How to Make Money As an Actor - First, Stop Struggling!
Does this describe you and your marketing efforts
?
1. Sending out pictures and resumes to agents, and getting little or no response.
2. Meeting agents and casting directors in those 2-5 minute "pay-to-meets" but no one calls or wants to represent you.
3. Submitting yourself with on-line casting but all you get are student and "indie" film auditions or non-union commercial jobs.
4. Spending too much money on "classes and workshops" to meet industry people who won't hire you except for an "extra job".
Stop! Change your strategy to change your results!
1. Stop All Marketing Activity That Costs You Any Money (so you can start making money)!
Stop mailing, stop submitting, stop spending your hard-earned dollars on envelopes, postage, labels, postcards and those "pay-to-meets". Take some time off. Why? Because if you aren't getting the response that you need, i.e., representation, auditions and work, it's not working for you. Don't worry about what you may be "missing" while taking a month or two off to re-gather your resources and re-plan your attack. Better to do it right than keep wasting time and money sending out marketing material that will just be tossed. Yes, thrown away.
First, you need to re-think your product and clarify your brand before contacting any more Industry Professionals. First Impressions are really important. If you haven't figured out your specific "type" and "brand," guess what? Neither has the Industry. If they don't know how to cast you, they won't call you for auditions. Get advice to define your brand. Ask a career coach. No one buys a product that is not clearly professional.
2. Re-Evaluate Your Marketing Tools - The 4 things that will get you work & Income:
Excellent headshot. It's possible that your headshot isn't representing you accurately or maybe you need to re-think your "image". With the money you saved by NOT marketing with your old headshot, get a new one. Avoid the generic headshot, one with a blank smile that looks like your high school graduation picture It says NOTHING so that's the exact response you'll get! And be original. Try not to look like every other newbie, wearing the clich t-shirt and jeans. It tells every agent that there's nothing special about you - you're just following the herd. Your headshot needs to be specific and full of your personality and should tell them in a flash the specific roles you can play -i.e., prep-school dude, girl-next-door, lawyer, compassionate intern, tough head nurse, sweet secretary, suburban Dad, bad guy, FBI agent... in a specific market - primetime, soaps, commercials and film.
Professionally designed resume. Follow standard formatting - 3 columns (NOT long lines of information running across the page). List training and roles correctly- PLAY, ROLE, PLACE/ DIRECTOR, and don't employ incorrect wordage. Never say things like "stage experience", "lead" role, "student" film, Dr. blah-blah from college was my teacher or add "awards" for runway modeling or winning acting "contests". These things will definitely show that not only are you a newbie but you're still a student (i.e. amateur). Having a resume less than professionally designed may prevent an agent or casting director from calling you.
Great demo reel. And definitely have a demo reel that is amazing. If they can't see your work, they can't hire you. Live auditions are less and less frequent without a preliminary click on your website to see your on-camera persona- type, range, ability.
Website. Have one! (they're reasonable and easily put up these days so there's no excuse!)
3. Create A Realistic Marketing Plan:
Target specific agents who may be appropriate for you. Often we aim too high or haven't researched a specific agency that isn't interested in our type. Look for agencies that say they are taking on "new or developmental" clients. Most agencies, however, want ready-to-book professionals walking through their doors.
Update your marketing tools so they are the best they can be and represent you. That includes; headshot, resume, demo reel, website.
Set Goals - who to meet and when and then follow up.
Work with a Coach to assist you weekly in reaching your goals, stay on track and to get a personal referral. The sooner you present yourself professionally and have an agent, the sooner you'll work and make money!
Buy A Software Program with a database management system and communicate frequently. Send Email blasts and create marketing campaigns linking to your website. Then the industry can see your work quickly and easily. You'll book more jobs and make more money.
Always have a project you are developing, a play you are rehearsing, a staged reading you are involved in or are producing, filming a short you wrote. If you are focused on developing your talent and letting the industry know your progress, they will definitely be more interested in working with you. Work begets work...and that's how to start making more money!
Successful Marketing!
Gwyn
How to Make Money As an Actor - First, Stop Struggling!
By: Gwyn Gillis
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