Advanced Marketing Techniques for
Actors
The
headshot (an 8 x 10 photograph of an actor), cover
letter (a brief letter introducing an actor) and résumé
(a listing of training and experience in the performing
arts) are the traditional tools that actors use to
market themselves. Actors send them to casting
directors, talent agents and other industry
professionals in an effort to obtain work and
representation.
But these tools are not the only tools at an actor’s
disposal. Sophisticated actors know that there are many
other tools an actor can use to get his face, name and
talents in front of decision-makers. Sophisticated
actors use an array of postcards, business cards,
thank-you notes, greeting cards, and performance
invitations to sell themselves to directors, producers
and agents.
Actor Postcards
Postcards, small and inexpensive pieces of
mailing, are a great way for actors to keep in touch
with casting directors. Postcards can also be sent as
thank-you notes. Actors can put their headshots and
contact information on these postcards. Later, if a
casting director is auditioning actors for an upcoming
movie, the postcard may help the actor gain
consideration for an audition.
Business Cards
Actors can use their headshots to produce
business cards. An actor's business card is similar to a
traditional business card, except that an actor’s
business card will contain the actor's headshot and
contact information (or the contact information of his
or her agency).
Actors can use their business cards to market
themselves. Instead of carrying around a bunch of 8x10
headshots, actors can carry their business cards in
their wallets and pocketbooks. They can then pass out
these business cards to network with industry
professionals or other actors.
Thank-You Notes
A thank-you note is a note of thanks that an
actor sends to a casting director, perhaps thanking him
for the opportunity to audition. Actors usually send
thank-you notes in the form of a postcard. The postcard
contains the actor's headshot and contact information
(or his agent's contact information). Thank you notes
are a great way for an actor to establish a relationship
with a casting director, increasing the actor's chances
of getting more auditions and future consideration for
acting roles.
Greeting Cards
Greeting cards are tools that sophisticated
actors use to maintain relationships with casting
directors and other decision-makers. When important
holidays come around, such as Christmas or Thanksgiving,
an actor can send a greeting card. The greeting card
might contain a “happy holiday” message along with a
more personal message, such as “Thanks for giving me the
chance to audition last month”. It’s a great way to use
the holidays as an excuse to contact decision-makers
without being a pest about it.
Performance Invitations
When an actor is performing in
a play or film, it may be a good idea to let directors
and producers know about it. This way, the actor
essentially gets a “free” audition, using that
performance as a way to get directors and producers
interested in the actor. Therefore, the actor might send
an invitation to decision-makers, identifying when and
where a performance might take place.
To be sure, traditional forms of marketing are
always the most effective way for an actor to get
noticed. But sophisticated actors know that you must use
every available resource—greeting cards, thank-you
notes, business cards, postcards, invitations—and other
tools to give yourself that extra edge.
