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<a href="http://www.thearticlesense.com/article/ACTING-LIKE-YOURE-A-BUSINESS/" target="_blank">Get Paid to Submit Article like "ACTING LIKE YOURE A BUSINESS"</a><br /><br />ACTING LIKE YOU'RE A BUSINESS<br /> <br /> by Bob Fraser<br /> <br /> THE ACTOR'S TOOL KIT #2<br /> <br /> OUR REAL BUSINESS<br /> <br /> Too often we actors get so caught up in the sub-atomic<br /> details of our 'inner lives,' our insatiable desire to<br /> perform, the lengths to which we will go - to satisfy<br /> that itch, our financial distress, and our recent lousy<br /> experiences with the business - that we tend to neglect<br /> our REAL interests.<br /> <br /> Take it from an old fish - who has traversed these<br /> waters for 4 decades - in real life, it is an absolute<br /> necessity to view your acting career as a business. A<br /> small business to be sure, but one that has the real<br /> potential to grow into a rather large small business.<br /> <br /> And, as naturally as putting on weight follows Krispy<br /> Kremes and Coca Cola, we must conclude that in order<br /> to have a successful small business, we are probably<br /> going to have to learn some skills that will help us<br /> in ... 'Anyone? Anyone? - Bueller?' ... BUSINESS.<br /> <br /> It is very important to really understand the concept<br /> that your business is very much like any other small<br /> business. The first concern of business is to develop<br /> a large group of satisfied customers.<br /> <br /> Here's where some actors come a cropper. Other actors,<br /> production companies, agents, managers, casting folks ...<br /> they are the suppliers, sales people, distributors, co-<br /> contractors, and marketing people.<br /> <br /> My friends, they are OTHER businesses, with whom you<br /> hope to do some joint ventures.<br /> <br /> These other show biz folk are NOT your customers. The<br /> actors' customers are called "the audience."<br /> <br /> Forget this (or argue with it) at your own risk.<br /> <br /> CUSTOMER BASE & PUBLIC RELATIONS<br /> <br /> The bigger the customer-base we bring to the table,<br /> the more our business is going to flourish. Which<br /> brings up the second rule of sustaining a "going<br /> concern:"<br /> <br /> Keep improving the product. You are the product ...<br /> the rest is self-explanatory.<br /> <br /> Public relations, sales, advertising and referral<br /> business contacts are four fundamental areas that also<br /> must be attended to. These things are what bring you<br /> new business. They are all important to sales. You<br /> will probably have to start out doing these things<br /> on your own.<br /> <br /> Public relations is mainly about being nice. Charming.<br /> Memorable - in a good way.<br /> <br /> SALES<br /> <br /> When it comes to sales, here are a few important<br /> concepts:<br /> <br /> Be dependable. Why do you think you hear "It's<br /> dependable" on so many commercials? Dependable (on<br /> time, off book, in the zone) is a big part of the<br /> sales pitch.<br /> <br /> Deliver the goods. Delivery is another big advertising<br /> pitch for good reason.<br /> <br /> Be easy to work with. This is a good beginning, but the<br /> key phrase you want attached to your efforts is: "A JOY<br /> to work with."<br /> <br /> ADVERTISING<br /> <br /> Since advertising is a scientific enterprise, your<br /> headshot and resume (and your online presence) can<br /> be tested for effectiveness - so you should test.<br /> <br /> For instance, direct mail advertisers (who mail<br /> unsolicited sales pitches) consider 3% a minimum<br /> effective return. It follows that we should consider<br /> our unsolicited direct mail the same way. If you are<br /> not getting called in 3 times for every 100 headshots<br /> (or other mailings) you send - maybe it's time to try<br /> another headshot or mailer.<br /> <br /> Test. Which means you have to keep accurate records.<br /> Like sitting down and counting and listing and math and<br /> stuff. I know - yuck. But if you don't do it, who is<br /> going to do it for you?<br /> <br /> Referral business contacts. This is the sole reason to<br /> act without getting paid. Student films, equity-waiver,<br /> and actor-collective productions are okay, IF you are<br /> meeting and working with people who are better than<br /> you are. If you are the best in the group, it's<br /> probably time to move on.<br /> <br /> The best way to make business contacts is to be<br /> involved in your own life and your own business. Like<br /> love, business contacts will come to you in the<br /> strangest places. You will meet people at the gym -<br /> the museum - the produce section - the Krispy Kreme<br /> store...<br /> <br /> THE RULES<br /> <br /> Try very hard not to be anxious, or grasping, or needy -<br /> or - just like with love - you can 'go too fast.'<br /> <br /> In the final analysis, you will have to handle the<br /> elemental business things of your acting career - or<br /> they won't get done. All you have to do is be nice,<br /> dependable and a joy to work with. You'll also want to<br /> become an advertising number cruncher, a memorable<br /> collaborator and paying attention to your customers -<br /> all while still having an outside life.<br /> <br /> If this is not how you naturally behave, and you can't<br /> (or won't) develop these habits - well, there are other<br /> businesses where being nice and a joy to work with<br /> aren't that important - like ... morgue attendant.<br /> <br /> Just kidding. I know you. I know you'll pay attention<br /> to business.<br /> <br /> "Reprinted from ACTOR'S TOOL KIT, the email course just for<br /> subscribers of Show Biz How-To, the free e-zine for actors.<br /> <br /> Get your own subscription at: www.showbizhowto.com<br /> <br /> © 2007 Bob Fraser Productions All Rights Reserved"<br>