Dallas Travers, The Actor's Advocate

How to Use Facebook to Build Your Acting Business Without Offending Anyone

2011-11-04T15:16:00.000-07:00

Recently, a casting director expressed her frustration on her Facebook wall about actors approaching her through Facebook to request auditions. This post sparked a lively dialogue among some actors and casting directors who all agreed that using Facebook as a marketing tool was rude, amateur, or even desperate.

I have to disagree. Approaching casting directors, producers, agents, filmmakers, directors, and artistic directors is not rude. It’s not amateur. And it’s not desperate. It’s business.

Facebook exists so that people can connect with each other. That’s the whole point. Virtually every business and businessperson today has a Facebook page and uses Facebook for promotional purposes. So, there is nothing wrong – at all- with you doing the same as an actor. Read More Here...

The First Step to Winning An Oscar

2011-03-02T08:18:00.000-08:00

Ah, yes. It’s Awards Season once again. Here in LA, Oscar buzz is all around us. The nominees are being interviewed, studios are campaigning, and many actors are asking themselves, “I wonder if I’ll ever snag the ultimate prize?”

The road to Oscar is a long one and we all know that there is no one proven formula for acting success. A lot of stars must align before Oscar makes an appearance in your life. But there is one thing I know for sure. It’s the very first step to winning an Oscar and it’s not what you think.

Rethink Your Resolutions

2011-01-05T12:10:00.000-08:00

Backstage Magazine featured my editorial on how to turn your new years resolutions on their heads. I’ve included it below. Enjoy!

Let’s face it: No one really keeps their New Year’s resolutions. I know I haven’t. Admitting so allowed me to finally start accomplishing my goals. You can do it too. Here’s how.

First, narrow your goals down to fewer than three. Trust me, multitasking is a cunning form of resistance. So, if you’ve got more than three goals happening, you’re spending too much time managing your goals and not enough time accomplishing them. Ironically, you’ll achieve more in the long term if you focus on fewer goals in the short term.

Make your goals measurable. Set a timeline and define exactly what the endgame looks like. For example, shift your goal from “I want to support myself as an actor” to “I want to earn $40,000 or more acting in studio films before Dec. 31.” Write your three goals down and keep them where you can see them. This was one major mistake I made with resolutions in the past. I wrote a long list of goals and tucked the list away in a special drawer somewhere—out of sight, out of mind—and my resolutions were quickly forgotten.

READ MORE

Five Steps to Great Headshots

2010-12-15T14:48:00.000-08:00

Every actor needs a headshot. An actor without a headshot is like a Starbucks with no coffee, but picking a photographer is the least of your concerns. In this day and age of digital cameras, there are so many great photographers out there. If you don’t do your prep work, and you stay present during the photo shoot, your headshots are not going to work for you. Here are a few steps on how to get fantastic headshots.

Step 1: Draw Character Parallels
Identify actors and performances that really resonate with you. Pick men, women, of any age, any ethnicity; just identify the performance. Then select an adjective to describe each performance.

Step 2: Nutshell Your List
Select two to three adjectives that represent the list as a whole. The interesting thing you will discover about your list is that even though this is a list of performances that resonate with you, this is also a list that describes you as an actor and the essence and quality you bring to every performance. It is a tricky way to get to the core of your essence without getting stuck in your head trying to figure out how others see you.

Step 3: Write Character Descriptions.

READ MORE

Get Your Marketing on the Move

2010-12-10T12:45:00.000-08:00

If the industry seems slow, don’t blame the economy, the holidays, or your representation. Instead, take a look at your marketing.

There’s an old saying in the business that “work begets work”. This is true, but what precedes the work? Marketing. In fact, it’s probably more accurate to say that marketing begets work, which provides a chance for more marketing, which in turn, begets even more work.

Marketing occurs at every stage of an actor’s career. It might look different, but it’s all marketing. Whether you’re an A-list celebrity gracing magazine covers and late-night talk show sets, or you’re a newbie mailing postcards to casting directors, marketing is the paramount ingredient for acting success.

Every actor must focus at least 50% of her time, energy and money on marketing if she wants a sustainable career.

Okay, I understand that, for many actors, the idea of marketing inspires visions of used car salesman and slick, business card collecting schmoozers. Contrary to what most experts teach, marketing is not selling. You are not a product and you are certainly not selling yourself. As an actor, you are a storyteller. So, marketing is truly nothing more than telling a story: yours. Marketing is simply sharing who you are and allowing people to decide what to do with that information.

READ MORE

Quick Tips to Pick An Acting Coach

2010-12-02T08:00:00.000-08:00

Are you looking for an acting coach to help you improve your craft? Since there are so many of them out there, I would like to give you a couple of tips on how to find the right one.

The first thing you want to look for is how often you will have the opportunity to go up in class. Some teachers hold classes so large that the students rarely get a chance to perform. Next, how many students working with this coach are also booking jobs? You want to make sure that you are in an acting class surrounded by people who are working in the field of acting rather than just training in the craft. Last, but most important, picking a teacher is all about picking someone who really resonates with you. If they are well-respected in the industry, it’s an added bonus. This teacher needs to be someone that you trust, someone that you connect with and someone whose method compliments your learning style.

There is another more important element here as well...

READ MORE

Be Your Own Talent Agent

2010-11-24T14:00:00.000-08:00

A good agent is an important resource for any actor looking to book work, but it’s not the only way to get auditions and create opportunities. I hear so many complaints from actors about how their agent isn’t working enough for them, and they are drained from spending so much energy concerning themselves with what their agent is or isn’t doing.

