How does sales get you more auditions?

My client, Actress Ana Maria Perez wanted more auditions

She didn’t want to sell herself—-She was stuck on wanting for an agent first and in the meantime missing all of the auditions she was right for which was A LOT!!!

So, she found an agent who did nothing for her, no auditions. At that point, she came to my Gamechanger three-day event. And despite my telling her what to do to get out there, she wasn’t taking my advice. She just couldn’t get past the seller point.

Finally, in January 2016, she confided in me, “Val, I’m going to do what you tell me to do. But I’m so scared.” I assured her, “It’s okay.”

Her first drop-off, she carried $30 worth of cupcakes to a casting director’s office. No one was there. Lights out. Gone. She texted me, “What do I do?” I answered back, “Well, you have two choices. You can eat $30 worth of cupcakes or you can go to the next person on your list.”

She went to the next person on her list. To date she’s had four auditions for major pilots and callbacks from that second person on her list, she also booked a SERIES shooting in Columbia She pushed through her fear and crossed over that seller boundary and she GOT HUGE auditions and bookings.

Eight seconds of courage can get you a lifetime of happiness. —that is my favorite quote from my friend and coach Melissa McFarlane http://www.creativesuccessfulentrepreneurs.com

Sell to your true buyers.

So many people get caught up at the selling mark. Very few sail through that hurdle with flying colors. I’ve worked with thousands of actors and I can honestly say that those who have made it by simply getting an agent are about one percent, maybe two percent of all working actors.

Agents don’t pay you to act. Casting directors do. Unions don’t hire you. Producers do. An agent is a seller. So is a union. And so are you. I can’t emphasize this enough. You are your own best seller!

“I got an acting career in L.A. because of Valorie. Initially, I hired her to get help with a presentation, thinking by getting an agent and a manager I would be set. But I learned it’s not just about finding an agent. I had to sell myself. Being an actor is a business and I am in charge of it. I could have probably learned this over time on my own, but it would have taken me years rather than months. Valorie’s experience is very extensive. And she’s a business woman. Before I worked with her, I felt like I was just waiting to get in the game and I didn’t know how. She’s taught me how to get in the game.”- Ana Maria Perez, actor/Actor’s Fast Track client)

As an actor who has clearly defined your own brand, you are the very best seller to represent yourself to hiring producers and casting directors because you are completely invested in selling your unique, specialized brand. And you are the only brand you are selling.

Even more perplexing is why you would wait until you find an agent who might potentially someday get your product out there when you can do it yourself now.

This makes no sense at all.

The key to active selling is to keep putting yourself out there.

Here’s the thing. People sell everything all day long. My phone rings one-hundred million times a day, and it’s always someone either trying to give me money for my business or someone who wants to fix my house. Some days I answer the phone and the person who wants to fix my house calls me at the same time I’m looking for someone to fix my house. And the fact is, if the person calling to fix my house does other creative things to capture my attention, they will probably get my business a lot faster.

The primary reason you make a sales call is to get an audition. These tips will help you when making that contact.

Ask for the person you are calling. Act like they should know you.
Call to pitch for a specific role, invitation to a showcase or play.
Get the name of the person you are talking to.
Have a general pitch ready – For example, “Hey, it’s Valorie Hubbard. I would like to pitch myself for (a particular role) and my recent credits include…”

I’ve been an actor for 31 years and I’ve heard people say, “Oh, that’s against protocol” or “Oh, you’re not supposed to do that.” It’s as though there’s an unspoken rule book out there. But I’ve asked everyone. And there is no rulebook.

I’m not asking you to break the law. I’m just asking you to look beyond what is given to you. Take a moment and ask yourself, “Is what they’re telling me I can’t do always true?”

My SALES rulebook is as follows:

Don’t make a quick decision.
Always look at everything closely.
Know what you’re selling.
Have a criteria list; a list of why you take a project.
It’s the Wild West out there, so keep a close eye on your money. There are a lot of people out there double-dipping right now, agents who take more commission from you than they’re due.

“Valorie has always been a rule breaker and she encourages us to do the same.” – Carolyn Faye Kramer, actor/Actor’s Fast Track Coach

If you want an opportunity to sell yourself we are doing JUST THAT at our 5th Annual SUMMER GAMES

Tickets are selling out: http://www.theaftgames.com