So how does an actor get seen in this little fish big pond market of impossible FAME and STARDOM? A great deal of actors think that mass mailings are the way to go. There are literally thousands of agents, casting directors, and managers out there. How do you get seen? The average LA casting director and agent gets approximately 6,000 headshots and resumes a week for aspiring wannabees. Most casting directors and agents and their assistants simply do not have the time to go through thousands of unsolicited mail. The chances of your picture getting opened and seen is very little, less than a 5% chance. On occasion, you may get a call from them if you are persistant, but this is a very expensive and uncreative way to market yourself. Unless they specifically ask you to mail it to them, it’s a shot in the dark of success at it. If you do what every other actor is doing you are sure to fail. This is a very over-populated and competitive market, especially in LA. For most agents, casting directors, and managers, they usually only open mail that is solicted from someone that was a referral. Casting websites may also pose a problem because there are so many other actors on the site competing for ths same attention and money.
You have to be a very sharp, creative, and knowledgable entruepenuer in order to find success in this industry. Find way to market yourself that is not so saturated. You want to find a way to get 100% of there attention, especially if it is face-to-face. There is nothing more effective in business than a face-to-face meeting or that old-fashioned handshake. So what are some examples of effective ways to market yourself as an actor?
For one, campaigning yourself to non-profit organizations to hold your own event for some cause and then inviting selected agents, casting directors, and managers to attend. You are in the media, so this is a always
a good way to get attention.
A second way is a hiring a publicist. The next time you land an acting job, hire a good publicist to promote that project into the media and see how many interested casting directors, producers, and agents want to hire you. Media is always one of the most credible way to market yourself as an entertainer.
A third good example, is actually going into production, behind the scenes. By working behind the scenes, this moves your career much faster than a speed of lightening than it would if you were just an actor. Why work waiting tables, or bartending for a living while waiting for that break, if you even get it, when you can work behind the scenes as a productions assistant, intern, or even learn the art of filmmaking and become a producer. You are taken a great deal more serious and more respected when you work behind the scenes. As a producer, for example, you have a great deal of power and are able to get behind closed doors and speak to people you would not normally be able to if you were just an actor. You make real money, have power, connections, and have respect from the industry. On average, most of successful celebrities have their own production companies.
In retrospect, remember, don’t spend hours of time and money on mass mailings. Spend your time more effectively by finding better ways to market yourself. This is a frazzled and highly competitive industry with no text book on how to drive your boat and do things the correct way. You live and learn. You will make many mistakes, but if anything, remember…BE DIFFERENT AND STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD!!!
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