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It’s just amazing how much opportunity has opened up to actors as a result of the Internet in the form of chats, blogs, and Social Network type websites.  Not only can you list yourself on IMDB and Wikipedia, but you can also create a profile on My Space, Facebook, Twitter, etc., etc., etc.  And join like minded groups, market your interests and special skills while making a contact network of friends and peers that mutually support each other’s acting advancement.  I will not go into detail about each of these options.  But start clicking around to see what is available at these sites and others like them. And I have to state for the record that AuditionsLA.com does not endorse or advise that you participate in any of these websites without educating yourself in caution and responsibility.  But once you are aware of your own safety, privacy, and secure use of these sites, they can really open up outlets and resources for you to promote yourself and projects you’re working on like plays, commercials, episodes of TV shows and upcoming performances.

Likewise, you can create and expand on your picture and resume on websites or blog spots you create for yourself on free space provided by most Internet service providers like Earthlink and the like.  Many of these providers, as part of your service fee, give you several email boxes (profiles) as well as your own small web page that you can send as a link to interested parties, or post on your profile page on various social network sites.

For a small fee, you can use a template based webhosting company to create a little more sophisticated website for yourself and purchase your own domain name (your name.com) through these companies as well.  This can be simple, or more dimentional with several pictures posted and even your demo reel as a video file for visitors to view.  There are several actor friendly companies you can find by using Google or other search engines to locate the one that suits your needs.  You can also find a good one by searching for specific actors by name and see what companies they use (there will be a logo usually on the home landing page that says something like:  website sponsored by…, or website built by…).

Chat groups and blog spots are another amazing resource.  By posting comments and leaving contact info for others who visit these spots, you can set up a network of like minded community members who can offer advice, info, and encouragement.

To find out about more of these resources, click around on the sites listed above, and create space on the free sites if you haven’t already.  Ask your peers where they are listed, join actor groups when possible.  See what your friends recommend and go from there.  Please use caution and common sense, and do not reveal any dangerous or accessible information about yourself…for example, use a dedicated email address for contact from these website communications, not your personal one.  Never give out home or other personal contact information that can be viewed by strangers.  Get yourself a P.O. Box if some of your Internet activities include snail mail contact with others.

But take advantage of these amazing and mostly free places to promote yourself, while building up a supportive group of advocates and peers.

Let’s get clicking!!

Beth

It can’t be stressed too loudly or too often that actors have an obligation to provide good, honest marketing.  There are various articles on this website that cover what is expected in the way of headshots and a resume, and if you are fortunate enough to need it, a bio is also acceptable.

After you have the perfect headshot, that represents the “you” that will walk through the door into the casting meeting, and after you have constructed an organized and thorough resume, that clearly represents your experience and abilities…it’s time to construct a basic bio.  This is not a press release.  This is a longer version of what you would put in the Playbill if you were starring in a play.
It is less about what you’re doing now, and more about how you got here.  Where you were born, your training, your early experience, what brought you to Los Angeles, interesting hobbies, humanitarian works, special skills, unusual background (let’s say you studied cooking in Paris, and therefore speak fluent French and can bake a perfect baguette) all should be included to make a verbal picture of the well rounded you.  This is a tool your agent and/or publicist will use to introduce you to perspective interviewers, writers, magazines, etc.  It is also something that can go along with your picture and resume for general interviews and general casting meetings, to introduce you to new potential employers.

If you are a hustler, you may even generate your own press from time to time in hometown newspapers, on friends’ websites, on websites of theaters you’re working with, etc. and this will be a good starting place for more personal articles to begin.

With all the Internet opportunities for actors and marketing, this is also a good way to start thinking about how to present yourself in an interesting light that strangers (especially those who will hire you) will be encouraged to take a second look.  This will hopefully come as an interview or audition.

Be honest, but be colorful.  On our “about Joel and Beth” page, you can see samples of our bios, as well as clicking on our personal website links and seeing longer versions at our personal sites.  There are also examples on some Facebook fan pages and some IMDB pages.  Google actors you’re interested in and see what you can find about them…it will also give you ideas about how to promote yourself.

It’s so odd to adjust to the idea that YOU are the product…but commercial marketing principles apply, and those who are good at marketing have an added shot to success.

Get writing…

Beth

It’s just amazing how much opportunity has opened up to actors as a result of the Internet in the form of chats, blogs, and Social Network type websites.  Not only can you list yourself on IMDB and Wikipedia, but you can also create a profile on My Space, Facebook, Twitter, etc., etc., etc.  And join like minded groups, market your interests and special skills while making a contact network of friends and peers that mutually support each other’s acting advancement.  I will not go into detail about each of these options.  Start clicking around and see what is available at these sites and others like them. And I have to state for the record that AuditionsLA.com does not endorse or advise that you participate in any of these websites without educating yourself in caution and responsibility.  But once you are aware of your own safety, privacy, and secure use of these sites, they can really open up outlets and resources for you to promote yourself and projects you’re working on like plays, commercials, episodes of TV shows and upcoming performances.

Likewise, you can create and expand on your picture and resume on websites you create for yourself on free space provided by most Internet service providers like Earthlink and the like.  Many of these providers, as part of your service fee, give you several email boxes (profiles) as well as your own small web page that you can send as a link to interested parties, or post on your profile page on various social network sites.

For a small fee, you can use a template based webhosting company to create a little more sophisticated website for yourself and purchase your own domain name (your name.com) through these companies as well.  This can be simple, or more dimentional with several pictures posted and even your demo reel as a video file for visitors to view.  There are several actor friendly companies you can find by using Google or other search engines to locate the one that suits your needs.  You can also find a good one by searching for specific actors by name and see what companies they use (there will be a logo usually on the home landing page that says something like:  website sponsored by…, or website build by…).

Chat groups and blog spots are another amazing resource.  By posting comments and leaving contact info for others who visit these spots, you can set up a network of like minded community members who can offer advice, info, and encouragement.

To find out about more of these resources, click around on the sites listed above, and create space on the free sites if you haven’t already.  Ask your peers where they are listed, join actor groups when possible.  See what your friends recommend and go from there.  Please use caution and common sense, and do not reveal any dangerous or accessible information about yourself…for example, use a dedicated email address for contact from these website communications, not your personal one.  Never give out home or other personal contact information that can be viewed by strangers.  Get yourself a P.O. Box if some of your Internet activities include snail mail contact with others.

But take advantage of these amazing and mostly free places to promote yourself, while building up a supportive group of advocates and peers.

Let’s get clicking!!

Beth