Two Actors this week asked me the same question:
“I have a Facebook page. Does that count as an actor website?” So I figured some of you might be wondering the same thing.
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As an actor, having social media accounts, including a Facebook, is great! But Facebook is not a website for many reasons:
*On FB you have no control over what people post, on a website you have total control.
*Posts are fleeting. Approximately 10-15% of posts in a news feed are even seen and those just scroll down and disappear. On your own website you decide where to prominently place a resume, headshots, news about your career, your reel, etc.
*Social media sites are someone else’s real estate. Facebook changes their rules on posts and what people see on your wall all the time. Facebook, tumblr, etc. could also just disappear. It’s not likely anytime soon but it could happen and if it does you’ll have no site and no presence.
*A website is a calling card that you can say “check me out at www.JoetheAwesomeActor.com” and then on www.JoetheAwesomeActor.com you have links to your Facebook, YouTube videos or twitter. Telling an agent or casting director to look you up on Facebook is not really professional. Sending them to your site is.
If you are using social media for acting follow these 3 rules:
1. Make sure your social media sites are set up for you as an actor. Your posts don’t have to all be about acting but keep it professional. Don’t talk religion, politics or use profanity on your account. If you wouldn’t say it in the audition room then don’t say it online. You never know who may be reading it.
2. Make sure you have your headshot as your profile photo. The header should be optimized for your acting career not just for social use. If you need help making a header photo for your different social media accounts check out this article HERE that shows you how. Use the same headshot across all social media channels!
3. Link your social media sites to your website! If you don’t have a website, make one! There are lots of free sites where you can build a starter website for free or for very little money. As your career grows you can always upgrade your website.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
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All my best,
Philip
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Philip Hernandez is a respected acting teacher and singing coach in NYC. He is also the only actor in Broadway history to play both Jean Valjean and Inspector Javert in Les Miserables. He created principal roles in Broadway’s Kiss of the Spiderwoman and Paul Simon’s The Capeman. You may also know him from his many television appearances: The Blacklist, Gotham, Blue Bloods, The Path, Bull, Nurse Jackie, Elementary, Person of Interest, Law and Order, Hostages and Damages to name a few. For information about acting lessons CLICK HERE or singing lessons CLICK HERE.
Follow him on twitter @philip24601, on Instagram @philip24601 and on Facebook at @philip24601.
Glad you liked it, Darryl! The cool thing about the website stuff is that it’s not rocket science. It’s easily learned, inexpensive, and a great tool for actors.
cool stuff and simple explanation Philip is great in his simplicity!