Here's a request from my friend Danielle Montezinos:
"Need some new marketing ideas!"
Girl, get ready to take notes. ;)
Okay, actors! You have your list! You have your coffee! You are energized! Now are you ready to send out those mailings?! Of course you are! And what will you send?!
Oh, no. Well, that's disappointing. My friends, hold onto those precious 8x10 headshots--those are so much better sent on special occasions, or given in-person!
Instead, be a creative artist--make OTHER compelling, entertaining and informing things to send in the mail. I promise that it won't just be effective, it'll also be fun!
Small headshot/resumes. My business coach (and probably the same stellar marketing maven for many of you, Dallas Travers) is big on a 5x7 headshot and resume. Why? It offers the same content as an 8x10, but is SO much more likely to be opened! Just order some 5x7 shots from a photo site, and make a small 'sizzle' version of your resume to staple on. Voila! Put it in some fun small envelopes and off they go!
Headshot or logo postcards. If you're sending off a quick message--'just got representation!' 'was put on hold for a commercial!' 'Moving to the other coast!'--you can totally use one of these suckers. Get over to Vistaprint and just upload a headshot, order some postcards, and you're golden! And when you get REALLY creative? Get yourself some fun logo postcards. Need help making a logo? I do that!
Show cards/Project cards. Are you really proud of something? Want to advertise your play/episodic/commercial/film? Well, goshdarnit, send out some swanky postcards! (Need help? Again, I do that!) You can use a logo, a screenshot from the project, a behind-the-scenes picture...whatever! If it's an established episodic and you're a co-star or guest star, get creative--involve yourself in the show!
One-Sheets. One-Sheets are like full-page ads that are a fun spin on getting to know you! Your first one can be a doozy, but when you finally get it going, it's really inspiring and affirming to make them, print them and send them off. :) Also a fantastic creative outlet! The first oh-mazing one I ever saw was Helenna Santos', and since then, there are PLENTY to browse for inspiration on Dallas' FB page. I also wrote a great post for Kate O'Phalen about making your own, but if you want to hire help--I do that, too. ;) Here's one that I made for the wonderful Suzanne Smart:
Castability Sheets. These are such simple, effective tools! Just gather a few breakdowns that were just PERFECT for you IF ONLY YOU'D BEEN CALLED IN! Shows people your flavor(s) lickety-split. :) Need help? Guess who does these?
Thank You Cards. Send out one of these suckers when you have overwhelming gratitude in your heart! But the rule of thumb is--keep it strictly THANKS! You can either create some through Vistaprint, buy some blank ones, or have me create custom ones for you.
Anything that feels right! Don't feel LIMITED by this list--you don't always have to sell yourself through the mail! What about congratulatory cards on a promotion, on having a project win a Tony or Oscar, on movin to a new office? Dallas Travers calls this sending Whuffie, and it's a very important part of actually building relationships with people. So keep some blank notecards around for this purpose!
Does this help, lady? If not, let me know so I can get in there and help you! Other readers, what do you think? What did you like best; what feels like it needs more clarification? Give me your feedback here in comments, via Twitter, or FB!
Ahoy, Mateys!
Jen