Here is what I think: your job is to be the best agent you’ve ever had. Brainstorm a breakdown for the role of your dream agent and commit it to paper.

READ MORE

How To Find A Good Talent Agent

2010-11-17T14:00:00.000-08:00

Every actor can agree that having an agent cam mean the difference between working and not working, but not all agents are created equal. So let me set you up with how to find the right agent for you. It is really all about research, so your first job is to identify the credit you would like to add to your resume next.

For example, let's say you want to add a nice co-star credit on a one-hour television drama. With that credit in mind, the next step is to visit my favorite industry resource, IMDb Pro. This is the Pro version of the Internet Movie Database, and if you don't have a Pro account yet, you really need to invest in one. In my opinion, it's one of the resources an actor cannot live without.

READ MORE

Three Quick Tips to Stay In the Game

2010-11-15T14:51:00.000-08:00

I know, I know… the year is coming to an end. The holidays are practically upon us. The business is slowly winding to a quiet stop while we all indulge in turkey, gift-giving, and cold weather. Don’t fall victim to the November Acting Blues. Instead, amp up your efforts to end the year with a bang. Here are three quick tips to help you do just that.

Always Be Marketing
Regardless of how slow the industry may seem, casting directors still exist, agents still go to work, and producers continue to plan their future projects. Your audience is out there and they need to hear from you. You must be business savvy and consistently self-promote to your target audience. An actor’s audience consists of the agents who might represent you, the casting directors who may audition you, and the producers who will ultimately hire you. Consistent marketing is essential, during slower cycles in the business and even in a down economy.

You can successfully self-promote without breaking the bank. For example, create a blog about your career. Blogging is absolutely free and simple to do. Visit a website such as Blogger or Wordpress to create your very own blog. After your blog is created, update it daily with news, anecdotes, and career successes. Be sure to offer valuable content that readers want to hear. Then, invite your friends, colleagues, and other industry folk to follow your blog. By creating a blog, you’re not only in consistent communication with the industry, but you are also establishing your own fan base. As your blog grows, so will your popularity. Imagine how impressed a potential agent might feel when she Googles your name and uncovers your insightful blog with hundreds of readers. Blogging daily also allows you to stay connected to your career and offer insight to others.

If you aren’t using Facebook as a marketing tool, start now. Facebook, along with Twitter, are free and easy ways to keep the communication lines open with the people you may know. Try connecting with the casting directors, agents, and producers you also want to meet. You just might be surprised at how accessible many of them are. Twitter and Facebook can be incredible networking tools if you use them correctly. These social sites are brilliant free avenues to move your career forward and stay in the mind of your audience. You can easily find like-minded people who share your interests by searching for key words at http://search.twitter.com. Remember though, that these are business tools, so keep it professional and relevant to your career.

You can save a lot of money by replacing your traditional postcard or headshot mailing with a monthly email instead. An effective and inexpensive way to target your audience is through email newsletters, or e-zines. Several websites such as Mail Chimp, Constant Contact or My Emma allow you to create attractive and professional email campaigns and manage your contacts easily. As you collect email addresses for the people you meet, you can include them in your monthly e-zine updates and stay in the forefront of your readers’ minds.

READ MORE

Why You Don’t Need a Website Afterall

2010-08-27T10:42:00.000-07:00

Between you and me, your website is not the first place industry folks visit to find you online. They’re checking out IMDBPro, Studio System, and even Facebook.

I have a client named Deborah who has been a working actor for almost two decades. She’s worked with the best of them, yet when you Google her name, her personal website does not appear in the first page of search results.

Why? Because Google arranges their list according to which sites have the highest traffic rather than which URLs are a direct march. A quick Google search for Deborah’s name results in these top five hits: Wikipedia, IMDB, Fandango, TV.com, and Facebook.

The good news here is that you do not need to invest a ton of time and money in creating, hosting, and updating your personal website. Instead, you can simply rely on high-traffic mega sites people visit often.

FIND OUT HOW

The Waiting Game

2010-08-12T13:24:00.000-07:00

Every actor plays the waiting game. Regardless of if you’re waiting to hear about a student film auditions, an agent offer, or whether or not your pilot was picked up, waiting is part of your job. I know, I know, you’ve been told this a million times, but it’s true. You must be patient while you pursue your dream. Patience is indeed a virtue and it’s one that ironically becomes more challenging to master the closer you get to the finish line.

Develop the Habit
It has been said that it takes 21 days to form a habit. In order to increase your chances of success and avoid show business burnout, you must commit to habits rather than attach to any specific result. You must practice patience.

You cannot control when your agent will call, when you’ll get your big break, or how often those residual checks come in, but you can control your own daily activity. Commit to developing the habits of a successful and balanced lifestyle. This goes back to The Rule of Seven. No one thing you do will make or break you, but you can create success by consistently doing one thing each day.

Achieve Tomorrow’s Goals Today

2010-08-03T15:33:00.000-07:00

Does this cycle sound familiar: your week is booked solid with a lot of tasks, events and activities, but none of them seem to yield the results you’re looking for. Then if a great audition or meeting comes along, it’s a nightmare to reschedule the other commitments. This struggle can leave you frazzled before you even start preparing for the actual audition or meeting. You should be able to enjoy those great opportunities. So how do you restructure your time so you can concentrate on what you really want?

