t, and most importantly has your headshot attached to the back of it. Add your contact details including your telephone, mobile number and email address. Do not include your social security details as this info will not be required until you get the job.

 

Finally, don't forget to include a short cover letter to introduce yourself. Keep it brief, all your work history and skills and abilities lists are already on your resume. But although it's brief, try to personalize each cover letter you send. This may be difficult to do, but if you happened to attend the same school as the agent or are friends with one of their other clients, mention this in your letter. Try to be friendly and casual but also professional, too.

 

Follow up those resumes you've sent out by calling the agents or sending out chasing postcards. Once you are up to around forty to fifty follow-ups per week, you really are focusing properly and are more likely to be seen by your next potential talent agent.

 

However, keep in mind that very often, after you've sent your materials, you may never hear back from those agents. Many agents receive so many resumes they just can't respond to everyone. If you aren't getting responses then it may just be that it's the wrong time for certain talent agents. Don't let this stop you. Keep going. Rejection is all part of building your experience.

 

Whatever form of self-promotion you decide to do, remember to keep with it and follow through. Treat your acting efforts as if you were running your own home business because ultimately, you are. You're in a high-stakes business to sell yourself. So go out there and get some customers!

 

 

Aimee Mitchell is an acting coach, short story author, community theater director and playwright. She has spent the better part of her adult life working with young actors and actresses.

 

Copyright © Aimee Mitchell. All rights reserved. Used with permission of the author. Not to be reproduced or distributed.

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