When a client is reviewing hiring an actor, often what is under consideration are versions of: "Give me 10 reasons why I should I hire them." During a pitch, agents find themselves answering questions like, "What do they bring to the table?" and "Promote them to me. Now." Hesitation means that the actor or model may not be considered. The same thing holds true when an agent or manager considers representing a particular talent. Of course, an actor or model has to have some developed skills and the appropriate look, but that is only a start. There is a long distance between getting the job and someone's look or skill set.
Do you know what makes you marketable? I usually ask a version of this question while interviewing a talent. Take 15 minutes, remove yourself from outside distractions, silence your iPhone (not even vibrate), turn off the TV, and feed the dog so he'll sleep. Now that you can focus, have an inner dialogue with yourself and complete the following:
Industry Skills That Will Interest A Client:
1. _______________________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________________
3. _______________________________________________________
4. _______________________________________________________
5. _______________________________________________________
6. _______________________________________________________
7. _______________________________________________________
8. _______________________________________________________
Life Skills That Would Interest A Client:
1. _______________________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________________
3. _______________________________________________________
4. _______________________________________________________
5. _______________________________________________________
6. _______________________________________________________
7. _______________________________________________________
8. _______________________________________________________
Now you can see what you have to offer our world, even if you need to take a nap from the effort it took to find your selling points! Is it enough to get a big, paying job? Can it sustain you and lead to consistent paying work? Is being viewed by "them" - not by yourself or your friends - as a professional actor, worth taking your business seriously?
This list will grow and change with you as a you develop, so revisit it at least once a year to add or reword things as appropriate. Knowing what you have to sell or offer a client in need is the first step to being booked! Now make those things the focal point of a client's experience the next time you're in the casting room!
Sometimes having ideas or suggestions is helpful. Share them here and someone else might remind you of something you could add to your list, too! What life skills did you come up with?
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