Learn to say no more often. How can you make room for what you really want if your days are jam-packed with other commitments? Let go of the idea that the more you do means the more results you’ll see. Having an agent or a demo reel or casting workshop are not an actions; it’s how you utilize these resources that produces results. You want to concentrate on working smarter, not longer.

Seven Top Tips for Becoming Fearless

2010-07-29T13:41:00.000-07:00

Catharine Hildago offers up some great tools to tackle your fears. Here, here… Catharine.

In today’s world, people are comfortable being uncomfortable and stress is the new word for it. Feeling nervous is alright in context because that is linked to our expectations and hopes but even here a constant occurrence is evidence that trouble has come home to roost in your psyche.

It is possible to vanquish your fear. Here’s what Eckhart Tolle and Rita Hurni have taught me on becoming fearless:

1. ASK YOURSELF “HOW AM I FEELING RIGHT NOW”
The problem is that most of you never check in with your feelings and therefore, it is difficult to describe how you actually feel at any given time. That is normal, unfortunately. Keep at it until you can honestly say “I feel sad, glad, vexed, enraged, hurt, or lonely and so on”. The answer will take you exactly where you need to go – to the monster problem hiding in your mental closet. Ignoring it will not make it go away. Focus on what you feel, be with it and it will gradually soften and fade away.

A Quick Tip From The Tao

2010-07-19T11:51:00.000-07:00

Here’s another quick tip from my book The Tao of Show Business about the power of the press release and the importance of following up.

Keep the Ball Rolling!
Joseph, a client of mine, executed a brilliant press release that generated some pretty decent buzz. But even better than the original press release were his diligent follow-up efforts. Joseph set up his Google Alert and collected media as it began popping up online. He then forwarded these articles to his Hit List and Fan Club expressing excitement and curiosity about how to take advantage of his media momentum.

READ MORE

From Obstacle to Opportunity

2010-07-13T13:25:00.000-07:00

It’s so easy to get discouraged when setbacks occur, but we can spend so much time focusing on the obstacle in our way and how to get around it that we don’t even notice the other opportunities around. The trick is to stay proactive and not waste time solving problems when you should be pursuing your passion. Here are a few tips to shift your focus from obstacle to opportunity.

Multiply the obstacle by zero. 
Any number multiplied by zero is zero, and the same applies to problems. If you take your energy away from an obstacle, it ceases to be a problem.
Ask the opposite question. 
Now that you’re not giving the obstacles any energy, refocus instead on the opportunities that are still available to you. One helpful trick is to ask the opposite question. For example, your goal may be to star in a big-budget movie, but you don’t have an agent to help you land an audition. Ask yourself, “What would I do if I didn’t need an agent to book a job?” and you’re on your way to brainstorming an action plan.

To Submit or Not to Submit… That is the Question

2010-07-08T11:58:00.000-07:00

Sure, nothing beats working with a fantastic agent who pitches you for fabulous roles. But until you’re there, an actor must creatively represent herself in pursuit of the work. With the majority of casting notices requiring ‘electronic submissions’ you’ve got to think on your feet in order to be considered. You can leap over the “electronic submission” hurdle in three ways.

SOCIAL MEDIA
1. Utilize Facebook or Twitter to find a producer or CD on the project.

2. Film an auditon. Shoot the audition sides (if you can find them on Showfax). If you don’t have access to the actual sides, you can also select a scene that showcases elements of the character described in the breakdown.

3. Direct Message the producer or CD with a quick note and link to your audition footage. Don’t send a friend request and don’t make a public tweet. Instead, just direct message. The message might read, “I know this may be unconventional, but I’d love to be considered for the role of ___________ . Click the link below to see me in action, and thanks for the consideration.”

In my experience, this process results in an audition, demo reel request, or meeting about 30% of the time. I have also had a few students receive responses like, “Please don’t submit to me on Facebook.” But not very often. I believe that if you don’t want to be found of FB, don’t have a FB account. But that’s just me...

Things I Learned… From Career Strategist Kristine Oller

2010-07-02T11:44:00.000-07:00

Kristine Oller, career strategist and author, was kind enough to share some fantastic information with the Thriving Artist Circle on how to be a Ninja Networker. She believes that the number one difference between those who build and sustain successful careers and those who don’t is communication. Kristine offered lots of great networking tips, and here are a few you can start applying to your career now.

Put Yourself In Their Shoes
Before you approach a new industry contact for a meeting or assistance, take a moment to see things from their perspective and think about what their objections may be to meeting with you. They may be worried about protecting their time or the effort to pull together a lot of information for you. This action will help you communicate to your contact in a way that relieves their fears and lowers their defenses.
Be Specific
I talk about this a lot, but when you’re asking for a meeting or for information, you need to be as specific as possible. How much time do you need, and what do you want to talk about? No one is a mind reader, and you don’t want to make your contact feel like they have to make a huge effort just to do you a favor.

Seven Secrets for Thriving Artists

2010-06-30T16:25:00.000-07:00

Keep Your Word
Your word is your bond, so follow-up and follow-through. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Do what you say you will do. Don’t gossip. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. Speak freely and openly about your life and career, but walk your walk. Remember, actions speak louder than words.

Mind Your Own Business
Bette Davis once said, “I do not regret one professional enemy I have made. Any actor who doesn’t dare to make an enemy should get out of the business.” The opinions of others are, quite frankly, none of your business. Do not allow yourself to be distracted or discouraged by what others think, or say, or do. Yes, accept advice and feedback, but never forget that no one knows you like you do.

