When you create your actor website, who are you creating it for? Are you creating it for casting directors? fans? someone else?

If your website is going to be effective, it needs to speak to your target audience, giving them the information they’ve gone there seeking. So, I ask you, “Do you know who your website is being created for?”

Once you know who you’re talking to, you can design a website that speaks to him or her. (Note: Always think in the singular, because only one person will be experiencing your website at a time in the same place. His or her experience will be singular … not part of a group.)

If you are targeting casting directors, keep in mind that these are very busy people. Your website should make their job easier … not more time consuming. Pages that your website should include to do this are:

• A resume page that includes information about your skill sets. If you know how to ride a horse, say so.
• An image gallery that includes head shots, as well as any applicable action shots. This helps them decide if you “look the part.”
• Contact information for your agent and/or manager. That way they know who to send the breakdowns to, request further information or set up a time for your audition.

If your website targets fans, these items are of lesser interest. Here are some suggestions for fan-focused websites:

• Fans want to know what you’re up to. So include a calendar of events you’ll be attending.
• Fans want to feel connected to you. So include social networking sites, a commenting feature, and clips. If you can set up live chats, so much the better.
• Fans want to buy your stuff. So, if you’ve got branded T-shirts, baseball caps and the like, include a shop for them to buy them. Autographed photographs are popular, too, but also include un-autographed photos if your fans will have the opportunity to get it autographed in person at one of your events.

Another thing to think about is what mood do you want to set for your website. If you’ve decided to niche yourself with a certain type of role, then you may want your website to reflect that with its color palette and supplemental images. For example, Bruce Campbell is best known for his campy genre work and his website reflects that. Whereas Kathleen Turner and her website has a more classic image.

Jumping into the creation of your website without knowing your target audience, is like grabbing a bow and arrow and shooting without taking aim. If you hit the target, it was pure luck… and you don’t want to leave the success of your website to luck, do you?

by Carma Spence

Why do you want to have an actor website? This is the first thing you really need to think about before you do anything else … before you buy your domain name, secure web hosting or hire a web designer.

When it comes right down to it, there really are only two primary reasons to have an actor website:

1. To showcase your portfolio.
2. To build a fan base.

Which will be the prime purpose of your website? Will it attempt to accomplish both? Will there be other goals, as well?

Be clear on your purpose … just as you should be clear on your acting goals … before you pay one dime for your website.

So what kind of things can your website do for you and your career? These are things that you might want to keep in mind as your create your vision or goal statement for your website.

Showcase Your Talent
This is really what a good online portfolio does. It uses audio, video and images to illustrate what you do best as an entertainer.

Build a List of Fans
Do you want to make a connection with your fans? Do you want to be able to “keep in touch” with them, updating them with new adventures along your career path? Then there are certain things your actor website will need to have in place.

You can be lackadaisical or robust in your fan base nurturing, using anything from RSS feeds to social media to email marketing tools to interact with your fans.

Establish Your Brand
Every actor has a “brand” … a distinctive style they are known for. If you manage this brand well, you can transcend typecasting. When you think of Robert De Niro, what do you think of? He has a very clear “brand” and is still thought of as an “actor’s actor.”

A brand, whether it is for a business or an individual is an emotional experience. So, your website needs to communicate that emotional experience through images, color combination and word selection. So, what is the emotional experience of your brand? What do you want your brand to say about you?

The purpose of your website determines how you go about designing the look, feel, copy and navigation. So be very clear on your goal before you start working on its design.

Networking

Part of the process of finding success in the entertainment industry is being good at networking. The process of networking is simply the art of winning friends and influencing people.

Networking Rules

If I may borrow a rule from a Greater One than myself, you should do unto others as you would have others do unto you.  Never be a needy attention hound who tries to scam people out of anything.  After all:

• Would you want someone hounding you relentlessly when you are simply trying to enjoy an event… or, surf the web at home?
• Would you want someone with a fake smile kissing up to you?
• Would you want someone to insult your intelligence?
• Would you want a barrage of spam in your e-mail box?

