Whether you like it or not, social media is here and it is here to stay. To be relevant in the industry you’ve got to have a presence and stay up with the trends.
Here are some inarguable benefits of Social Media:
- It provides a free form of promotion.
- It is a way to establish and distribute your brand to the rest of the world.
- It provides an easy way to build and interact with your extended network.
Agents are using it to keep track of their talent, casting directors are using it to cast their projects, and producers are using it when finalizing casting. More likes and followers means more butts in seats! From a financial angle, the more friends, followers, and fans you have, the more money you have the potential to generate.
So…. do you want to play the social media game?
In 2009, I had the pleasure of speaking on a panel with Michael Salort at ActorFest. Michael was the Co-Founder of Personal Screen Media, and he developed high-caliber content for the web—his project, “In Men We Trust,” was nominated for a Daytime Emmy award.
He told an amazing story that really illustrated just how relevant it is to have a presence on the web and across social media. He was finalizing casting on one of his projects and was on the fence about how to cast the lead.
There were two different women who were strong contenders for the role, and they were neck and neck with votes from the team. Both were amazing and talented actors, and they couldn’t make a decision on which one would get the offer.
So… they decided to Google both women. The one who was the most ‘Google-able’—the one who had a higher IMDb rating, more fans, and a larger following across all the social media platforms, ended up being the one who was cast in the project. That woman could guarantee butts in seats. That woman had a much higher appeal to producers, because her following had the potential to garner more interest, following, and financing than her equally-talented counterpart.
Can I say again, this was in 2009! Over 10+ years ago! And this type of thing is more and more prevalent today.
I find a lot of actors resist social media because they’re afraid to appear narcissistic and all about themselves. I get it.
Think about it. What posts on FB do you read? What tweets catch your eye? I doubt it’s those that say, “Me, me, me, me, me. Look at me!!”
As you begin your journey into social media or if you want to up your game with authentic engagement, here are two vital points:
1. Be of service
Social media can feel like shameless self-promotion or it can come from a place of being of service—not of ego.
For example, in terms of being of service, as opposed to saying:
My two favorite words! Booked it! I just booked ANOTHER audiobook!
Reframe it this way:
So excited to voice Stephanie Bond’s latest book “Got Your Number.” Can’t wait to narrate the words of this funny and sharp writer. YAY!
See the difference? One is all about you and the other is being of service to the author.
2. Provide value
When you’re thinking about providing value, what can you post that people might want to learn about, read, or engage in?
Take the ownership off yourself and use it as a platform to give back. To give back knowledge you want to share or impart to your community. Vegan baking tips? Latest industry news? Dad jokes?
There’s so much noise on FB, Twitter, Instagram, etc. Why would someone want to follow you?
Why would someone want to read your posts?
They will follow and engage if there is a benefit in it for them. So provide value. Your value.
Look, agencies have departments now specifically for Social Media Influencers. Roles are being written in TV shows and films specifically for said influencers.
Bottom line, many producers, directors, and casting directors are much more likely to take a risk on an unknown actor when you have a huge following on social media.
So are you willing to play the game, by your rules?