Don’t Take Yourself So Seriously
When you take yourself too seriously, you create unneeded stress, worry, and disappointment. Your best work comes from a place of freedom and playfulness. When you adopt a make-or-break attitude, you stifle your creativity. Though it may be tough to hear, no one else takes your mistakes or questions as seriously as you do. You are not as important as your ego would have you believe. So, take a chill pill, set your ego aside for a bit, and play with possibility.

Keep on Truckin'

2010-06-09T14:55:00.000-07:00

It was Albert Einstein who said, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Every action you take produces a result. Your job is to take an objective look at the results you produce and make the necessary adjustments before taking the next action. If you audition countless times without producing a callback, it’s time to adjust how you approach auditions. If your current headshots look great, but don’t produce auditions, it’s time to re-evaluate your photos. If you’ve been with the same manager or acting coach for years yet your career hasn’t changed, it might be time to shake up your team a little. If you can’t seem to catch a break doing what you’re doing, it’s time to do it differently. It’s not time to quit, but it is time to avoid insanity. In order to create the career of your dreams, you must be willing to take action, to try new things, and to make some mistakes along the way.

Let me be crystal clear here. I am in no way suggesting that you jump around giving up on things before they have time to develop. I am also not suggesting that you quit when the going gets rough. I am simply reminding you to stay alert and open to making changes. Be flexible in your actions and willing to adjust the plan as things unfold. That’s all.

Flexibility can help you to avoid failure. Please know however, that failure itself is not actually real. Dr. Wayne Dyer discusses failure in his book, Ten Secrets for Success and Inner Peace. He writes, “This may come as a surprise to you, but failure is an illusion. No one ever fails at anything. Everything you do produces a result.” READ MORE

The Real Purpose of Your Reel

2010-05-26T16:15:00.000-07:00

An actor without a demo reel is a person with a fun hobby. A demo reel is one tool that separates the professional actor from someone who is just trying to do the acting thing. Don’t be that person. Get yourself a demo reel you can be proud of.

Let me guess… you’re waiting for footage from a project you shot nine months ago. Perhaps the footage you do have from that indie you did last year has horrible sound quality, so you can’t use it. Well, you do not have to wait around for footage to appear before you create your demo reel.

Contrary to what you might think, you are completely in charge of whether or not you have a reel and whether or not it’s a tool you that makes you proud.

Your demo reel’s purpose is to showcase your chemistry with the camera, highlight your acting chops, and display your range uniqueness. Rather than summarize the work you’ve done in the past, your reel provides the opportunity to reflect where you want to take your career. Read more here.

The Master Game

2010-05-12T13:00:00.000-07:00

Here’s an interesting excerpt from “The Master Game” by Robert S. DeRopp:

“Seek, above all, for a game worth playing. Such is the advice of the oracle to modern man. Having found the game, play it with intensity. Play as if your sanity depended on it. Though nothing means anything and all roads are marked no exit, yet move as if your movements had some purpose... READ MORE HERE

TV Guide Shares Insight on Show Pickups, Cancelations, and Troubled Series

2010-05-11T13:13:00.000-07:00

TV Guide recently wrote, "The new fall TV season means plenty of promising new shows — and canceling struggling old ones to make room. As the networks roll out new programs this month at their upfront presentations to advertisers, here’s our list of 13 at-risk shows." READ MORE

Support & Three Keys to Success

2010-05-06T13:38:00.000-07:00

I remember reading a magazine interview with Uma Thurman. I think it was Vanity Fair. Anyway… While describing the scene of the interview, the reporter pointed out that Ms. Thurman was enveloped in support from the time she arrived to well past the end of the interview.

When asked about her entourage, Uma Thurman pointed out that success requires an impeccable level of support. Okay, you may not feel “entourage-ready” just yet, but if you want to elevate your success, you must examine three keys areas of support. You need systems to support your process, people to support your vision, and an environment to support your creativity.

You Are Not Your Job

2010-05-03T16:51:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share this link about redefining ourselves by our passions and not just our jobs from Alex Fayle’s blog “Someday Syndrome”.
GET LINK HERE

Thoughts on Compassion

2010-04-22T17:55:00.000-07:00

I hear, all too often, that the entertainment industry is “crazy” or “tough”. Sure, the business can be a challenge, but we must remember that the majority of people, projects, and companies are committed to the same thing – telling compelling stories. In my experience, MOST actors, agents, casting directors, and filmmakers are conscious, compassionate, and committed. READ MORE

A Quick Tip from The Tao

2010-04-19T15:56:00.000-07:00

Here’s another quick tip from my book The Tao of Show Business to help you make your next business meeting a success.

Be Interested and Be Interesting
You’re meeting with someone who just might end up working with you. In other words, you are about to embark on a relationship with this person. READ MORE

A Quick Tip from The Tao

2010-04-15T12:00:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share a tip with you from my book, The Tao of Show Business about letting go and relaxing into the flow of life. READ MORE

Ready, Set, Decide!

2010-04-14T12:46:00.000-07:00

In my opinion the biggest distinction between successful people and those who struggle is your level of decisiveness. Your ability to make inspired decisions influences your results more than the actions you take. If you want success, you must decide. READ MORE HERE

Three Things I Learned… From Greenlight Coach Jessica Sitomer

2010-04-07T16:37:00.000-07:00

Greenlight Coach Jessica Sitomer joined us last month on the Thriving Artist Circle Guest Expert call. Jessica talks about the five types of partners that you need to have in order to launch your career to the next level. But how do you select a good partner? FIND OUT HERE

Increase Your Commercial Auditions

2010-04-01T14:58:00.000-07:00

The plan seems simple: Audition. Land a national commercial. Make a lot of money. Increase your fame and gain more opportunities. However, on average, you will have fewer commercial bookings than actual auditions, so it is important to know how to maximize your time and relationships to increase your opportunities.

