Networking for Success
This topic is more aptly named PR for the actor.
It is what you must do to find work, get repeat work, and become known
in the business as someone good to work with. Everyone always asks, “How
do I get myself ‘out there’?” Well, networking is how. Even
if some of these techniques sound like a lot of work or too much
trouble, you must do them if you are going to become an actor. The ideas
in this article come from “How to Be a Magnet for Hollywood Success” by
Rock and Riddle and from “Out of Sight (or Ear) Out of Mind…Stay in
Touch, Meet Contacts, Network, Advertise!” by Betttye Zoller.
You have to get business cards printed, or make them on your computer if
you have the proper software; these will be like standard business
cards, except your name is the name that goes center on the card where
the business name usually is. It also has on it your contact
information and your picture, albeit small. If someone has this
card, they remember what you look like and how to get in touch with you.
You can also put “Actor” under your name. (“Actress,” of course
for women). Whenever you meet someone in the business, you give
them your card. This is getting you “out there.” Whenever
you are in proximity to a famous actor or a director or a casting
director or an agent, (and you should seek out such opportunities at
least twice a week or as often as possible) you go up to them and
introduce yourself and tell them how much you would like to be part of
their next project. It helps, of course, to begin by saying
something nice about their recent work, such as, “I saw ‘Great American
Film,’ and I really liked it.” Or, “I have long been an admirer of
yours,” or something similar. Be sure you give them your card as
you finish telling them how much you would like to work on their next
project. You can also swap cards with others in the business,
creating a list of contacts for yourself. Keep these carefully
organized where you can get at them. Make notes on the backs of them if
you need to in order to refresh your memory where and when you met and
so on. A file of these cards will be very important.
The next tools you will need are some postcards that also have
your photo and your contact information on them, along with a place for
the address, and with plenty of space for a message. Perhaps it would be
best if your photo were on one side and the other were divided between
address and message. Whenever you are in a class, or audition and
did not get a role, or you are in a show or a film, or do any other
professional work; as soon as it is over jot the teacher or director (or
whomever is pertinent) a note saying that you enjoyed or were happy to
(or whatever) work with them or audition for them, and that you look
forward to having the same opportunity in the near future. You
also use these cards as reminders that you might send to agents and
casting directors, etc. whose memory of you, you would like to jog.
Next, as soon as possible, you will want a demo reel, a CD with clips of
your performances in films and plays. These are often requested by
casting directors and if you just happen to have one with you when you
have a chance encounter with a director or producer you can leave it with
them with your card.
Carrying your resume and headshots and even duplicates of some
reviews of your performances with you at all times is also good. You
never know when you will have the opportunity to spread the word about
what a fine actor you are. Be prepared always to do so.
Always, always ask for the business card of those you
meet that are in the business. Keep an up to date card file by sending
out post cards with return address requests on them so you get back the
ones that are no longer valid. Be sure to send everyone in your
card file notices of where and when you will be performing.
The holidays are perfect for reminding people on your
card list that you are still in the business and eager to work for or
with them. Thanksgiving and New Year’s cards are especially
appropriate. You might even create a New Year’s Newsletter, a
single page of highlights from your work of the past year with photos of
well-known people you worked with. Always carrying a digital camera with
you to catch those chance encounters or special photo ops is another
good idea to follow. But postcards are the most effective, as it
will always get seen before being thrown out. Letters or cards in
envelopes are wasted money and effort, as they will almost never be
opened.
Do charity work. Get your picture in the paper when you do. When the
big stars do that it is pre-planned for publicity, always.
Whenever you update your CD or photos send them out with the “All New”
title whenever it is a propos.
Do not neglect the web. Keep a website. Do a blog. Join social networks. Comment and contribute on public forums.
These may seem little or bothersome things, but they
are the most important things you can do to make yourself known in the
industry. You must study and learn all of the above techniques and
make them your daily habit. Ignore them and you will surely fail
as an actor. You cannot rely on your agent to do your PR for you;
you have to do it for yourself.