Of course not.

Therefore, the rule is to never misuse networking opportunities. Focus on building relationships, not on trying to get something out of people.

One mistake often made is coming across in the wrong way.  If you are overly ingratiating, creepy or stalker-ish, you will defeat yourself.  Hollywood is all about relationships… and being friends with the right person can make your career.  Likewise, coming across like a (hee haw) with the right person can destroy any hopes of having a career.

The key is to be a consummate professional at all times.

Networking In-Person

If you live in Los Angeles or New York City, you may wish to avail yourself of opportunities to network with fellow members of the industry.  Granted, you may not find yourself bellying up to a bar besides Angelina Jolie — but there are ways to make yourself visible to working actors and decision makers.  There are those who have graduated to moving in the inner circles of A-listers.  The key is to remember the rules (above) — and to be willing to do unto others without trying to finagle them into doing unto you.  People will value the person who can socialize without giving them the “heebie jeebies.”

On the social side, check out events where you may meet people that may help you in your career pursuits.  On the business side, don’t be afraid to volunteer for “grunt work” roles at events that may be sponsored by some star’s pet charity.  That star may not ask you for your headshot (and, please, don’t bring it) but people in the industry will see you as a go-to person whom they will want to know more about.

Networking On-Line

There are a number of on-line web sites that you may wish to investigate.

• http://www.facebook.comA number of entertainment industry professionals have Facebook pages and, unlike MySpace, the phony profile problem is not quite as widespread.  On this site, an actor may connect with established personalities and make friendships.
• http://www.filmstreamer.netFilmStreamer is a referral service that links entertainment industry professionals.  If you are seeking to get your résumé in front of people that are hiring, this is one great way to do so.
• http://www.linkedin.comLinkedIn is not specific to the entertainment industry, but is growing in favor with Hollywood insiders.  There are also a number of investors who seek entertainment properties via this site.
• http://www.myspace.comMany say that MySpace has become the wild west with proliferation of phony celebrity profiles and tons of bad press.  However, there are a number of networking groups within MySpace that include:
  1. Actors Actresses Directors Filmmakers Talent Network Film & TV
  2. Actors of Integrity United
  3. Christian Cinema Industry Network
  4. Dwacon® Entertainment
  5. Agent Agitateur
• http://www.nextcat.comNextCat takes the best ideas from Facebook and MySpace and has put it into a format specific to members of the entertainment industry.  This site has great resources for actors and models.
• http://www.tribehollywood.comTribe Hollywood started as a resource for NYU students that has become an international resource for the entertainment industry.  Unlike many other networking sites, all potential members are vetted before given full membership privileges.

In Conclusion

Successful networking is easy… but it requires time and effort.  Be sagacious in connecting to others and never come across as a person who abuses relationships.  When creating profiles, it is imperative that you keep your professional information separate from personal.  You don’t want a casting agent or producer going to a site where you are posing nude with your friends (unless you are seeking a career in porn)… or sprawled across a lawn with a bottle of Captain Jack in your hand (unless… well, anyway).

Happy networking!

You say you want to be a star? Then look like one. People’s first impression of you is always the memorable. No, I’m not saying to go spend all your money on fancy clothes or anything like that. Just try your best to keep up with your hygiene, dress to impress and look like you’re currently on a hot TV series. You wanna be a star, right? So why not look like a movie star now? Do your best to look the part.

Interestingly enough, famous people don’t always wear fancy stuff all the time. A nice pair of jeans and a clean retro T-shirt may be all you need. Girls, make sure you find a good purse.  Make sure it’s big and fashionable, nothin’ cheap looking.  Also, make sure you guys don’t blow it with your shoes (keep ‘em fresh) and don’t forget the sunshades! Okay, so if you’re in Buffalo, New York or Seattle, Washington right now, you have our permission to hold off on the sunshades.  You can find a lot of name brand stuff for less on ShopStyle.com