Here are 4 simple and inexpensive ways to increase your commercial auditions. GET THE TIPS

Four Things I’ve Learned… From Audition Coach Annie Grindlay

2010-03-29T17:06:00.000-07:00

Annie Grindlay, L.A.-based audition coach, was kind enough to share her expertise with the Thriving Artist Circle this month on how to give the best audition. In talking with casting directors, she learned that 98% of actors come into the audition room and give the same read. It’s the other 2% bringing something different to the table that book the job.

Here are four things Annie shared about how to improve your auditions.

Five Time Management Tips from Michelle Taylor

2010-03-26T15:00:00.000-07:00

As you and I both know – we can’t control how much time we have. But we can control what we do with the time that we do have, and make sure we make the most of it.

I’ve selected some of the best time management tips I’ve come across. They are also ones which are easier to follow, guaranteed to work and can be done by almost anybody.

Create a list for yourself. You have probably heard this one before – but do you do have a list? Order your to-do list from the most important/urgent tasks down to the low priority ones. Simply writing your to-do list down will help you prioritize the tasks in your life, you may find there are some things that just aren’t important enough to you to make the list. The key is to actually follow through – and do the things on your list!

Overcome Your Inner Critic - Part One

2010-03-25T12:00:00.000-07:00

You’ve got a little buddy following you around who can cause a lot of trouble if you’re not careful. It’s your Shadow. You know, that long dark shape that follows you everywhere, looks a lot like you, but isn’t you exactly. It’s that thing that never leaves your side and you know it’s there, but you can’t ever touch it. It’s your Shadow, and between you and me, it can be a real jerk sometimes.

Your Shadow is your constant companion and it’s a sly bugger who, if you’re not careful, will become your worst enemy. This Shadow often reminds you that you’re never good enough, you don’t know enough, you’re too fat or too tall or too dumb to ever accomplish anything you want. Your Shadow tells you that you don’t deserve to be happy, that other people have it easy, and that you’ll never change so why bother trying.

READ MORE

Clean Up, Clear Out, Get Creative!

2010-02-01T15:12:00.000-08:00

The second phase of this process is clearing out. It is time to create some space in your life for all the new, good things to happen in the new year ahead. Sometimes clearing out can bring up a lot of emotion because we’re literally digging up old issues and situations when we’re clearing out.

To begin, think of one to three specific, measurable goals that you would like to accomplish by the end of 2010. These goals are not written in stone but just for the purpose of this exercise, go ahead and jot down one to three specific goals.

After you have your goals in mind, it’s really important to look at how to congruent your life today is with what you want to create. Are your actions contributing to your desires?

We're Moving!

2009-09-14T09:21:00.000-07:00

My blog has moved!

Please visit http://www.dallastravers.com/blog

to read up on marketing strategies and success tips for actors.

Thanks!

Dallas

How to Make More Time for Your Purpose and Passion

2009-05-01T11:49:00.000-07:00

Last month, a student asked me for tips on working through the day to day errands that often distract you from your true purpose.

She wrote, “Since I started to practice the principles you teach, I’ve truly discovered what I am most passionate about. Now, I find that tending to necessary errands has become particularly difficult because it is so contrary to my Tao. Can you suggest any tips for making these tasks less tedious and painful, and more fun or rewarding?”

Once you discover your true passion, you certainly want to devote as much time as possible doing what’s most fulfilling. So, how do you manage the day to day busy work that must be done, but isn’t always fun to focus on?

Here are three tips to effectively manage your errands and leave more time to pursue your passions:

Automate
Save time by automating as much as possible. List all of your administrative tasks such as paying bills, cleaning your house, going to the post office, buying groceries, and running general errands. Which tasks on your list can be automated? Most banks now offer automatic bill pay, saving your time and energy. You can also automate your mailings with services like AmazingMail.com. Create a schedule for most of your monthly marketing while you’re at it. Doing so will free your mind up to focus on your craft and your career. The more you automate, the more time you’ll have and the less stress you’ll experience.

Delegate
Don’t forget that it is just another form of energy. If you are willing to spend a little money delegating some errands, you’ll have more time to focus on what you really want to do.

Years ago, I had a roommate who just couldn’t keep track of her bills. She was frequently late with her payments and struggled to establish a schedule she could stick to. So, we traded tasks. I kept track of her bills and paid them each month while she took care of all the laundry. Pretty good trade-off, if you ask me!

Think about what tasks you can hand off to another person. You might be able to barter away some tasks and perhaps pay someone to remove other jobs from your plate. Do what you’re good at and let others take care of the rest.

Appreciate
Like it or not, you will inevitably have to tackle certain jobs that are often unfulfilling, and tedious. You can easily complete these boring, yet necessary errands by identifying how these tasks serve your bigger purpose.

My client, Alicia believed that nothing was as tedious as washing her car. Alicia could list at least fifty things she’d rather do than clean her car. So, she allowed her car to become so dirty that she was embarrassed to be seen in it. Horror overtook her every time she pulled into a parking lot.

