest of the meetings not that y'all are gna need it! :)
Val
How exciting! I love hearing about the progress of SoGoPro as a business venture. Hoping that you are able to reach more and more people and gain the support you need. Your work continues to touch me...keep on truckin!
I must agree with Nia and Anneliese- I adore these posts. I do enjoy the other content here on SoGoPro, but I can't deny the extra kick of excitement when I realize I'm about to read an entry with the "meat and potatoes" of what you fine folks do.
It's very exciting to hear about the investors! On behalf of the whole Street Team, I must say it feels good to see SoGoPro growing every day. It makes spreading the word about SGP fun, as if it's a mission to help as many people as possible find their own reasons to love and support the company. I know I speak for a ton of people when I say you're success is in a way, ours too. We've found you, we love you and we want only the best. (I almost sound like a parent)
We are here with our unending support and devotion to help in any/all forms to make SoGoPro the best it can be! For years to come.. for all of your projects and endeavors, you'll always have us- full of our feedback and praise!
Keep it coming KT, Nick and Hil- we're LOVING it :)
Always, Kendall
i can't wait until the actaul process of "Pedestrian" begins. Congrats on a successful meeting. i hope the investors see how much work and effort has already went into this company, along with the passion and determination to make it successful. we are all so proud of you, nick, and hilarie you are truely amazing people!!!!:)
I have not understand all information(I'm french xP) but I have understand the main ;) good news thanks
Thats good news! Thanks for the update Kelly.
congratulations guys, that's so great! and i'm liking the sound of 2 or 3 films a year in the future... :)
hope everything continues to go this well for you!
These blogs, are the ones I wait for.
At the risk of sounding *old school*, it is so priceless for us to hear about the inside workings of SGP. I miss these blogs, they are so open and honest and I for one feel privileged to be able to peek into your world for a few minutes.
The funding is such a huge step forward, that is fabulous news, and one I guess shared by the whole SGP community. So now, rather than just signing off 'onwards' you can sign off 'onwards and upwards'.....
All the best
Congratulations SoGoPro Team!! Hope everything goes well!!
xoxo
Alex
Congradulations, i am so glad you have them on board, and im sure that these next few pitch meetings will be sucessful, thanks to yours and Hilaire's teamwork. This is soo exciting! Pedestrian will be great, as well as all of the other films you will make in the future!
This industry is tough, and im so glad that fundraising is going well. Sogopro will make it through these tough times, and the process and the final products will be amazing, no doubt. Congradulations again, and good luck.
Inspired Canadian, Loren
...so glad this is all getting easier :) Makes for a much smoother ride each meeting you enter.
Good luck guys. We are all still pulling for you.
Nicole - Boston
Have to be honest, these kind of updates - that are genuine, from the source and have direct relevance to SoGoPro as a film production company - interest me more than anything else. More than competetions giving stuff away, or a podcast on some random band (however talented they might be :)). I don't dislike these kinds of entries per se, and understand that they are probably very popular with others - all i'm saying is that they aren't what keeps me coming back.
So whilst i absolutely understand the impetus to create any kind of new content in order to continually engage people, I hope that you don't stray too far from these old-school entries! Personally, i am all for quality over quantity - and am happy to wait for it :).
So glad to hear fundraising is going well - i'm sure it is tough in any circumstances, nevermind in the current climate.
That is fantabulous news!! I am SUPER excited to hear it :) There was never a doubt in my mind that you guys would find the means you needed to make this film. It's Karma - like Hilarie always says - she likes to support the underdog! That's what SoGoPro is all about and ya know what....it's coming back to you!
Hope all continues to go well......
XoXo Lisa
Best of luck!
Madison
Very very good news! I am so happy for you, for us... SOGOPRO team.
Lots of love from France,
Lonae.
•"The truth is rarely pure and never simple. Modern life would be very tedious if it were either, and modern literature a complete impossibility!" - Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest, Act 1
WooHoo! Now this is what I like to hear!! I know that great things will come happen to this company and I'm so excited to watch that happen!
With love,
Ashley :)
Awesome news KT! So SO happy to hear this! :)
That's awesome that you guys were able to get them to come on board with the project and hopefully more in the furture. Well I hope the best for you guys at "SOGOPRO". Can't wait to see the finale result!
That's some wonderful news! I have complete faith that SoGoPro will keep growing. The process may seem long but well worth the wait. I can't wait to see more from SoGoPro.
Congrats!
-Melissa R.
Ah Congrats you guys!!!!! That's SO exciting!! I'm glad the meetings went so well and I'm sure the ones to come will go just as great. KT, Hil and Nick, you guys have such a fire about you that is both contagious and inspiring. I know the investors will see and feel that too. I feel so proud to be a part of it all.
<3 Michelle