| The headshot (an 8 x 10 photograph of an actor), | | | | Thank-You Notes |
| cover letter (a brief letter introducing an actor) and | | | | A thank-you note is a note of thanks that an actor |
| résumé (a listing of training and | | | | sends to a casting director, perhaps thanking him for |
| experience in the performing arts) are the traditional | | | | the opportunity to audition. Actors usually send |
| tools that actors use to market themselves. Actors | | | | thank-you notes in the form of a postcard. The |
| send them to casting directors, talent agents and other | | | | postcard contains the actor's headshot and contact |
| industry professionals in an effort to obtain work and | | | | information (or his agent's contact information). Thank |
| representation. | | | | you notes are a great way for an actor to establish a |
| But these tools are not the only tools at an actor's | | | | relationship with a casting director, increasing the |
| disposal. Sophisticated actors know that there are | | | | actor's chances of getting more auditions and future |
| many other tools an actor can use to get his face, | | | | consideration for acting roles. |
| name and talents in front of decision-makers. | | | | Greeting Cards |
| Sophisticated actors use an array of postcards, | | | | Greeting cards are tools that sophisticated actors use |
| business cards, thank-you notes, greeting cards, and | | | | to maintain relationships with casting directors and |
| performance invitations to sell themselves to directors, | | | | other decision-makers. When important holidays come |
| producers and agents. | | | | around, such as Christmas or Thanksgiving, an actor |
| Actor Postcards | | | | can send a greeting card. The greeting card might |
| Postcards, small and inexpensive pieces of mailing, are | | | | contain a "happy holiday" message along with a more |
| a great way for actors to keep in touch with casting | | | | personal message, such as "Thanks for giving me the |
| directors. Postcards can also be sent as thank-you | | | | chance to audition last month". It's a great way to use |
| notes. Actors can put their headshots and contact | | | | the holidays as an excuse to contact decision-makers |
| information on these postcards. Later, if a casting | | | | without being a pest about it. |
| director is auditioning actors for an upcoming movie, | | | | Performance Invitations |
| the postcard may help the actor gain consideration for | | | | When an actor is performing in a play or film, it may be |
| an audition. | | | | a good idea to let directors and producers know about |
| Business Cards | | | | it. This way, the actor essentially gets a "free" audition, |
| Actors can use their headshots to produce business | | | | using that performance as a way to get directors and |
| cards. An actor's business card is similar to a traditional | | | | producers interested in the actor. Therefore, the actor |
| business card, except that an actor's business card will | | | | might send an invitation to decision-makers, identifying |
| contain the actor's headshot and contact information | | | | when and where a performance might take place. |
| (or the contact information of his or her agency). | | | | To be sure, traditional forms of marketing are always |
| Actors can use their business cards to market | | | | the most effective way for an actor to get noticed. |
| themselves. Instead of carrying around a bunch of | | | | But sophisticated actors know that you must use |
| 8x10 headshots, actors can carry their business cards | | | | every available resource-greeting cards, thank-you |
| in their wallets and pocketbooks. They can then pass | | | | notes, business cards, postcards, invitations-and other |
| out these business cards to network with industry | | | | tools to give yourself that extra edge. |
| professionals or other actors. | | | | More information can be found here. |