T. Harv Eckert brought renewed attention to the phrase, “The way you do anything is the way you do everything.” So, in effect, Alicia’s dirty car reflected the mess in her acting career. Alicia soon connected the dots between her messy car and her acting career. She realized that her car did not reflect the life she wanted to lead. So, she began to treat her car the way she would if she was an A-List actress. Alicia understood that the way she does anything is indeed the way she does everything. Now keeping a clean car is simple for Alicia. Every time she washes it, she knows she’s one step closer to acting success.

When you can appreciate how today’s tedious tasks serve your passion as an artist, you’ll soon fall in love with every job you do knowing that it reflects a brighter future.

Try it out. Automate your errands, delegate some jobs, and appreciate how tasks today serve your passion tomorrow.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Creative Career Coach & Author, Dallas Travers wrote the groundbreaking book, The Tao of Show Business: How to Pursue Your Dream Without Losing Your Mind. She coaches artists & actors around the globe to creatively master their business. If you’re ready to jump-start your artistic career, get your FREE Thriving Artist Starter kit now at http://www.thrivingartistcircle.com

It's Been A While, But...

2009-04-09T10:55:00.001-07:00

Hey. It's been a while since my last entry, but this blog is a must see if you're looking for a laugh.
http://www.unnecessaryquotes.com/

You Must Treat Your Career Like It Counts

2009-03-04T16:01:00.000-08:00

I'm sure many of you have experienced an apartment hunt at some point in your adult life. Think about how you approached this job. Think about the urgency & importance you placed on finding the perfect place to live in a short period of time.

Now, consider how that focus & determination compares to the approach you take toward your acting career. Is it the same? Is it even close?

If you mean business with your acting business, you must treat your career with an sense of urgency. Not emergency - just treat your career like you need it. Take bold action. Do the things you feel might be pushing it. Ask yourself, "What would I do if I needed a result TODAY?".

-Dallas

Do You Have Room for Success

2009-02-25T13:44:00.000-08:00

It's so easy to stay so busy chasing after your acting career, isn't it? Sometimes you can be so busy, working so hard that you don't have any room in your life to generate the new results you want. So, take a deep breath, slow down, & make some room for the success that awaits you.

Dallas

You Must Love Acting

2009-02-05T16:10:00.000-08:00

Okay, all you actors who hate it when people ask you what you do for a living... this ones for you.

If you think that people are judging you when you tell them those dreaded words "I'm an actor", you've got it all wrong. They aren't judging you. You are judging you. When you can't be in love with your career right now, how do you expect anyone else to appreciate the fact that you're an actor?

You gotta just love where you're at - even if you think your career is in the toilet - love it like crazy. Isn't that why you got into this pursuit? Because you love acting, love writing, love storytelling? Well, you must stand in that love each and every day while you're pursuing a professional career at it.

If you can't love it, you need to take an honest look at why you're doing this in the first place. It's way to much work, so if you don't love you're in for a painful trip.

You're here. You're doing this. You have the privilege of getting to follow your dreams. Love it. Love every bit of it.

And share that love with other people.

When you love your career whether you're waiting tables or winning Oscars, you won't notice AT ALL when other people aren't that into you. You won't notice because you'll be so freakin' happy about living your dream, your purpose. The negativity of others won't even land on your planet when you love what you're doing.

If you can't love it now, don't trick yourself into thinking that you'll love it one day when you are rich and famous. It doesn't work that way. Success doesn't change you or change how you experience the world. It only magnifies who you are. Love your career now and you'll really love it later.

-Dallas

How to Close a Meeting

2009-01-30T09:14:00.000-08:00

My client, Kate, sent me the following question yesterday. Here's our little email exchange... I think it might help you out a little.

Hi, Dallas! I have a meeting tomorrow night with a manager that my acting studio referred me to. Now, as you know, I have been taking a bunch of meetings this year, which is great! But, I have not had great success at closing the deals. I was hoping you might be able to give me some advice about how to conduct myself at the meetings in order to have better results?

Thanks a bunch,
Kate

Kate... ask the real question! At the end of the meeting... ask him if he wants to represent you. Clear and simple. That way, you'll know exactly where he is coming from. Near the end of your meeting, follow these steps:

1. Thank him for his time.

2. Give a positive observation. Thank him for something specific that he said and explain why you appreciate it. For example, "The advice you gave me about pursuing co-star credits first, makes a lot of sense to me. I"m going to use that".

3. Access the situation. If you want him to be your manager, tell him so. Let him know in very clear terms where you stand. "I've been looking for a manger who understands the value of doing good theatre work, so I'd love to be one of your clients."

4. Ask the real question. Don't beat round the bush. Ask him directly, "Would you like to represent me."

Would You Date that Loser?

2009-01-28T12:32:00.000-08:00

Actors often sell themselves short when it comes to partnering with an agent or manager. I think they believe that having an agent (any old agent) is somehow better than not having one. This is not true.

Would you date any old dude just for the sake of having a boyfriend? I hope not. You deserve to have relationships that serve you, that feel good and that move you forward.

Signing with an agent who you know in your gut is not that great is just like dating the wrong dude. It only distracts you from actually finding the RIGHT agent.

So, no representation is always better than the wrong representation.

Stop Mailing Headshots

2009-01-23T11:23:00.000-08:00

As a Creative Career Coach, it's my job to come up with innovative marketing strategies for my clients. Here's one for actors:

Stop mailing your headshots.

