From Amateur to Career Actor: The Importance of Confidence in Marketing Yourself

Are you too embarrassed to create a professional Facebook page or reach out to press to promote your work as an actor? Do you find the idea of self-promotion cringey? While it may not come naturally to you, marketing yourself is a crucial step in building a successful career as an actor. In fact, the difference between an amateur and a career actor usually comes down to the ability to confidently promote yourself and your personal brand. The harsh reality is that even the most talented actors struggle to make it in the industry without a strong marketing strategy (and 9 times out of 10, a whole marketing team behind them.) So, while it may be uncomfortable, it's essential to overcome your reluctance and take control of your career by dynamically marketing yourself as an actor.

One of the main focuses of Artist's Strategy is to assist actors in building a solid marketing plan to showcase their talents and unique offerings to the industry. I know, I know, when you're just starting out it can feel like there's a million things to learn and you might not think of marketing as a priority. But trust me, it's a game-changer. 98% of businesses can't survive without it, and the acting industry is no different. So don't shy away from promoting yourself and your brand through social media, press outreach, or any other means. It's time to take control of your career and make it happen. 

It’s true that self-promotion is rarely as fun as the acting itself. But here's the thing: as a career actor, you don't have the luxury of feeling shy about putting yourself out there. The industry needs to know who you are, what you bring to the table, and why you're different from all the other actors out there. It’s not on your customers (read: casting directors, producers, directors, fan base) to just “figure that out.” It’s on you as a business to clearly communicate that to them. And that's where a solid personal branding strategy comes in. It's all about highlighting your strengths, what makes you unique, and how you can make the industry and the audience's life better. That's the heart of any successful marketing effort, and it's no different when it comes to actor marketing. At the end of the day, people want to know what problem you solve and how you can do it better than anyone else.

If you're struggling to answer the question of what makes you unique and how you can solve problems better than anyone else, that's okay. It's a process, and it takes time. But don't give up on it. Instead, accept that it may be a challenge and work on figuring it out. Once you understand what's holding you back, you can make room for a more confident, strategic version of yourself as a career actor. And let's be real, sometimes faking it till you make it is necessary in this business. Just like any other industry, it takes time, patience, and a bit of strategic thinking to make it to the top.

When it comes to marketing yourself as a career actor, it's essential to understand your personal brand. But, once you get a handle on that, the possibilities are endless. You don't have to follow the same formula as everyone else. In fact, you shouldn't. The key is to be creative and strategic in how you promote yourself and your story. Whether it's through social media, press outreach, newsletters, or merchandise, find the marketing tools that work best for you and your own style. It’s so important to stand out from the crowd by being authentic and true to your story, to ensure that every piece of your marketing plan is in line with your personal brand and will grab the industry's attention. Trust me, you don't want to blend in by just posting reviews and updated show info on Facebook. You want to stand out! Here are some tips to keep in mind if you’re feeling not super confident about your self-promotion prowess:

• Reframe your mindset: Instead of thinking of self-promotion as boastful or arrogant, think of it as sharing your work and your talents with the world. Remember, you have something valuable to offer and it's important to let people know about it.

• Start small: If the idea of self-promotion feels overwhelming, start small. Begin by sharing your work with friends and family, or reaching out to a few local media outlets. As you become more comfortable with the process, you can gradually expand your efforts.

• Practice: The more you practice self-promotion, the more comfortable you will become with it. As you get better at it, it will feel less cringy and more natural.

• Seek professional help: If self-promotion is a real struggle for you, consider seeking professional help from a marketing expert. They can provide guidance, advice and help you create a personal brand statement and a solid marketing plan.

• Have a plan in place: Having a clear plan and strategy in place can help make self-promotion feel less overwhelming. Set specific goals and action steps, and hold yourself accountable for following through on them.

• Remember, it's a marathon, not a sprint: Building a successful career as an actor takes time and persistence. Don't get discouraged if you don't see immediate results from your self-promotion efforts. Keep working at it, and eventually, your hard work will pay off. Be kind to yourself, building confidence takes time and practice, and self-promotion is an ongoing process.

When it comes down to it, the real question is, do you believe in yourself and your abilities as a career actor? If the answer is no, that's okay, but you need to be willing to take steps to change that. The process of understanding and defining your personal brand can be incredibly informative and can help you to improve your craft or simply have a better understanding of yourself. But you have to be willing to do the work. Marketing yourself is not just about getting your name out there, it's about believing in what you have to offer. So, take a moment to check-in with yourself, and actively work on building the confidence and the strategy you need to take over the industry. Remember, it's not just about the talent, it's about how you present it.