The days are gone when a photo and résumé were the only marketing tools an actor needed. Today, your website is home base for all of your marketing materials: your headshot, résumé, reel, media, and social media accounts. A professional looking actor website tells the world you’re serious about your career!
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Here are the 10 things your actor website needs to have:
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1. Your professional name in a very prominent place.
It might seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how many times it’s super hard to find!
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2. Union affiliations.
If you’re in a union (or if you’re union-eligible) give your union affiliations prime real estate near your name.
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3. Photos of you.
Choose a photo to headline your site and use it on all of your social media platforms. Consistency across platforms helps your brand recognition. You can include a few other headshots on the site, but just a few. You don’t need to put your entire proof sheet on your website. Production stills are OK, too. All of the shots you choose should represent what you’re most castable as right now.
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4. A killer “about me” page.
This is where you can really set yourself apart from other actors and tell us your story! Remember your “about me” page is more about them than it is you. When they visit your site they’re wondering if they’ll like you and your work. Your goal is to make a connection with them and help them believe in what you’re doing. Write in first person. It’s personal and makes them feel like you’re talking to them.
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5. A third-person bio.
In addition to your first-person page, it helps to have a third-person bio for press releases, interviews, etc. This is a more traditional bio in PDF format that can be easily downloaded.
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6. Your properly formatted, updated résumé.
Make sure there’s a PDF version for easy downloading.
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7. Media.
Embed your reel or performance clips on your site so people can see you in action. Don’t put all of your performance clips on your site. Choose wisely. Pick the strongest performances that represent what you’re castable as right now.
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8. Contact info.
If you have an agent or manager include their contact information. Make sure people have a way to contact you, too! A simple contact form is a good way to do it. Also remember,anyone can visit your website, so don’t put a home address or personal phone number on your site.
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9. Career updates (blog).
A blog is a great way to update fans about projects you’re working on. Include behind the scene photos, production stills, or even video clips! You can also talk about industry events, classes you attend, and books you’re reading.
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10. Social media links.
Include links to all of your social media accounts. Even better, add subscribe, like, and follow buttons. These help you build relationships with people who visit your site.
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BONUS TIP!
Add a mailing list to capture the email addresses of your fans and industry contacts so you can let them know when you have important career updates to announce! There are lots of choices for setting up a mailing list. MailChimp has a free option for up to 2,000 addresses.
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Make sure your website has these 10 things & send me a link in the comments below! I’d love to see it!
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Tweet This.
Until soon,
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13 replies to "10 Things Every Actor Website Must Have"
Just messaged you on your website with some tips…but overall it looks fantastic!
Hi Heidi,
Greatly appreciate your time , expertise and advice. Would love to have your feedback on my site.
https://cboydmotley.wixsite.com/cboydmotley
Having read this post, I know that I’m in need of an official domain name, Press Bio and Updates section but feel like something else may be missing.
Thanks for your time.
You’re welcome Sidney!
Thanks for the advice!
You’re very welcome Livia!
please have look at my site let me know what u think…
http://dominiquekang.net/
thank you!!!
I’ve got everything but the bio in third person! I’ll work on that. I often wondered about it! Thx for clearing that up!
Wonderful John! Can’t wait to watch your accounts grow!
Love your social media tips. I’m getting my own social media accounts in order, and I have already jumped on your suggestions.
Love your tips and would love to hear your opinion on my website! It’s less than a month old and I definitely need to tweak a few things based on your advice!
Hi Danielle! Great job! You could say ‘Press Bio’ or ‘Bio for Press.’ 🙂 -Heidi
Checking things off! I have the bonus mailing list, which was super easy to set up on square space. I don’t have a blog, but I do have a “News” section for career updates.
What do you recommend we call the third-person bio (on the download button)? Just “download third-person bio here” or “bio for press release”?
Thanks for the advice!
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