I've been seeing a lot of easy mistakes that talent are making, whether they are applying for a position on the books or if they are trying to get my attention. So here are a few Do's & Don'ts so you don't make these same mistakes.
#1 - EMAIL
DO: Hit "reply all" in an email if there's people CC'd in. Everyone who has been CC'd into the email has a reason for being there so please make sure you're not cutting anyone out of this important piece of communication. Remember - communication is key.
DON'T: Hit "reply" only. Someone involved in this email conversation may need important information that only you can provide.
#2 - SUBMISSION REPORTS
DO: Ask for submission reports and ask questions & understand how and why you're being sold. This important document can be a powerful tool for you if you know how to use it! See my post about submission reports here.
DON'T: Get defensive, play victim and be in denial of your type, look or abilities. The more honest you are about who you are, how you can be sold and who your buyers are, the easier it will be for you to navigate this industry.
#3 - SELF EVAULATE
DO: Self evaluate your skills and your teachers and move on if you haven't improved. Every performer needs the ability to evaluate their own abilities. Another skill to have is to evaluate your teachers/ coaches. If you're constantly getting praised in your lessons WITHOUT critique, then you should start questioning why that is because it means you're not growing. If you're not growing, then why are you still in class? In our industry, there is ALWAYS something to learn & you can ALWAYS grow, so make sure that you are always growing!
DON'T: Stay with your teacher just because they praise you all the time. If you are constantly being praised and not being corrected, then you're not growing. Evolve. Push yourself. Remember, if a teacher loses a student, they lose income, so why wouldn't they continue to praise you to keep you in that private $100 session?
#4 - BUSINESS, NOT PERSONAL
DO: Understand that you're a product as well as a creative artist and your reps sell you as such. Make sure you're communicating with your reps to make sure they don't need anything from you to sell you and make sure you're always offering them new material so they can sell you in other ways.
DON'T: Get offended if your rep has to chat with you about the fact that you're not booking or even being called in the room. Their priority is the business side, your priority is the show side - they are letting you know what you need to do in order for them to keep their business afloat. If you can't, then don't get offended if you get dropped. It's just business, not personal.
#5 - WE'RE ON YOUR SIDE
DO: Understand that every rep wants every one of their clients to be submitted and booked - it'd be terrible business if they don't as they won't get paid.
DON'T: Make excuses for not having your materials up to date, for not attending classes, for not keeping your skills current and then expect to be submitted or called in for roles. Without everything up to date or consistent, your reps won't be able to sell you strongly as talent that do have their materials together.
