Tell us about a time when you had to pitch a story idea to a client or supervisor. How did you convince them?
Creative Writer Interview Questions
Sample answer to the question
I had to pitch a story idea to a client for a marketing campaign I was working on. I convinced them by highlighting the unique selling points of the idea and explaining how it aligned with their target audience. I also provided examples of successful campaigns that utilized similar strategies, which helped build credibility. Additionally, I created a visually appealing presentation to showcase the concept and its potential impact. The client was impressed by the thoroughness of my pitch and the compelling narrative I presented, ultimately leading them to approve the idea.
A more solid answer
One time, I had to pitch a story idea to a supervisor for a print publication. The idea was to do a feature story on a local artist and their journey to success. To convince my supervisor, I prepared a detailed proposal that highlighted the artist's unique style and their impact on the community. I also conducted thorough research on the artist's background and accomplishments. During the pitch, I utilized my critical thinking skills to anticipate any potential objections and addressed them proactively. I emphasized the artist's relevance to our target audience and explained how the story would resonate with our readers. I even included examples of similar successful stories that had garnered positive response from readers. The supervisor was impressed by my preparation, creativity, and ability to articulate the idea convincingly. They approved the pitch, and the story went on to receive positive feedback from readers.
Why this is a more solid answer:
The solid answer provides more specific details about the candidate's experience pitching a story idea and how they convinced their supervisor. It addresses the evaluation areas of creativity, critical thinking, and communication skills. However, it could be further improved by incorporating examples of collaboration and problem-solving, which are also mentioned in the job description.
An exceptional answer
Let me tell you about a time when I had to pitch a story idea to a client for a video production project. Our team had come up with a concept for a heartwarming video that showcased the client's brand values and connected with their target audience on an emotional level. To convince the client, I prepared a comprehensive pitch that included a detailed creative brief, mood boards, and a script outline. I also conducted market research to support our approach and provided data-backed insights into the target audience's preferences. During the presentation, I focused on building a strong rapport with the client by actively listening to their needs and concerns. I tailored my pitch to address those concerns and emphasized how our concept would help overcome any challenges they were facing. Additionally, I showcased our team's expertise by highlighting our previous successful projects and how they aligned with the client's goals. The client was highly impressed by our thorough understanding of their brand, the emotional resonance of our concept, and our ability to problem-solve and collaborate effectively. They not only approved the idea but also increased the budget to ensure we could deliver a high-quality video production.
Why this is an exceptional answer:
The exceptional answer goes above and beyond the basic and solid answers by providing more specific details and showcasing the candidate's ability to think critically, problem-solve, collaborate, and demonstrate exceptional communication and interpersonal skills. It aligns perfectly with the evaluation areas and job requirements mentioned in the job description.
How to prepare for this question
- Research the client or supervisor to understand their preferences and previous work.
- Prepare a detailed and visually appealing presentation with mood boards, concept art, or script outlines.
- Anticipate potential objections or concerns and address them proactively.
- Focus on building a strong rapport with the client or supervisor and actively listen to their needs and concerns.
- Highlight your previous successful projects and how they align with the client's goals.
What interviewers are evaluating
- Creativity and imagination
- Critical thinking and problem-solving ability
- Good communication and interpersonal skills
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