Answers from The Working Actor

4 Marketing: Branding

In many ways, the business of being an actor is similar to working in sales. Salespeople must know their product, brand accordingly, learn the market, connect with potential buyers, create visibility, and track trends. What can be hard to come to terms with, however, is that for actors, the product is themselves. All sales folk face rejection, but it can be especially tough when the commodity is you.

Before an actor makes decisions about headshots, a website, or any other marketing materials, she must first develop a clear and unvarnished understanding of her brand, or, as it’s commonly referred to in the profession, “type.” When we talk about type, we mean an actor’s perceived identity—not necessarily who he really is—and ...