Actors: Can social media help you get the cast?
Social media is literally changing the way projects are broadcast. All things being equal, if three actors are up for a role in a big project, the actor with a substantial following is likely to land the part. This means that if you are a smart actor, you will start building your social media empire BEFORE you are ready for a series regular.
If you’re like some of my clients, the idea of using social media for your acting career can be completely overwhelming. I’m here to tell you, don’t panic! Here are four simple steps you can use to start your mojo on social media, giving you an edge over the competition!
1. Start small
There are many social media platforms to choose from, but my advice is to start with one and get really good at it. If you’re already using Facebook anyway, why not start there? Do you love taking photos? Try Instagram! Maybe Twitter is more your speed. There is no need to overload immediately. You can always add another once you have the first one.
2. Create a plan
This is where you can get creative! With your actor brand in mind, think of a few topics that you would like to post regularly about. For example, do you have a charity that you work with? Do you like to make people laugh? Are you a foodie? You can also republish or retweet other people’s content and give them credit. Of course, don’t forget to post your acting hits too!
3. make a schedule
Once you have a few daily topics in mind, it’s time to schedule your posts for the week. I recommend using a free app like Bufferapp.com or Hootsuite.com. I found that scheduling daily posts in advance (for the week or month) is much more efficient than trying to post every day.
4. Be social!
They’re called social media for a reason, so be sure to spend a little time every day replying to other people’s likes, retweets, mentions, and posts. Reciprocity goes a long way, so keep up the dialogue with your friends!
5. Look at the clock
Be careful not to fall down the rabbit hole. Social media sites are made to kill time, so keep in mind how you spend yours. Fifteen minutes a day is all it takes to stay in society.