Yup. You read correctly. I know that a headshot is an actor's calling card, but frankly there are smarter ways for you to get your face seen. If you're looking for an agent or targeting a casting director, you are not setting yourself up for success by mailing another 8x10 photo in another 8x10 envelope. Do you have any idea how many headshots agents and casting directors receive every day? Too many to go through.

Instead, print a 5x7 or 4x6 version of your headshot. This will save you money and save a couple of trees. Better yet, when you mail a 5x7 shot in a fancy envelope, that piece of mail will not be lost in a pile of other 8x10 headshot envelopes. Instead, it will be placed in the "personal mail" pile of the agent or CD you're aiming for. This will dramatically increase the likelihood of your mail being opened.

Try it!

Don't Assume When You Don't Get That Call!

2009-01-21T12:46:00.003-08:00

I just got off the phone with a client of mine (I'll refer to him here as Alex). He had two meetings with potential commercial agents last week. One is a top commercial agency and the other an average one, at best.

Alex expected to hear from the top agency on Monday (two days ago). When he hadn't heard anything, he emailed them to say "thanks" for the meeting. The agent did not reply to his email.

So, here we are on Wednesday morning and Alex assumes that this agent has decided to pass. With an offer from the average agent on the table, Alex figured he'd better go ahead and accept.

Alex is making two mistakes here: 1) mistaking the agent's lack of call or email to be a rejection. 2) not asking the real question.

Emailing an agent to say "thanks' for a meeting is not the same as asking if they'll work with you. Until you ask that question, you cannot know for certain where your potential agent stands. Don't think you know how others think or feel. You don't and assuming you do will make you crazy.

I asked Alex how he might handle this situation if he were a realtor selling a house. If he showed the house to a prospective buyer who assured that she'd call in a couple of days to say whether or not she wanted the house, would he just assume she didn't want it if she didn't call? No way! He'd call that customer up to follow through and actually ask the real question : Do you want the house?

Same goes with agent meetings, guys. Don't be shy about asking for what you want. Don't assume the worst if you don't get the immediate feedback you're looking for. Ask the real question and treat your acting career like any other business.

Good News! After taking my advice, Alex called the agent and asked, "Would you like to work together?" I am happy to report that the agent said, "Yes" and now Alex has a top team in place.

Go Team!

Do You Really Want Auditions?

2009-01-21T12:03:00.000-08:00

In a coaching session this morning, I had a client share that her goal this year is to audition at least three times each week. I meet a lot of actors who focus very intently on securing auditions. This makes perfect sense to me, but I must ask, "How often do you think Will Smith auditions?"

Ultimately, as an actor, don't you just want to work. Don't you want the type of career that involves picking and choosing projects that inspire you and working as often as you like? Would you ever really MISS the anxiety and work involved in auditioning?

If your goal is to secure auditions, perhaps you can shift that to securing jobs. What would be different about how you approach your career if your goal was to land jobs rather than to audition all the time. Don't get me wrong. Auditioning is part an actor's job. It's part of the process. I hold no ill will toward auditions. I'm just encouraging you to focus on the end result you desire rather than the steps involved in getting you there.

This is the difference between test driving a car and buying a car. I'm willing to bet that a car salesman would prefer to seal the deal and sell more cars rather than test driving with prospective customers day after day.

So, think about it. Do you really want to audition, or do you want to work?

Thanks, Thomas Jefferson!

2009-01-17T16:36:00.000-08:00

Nothing can stop the (person) with the right mental attitude from achieving his(her) goal; nothing on earth can help the person with the wrong mental attitude.

Thomas Jefferson

Time Management for Actors & Artists

2009-01-16T10:08:00.000-08:00

When you're an actor or artist, it an be challenging to maintain consistent career momentum. A lot of my clients feel unsure about the best way to manage their time and energy when it comes to their careers. Here's what works for me:

1. Set specific office hours. You don't have to work an 8-hour day. Just carve out 6-10 hours of work per week.

2. Keep your office hours. Don't flake on your appointments with yourself. Do you ever meander into your "money job" late because your day got away from you? Do you ever flake on dentist appointments, or lunch dates? Give yourself the same courtesy you give to others.

3. Identify specific tasks or items of focus during your office hours. I know I say this ALL THE TIME, but please, Do Less More Often. Know what specific goals you want to accomplish and identify specific tasks in line with those goals. You don't have to manage a million aspects of your career. You just need to master a couple. So, do less and accomplish more.

4. Schedule at least 90-minutes in the middle of your day as flex-time. I do this and it saves my butt nearly everyday. As a coach, I can literally have back-to-back appointments all day long. I know that nothing ever unfolds precisely according to my schedule, so I give myself a "slush-fund" so to speak from 12:30- 2:00 pm. This gives me time to eat, of course. But it also allows me to catch up on whatever tasks might still be left over from my morning so I can spend the rest of my day without feeling behind schedule. A 90-minute slush fund is great for actors. It creates empty space in your schedule to move appointments into when you get a last-minute audition or meeting.

Here's a sample to outline what I'm talking about:

Sandy is an actress and screenwriter. She's got three major projects she's working on right now, so she has to juggle her time wisely.

