Be Easy…

…to contact that is. The fewer obstacles you put in the way of you and someone who might potentially cast you the better.
So what does this mean? As an example, I’m on IMDb, twitter, facebook, linked in, myspace, YouTube, I have a facebook fan page, and I of course have my own website. I have the “BenWhitehair@WhateverEmailService.com” email addresses for gmail, yahoo, and the like. (As a side note, please do yourself a favor and have an easy-to-remember email address.) You can also call my acting line directly from my website (here or here). Furthermore, I have a link to my website and direct contact information listed at all of those places wherever possible. You’ll also notice that the URLs of all those sites have my name in name (this is called a “vanity URL” for you non-nerds out there).
Being on all those sites accomplishes a few goals:
- It makes it really friggin’ easy to find and contact me
- It keeps anyone else from using those URLs (links)
- It keeps me on top of any google search for “Ben Whitehair”
Now I don’t recommend promoting every single one of those, but it doesn’t hurt to have them. I personally promote my personal website (which links to all those things) the most because I have the most control over that content, and can use it as a driver if people want to connect elsewhere. I also promote my IMDb page, because the more people click on it, the more “popular” I am.
All of this to say that you’d be surprised how quickly someone will give up trying to find you if you’re hard to find. Be smart and safe with what contact information you put on the internet, but make sure if someone wants you on set tomorrow, they won’t have to look very far.
about 7 months ago
I’m a HUGE proponent of this “Make Yourself Available” philosophy, and you’d be surprised how many people disagree with it! In my mind it’s common sense, ESPECIALLY for actors. But people truly underestimate the value of a strong, easy-to-find online presence. Great post, sir!
about 7 months ago
REALLY? Would love to hear the other side of the coin on this one. Seems like common sense to me, especially if you’re smart about what personal information you share.
about 7 months ago
The “other side” have ALL told me: NEVER put more than your name, email and phone number on a business card, and to never give any personal information until you’ve booked something (as in home phone, etc). I don’t know their broad reasoning except that I am familiar with their personal experiences and stalkers/threats/etc. For US, I would say it is a risk to give out personal contact information BUT that isn’t too big given the accessibility and convenience you get in exchange. I’m all over the social media – I dont see how its a bad thing at all UNLESS YOU ARE STUPID AND CHOOSE TO REPRESENT YOURSELF AS A PARTYING, IRRESPONSIBLE, MISCREANT! This is where you must be cautious with your online representations.
about 7 months ago
Hahaha. “partying, irresponsible, miscreant.” Awesome.
Yes, and I’m all for being safe about it, which is why I definitely recommend people get a google voice number and a separate acting email address, so if someone does become weird about it, you have more protections.