Sandy's Goals:

1) book a small speaking role in a major motion picture with an A-list director & cast

2) complete the final draft of a feature script

3) network effectively at least twice per month

Sandy's Weekly Schedule:

M/W/F

10:00 am - 12:00 pm:

- fax at least 3 One-Sheets to TV Casting Directors requesting an audition

- call at least 1 film producer to request a relationship-building meeting with them

- mail at least 5 postcards to target list of directors

- review imdbpro.com or variety.com to keep up on film production & industry news

12:00 - 1:30

SLUSH FUND

After 1:30:

daily chores, exercise, free time, social time, Facebook time, shopping, napping, whatever sounds fun

T/TH

9:00 am - 10:30 am

- go hiking

- journal writing or brainstorming for 20 minutes during the hike

11:00 am - 12:00 pm

- shower

-return emails

-pay bills

- phone calls

12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

SLUSH FUND TIME

1:30 pm - 4:00 pm

- script writing & editing

after 4:00

free time, prepare for work, etc.

The Business of Acting

2009-01-15T13:04:00.000-08:00

Here's an idea...
If you want to make something of your acting career, you must must must treat yourself like the CEO of your business. Okay, I know that you've heard this before, but I mean business when I say this is your business.

So, how about studying BUSINESS books rather than just ACTING books to get cutting edge ideas you can apply to your maketing strategies, your relationship building, and your career in general.

I have nothing against acting books. Heck, I wrote one myself. But if you really want to grow your business... learn more about how successful business people do it.

Here are some suggestions:
The E-Myth by Michael Gerber
The Four Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferris
Seven Habit of Highly Effective People by
The Now Habit: Overcoming Procrastination and Enjoying Guilt-Free Play
by Niel Fiore

To Your Success,
Dallas Travers
Creative Career Coach & Author of The Tao of Show Business
www.dallastravers.com

2009-01-15T07:45:00.000-08:00

Well, 2009 is underway and I bet you're wondering what on earth you SHOULD do with your career. Perhaps you've been offered countless suggestions about what steps SHOULD take you to the top. Maybe you have a long list of tasks you SHOULD take on to make the most out of your year.

Instead of tackling your list of SHOULDS and always heeding the advice of others, what if you only did what you really wanted to do?

It might surprise you to learn that what you want is actually in line with your highest good regardless of whether or not that desire matches your long, long list of SHOULDS.

Last year, an actress named Bobbi hired me to help her find some motivation. She's a busy person with a lot going on. She's not only an actor, but she's also a writer and stand-up comedian with quite an interesting social life. Needless to say, Bobbi's calendar is a full one.

With such a busy schedule full of appointments and obligations, Bobbi was drained and lacked any passion for her career. Simply put, the girl was overwhelmed and exhausted. With so many projects going on, Bobbi couldn't devote sufficient energy to anything she worked on. She was spread too thin. Bobbi felt like she wasn't good at anything because she couldn't effectively throw her energy in a million and one different directions.

Digging a little deeper, I discovered that Bobbi treated everything she did as an obligation rather than a choice. She believed that she had to work really hard in order to make it. She believed she had to stay super busy every day. If she didn't, somehow that meant she wasn't going to be successful. Bobbi stayed really busy doing the
essential stuff she knew she was supposed to do, but nowhere did she find the time to do what she wanted. She also had a hard time saying no, which wasn't really working for her either. It's no wonder that Bobbi lost steam.

So, I challenged Bobbi to try a little experiment. For two weeks, Bobbi agreed to do only those things she really wanted to do. She agreed to wake up each morning and ask herself, "What do I want to do today?" Her answer would then dictate how she spent her time. This idea made Bobbi pretty nervous. She feared that if left to her
own devices, she'd just stay in bed eating pizza, watching Sex in the City reruns and ignoring her career. But she agreed that her old way of doing things wasn't working, so she'd give it a whirl.

What happened next was pretty cool. Bobbi was right. She did spend close to two full days just hanging out, pigging out, and watching television. She soon grew tired of that, so she dug out an old, unfinished script and began work on it. Over the next few days, she continued to do whatever she wanted and she got tons of stuff done.

Not only did she finish the script, but she also joined an improv group, made some agent calls, ate great food, and got a more flexible day job. Bobbi stopped hanging out with the wrong people, she began attending regular yoga class, and started cooking at home for fun. When Bobbi consciously chose how to spend her time, she realized that her choices were absolutely in line with her highest good.

Owning her choices, she fully enjoyed everything she did free of guilt or obligation. When Bobbi compared her list of obligations to her list of want-to-dos, she discovered that the lists weren't that different. Knowing she could choose her tasks, she was once again in charge of her life. Even when she ate pizza in bed, she loved it and owned that decision as well. Life for Bobbi became fun, productive,
and empowering.

Bobbi felt liberated and in command because her career belonged to her once again. She could indeed do anything she wanted to do and what she really wanted to do was creatively and aggressively pursue her acting and screenwriting career.

What would be different about your career if you only did those things you absolutely wanted to do? How would you approach your to-do list if it only contained tasks you truly desired to take on? How might you feel about your life if you lived each day exactly according to your inner most desires? What would it take to trust yourself
enough to take complete ownership of your choices, your actions, and your results?

Here's a 14-Day Challenge: Do whatever you want for the next two weeks! Trust your gut and allow yourself to do what truely inspires you. You might be surprised by the results!

- To Your Success,
Dallas

A New Year...

2009-01-04T15:21:00.000-08:00

What do you know, I turned around this morning and discovered that January 1st has come and gone. What do I want to do? Who do I want to be? How do I wish to change?

Then it occurred to me that I am living the life I've always dreamed of. It's really easy if you get out of your own way and allow things to flow. The purpose of this blog is to document my thoughts, insight, and advice to help you live your dream life as well.

Happy New Year & Enjoy!