Want to show the world your outstanding talent? Be easily found by industry professionals on Google, Yahoo, and more? One of the greatest promotional tools for actors is an acting website. Websites are essential for businesses and acting is a business. While there are a number of different kind of website designs, many actors choose to have a menu bar at the top of their website to guide visitors to the sections they are most interested in viewing. So what pages should you have on your website so your viewers have a positive experience exploring your content?
1. Home. It goes without saying that your homepage is über important, because it’s the first thing people see when they visit your website. Be sure you have chosen a web design that makes a clean, defining visual impact; one that is easy to read and navigate. Some actors use just a single dynamic headshot and a menu bar for the homepage, while others also include photos that best represent the character types they can play. Actors may choose to add a brief biography if they don’t want an “about me” section. It is important that your homepage is not crowded with too many images or too much text.
2. About me. Write a bio about yourself. If you’re comfortable with sharing personal information, write where you’re from, where you’re currently acting (which major city you’re located in or near), with whom you have studied, special skills, hobbies, and interests. Specifying your pastimes will give you a friendlier feel, which can be good for commercial and comedic actors. If you relate to more serious material and want to promote yourself strictly as a dramatic actor, leave out your quirky qualities and instead add reviews or comments about your dramatic ability and achievements.
3. Headshots. For actors who desire to have a whole headshot page (instead of images just on the homepage), it’s best to display a grid of pictures instead of a slideshow. Slideshows have been found increasingly ineffective as people get impatient to wait for the next picture or have to continually click through. A grid allows your website visitor to simply scroll down to see more photos. Imagine if Instagram made people click through all the photos instead of simply scrolling down? You get the point. Make sure your photographs are taken by a professional photographer and that they reflect your castability. The last thing you want to do put up a plethora of less-than-flattering photos that don’t market you appropriately. To learn how to get great pictures, check out my Backstage article, “5 Tips for a Successful Headshot Session.”
4. News. It’s crucial to share what projects you’re currently working on and what you have booked in the past. Having a news section allows your visitors to see that you are working as an actor. You can announce any upcoming performances whether theater or TV/film. If you have press photos, reviews, or other industry-related news, add that information here. If you haven’t been booking consistently, do not be discouraged! Feel free to post about your producer sessions, short films, student films, theater performances, speaking engagements, etc. How about getting involved in philanthropic work? Everyone likes to read what you are doing for the good of others.
5. Demo reels. It’s imperative that actors have updated, professional quality footage on their websites. Industry professionals want to see your acting ability! Be sure you only include your absolute best performance clips and that your demo reel(s) in less than five minutes. Please do not include montages unless it is a stunt performance reel. I have heard a number of industry professionals complain about montages, because they are unable to truly see an actor’s ability to listen, connect, and react in short, music-driven clips. Yes, your footage should be in HD unless a recent film is specifically stylized in some other way. If you have enough footage, you can split your demo reels into comedic, dramatic, hosting, and other categories. I recommend putting your comedic reel first, so that your dramatic reel doesn’t weigh down your laughable moments. Specify which reel is which to make it easy for visitors to find the clips they’re looking for.
6. IMDb. People want to know what you’ve officially been credited in, so give them an option to click on your IMDb link. When people look you up on IMDb, they increase your STARmeter. While some actors get frustrated at IMDb for having this feature, producers and directors do take ratings seriously on occasion. Even if you are new to acting and do not have many professional credits, get yourself on IMDb. You may add credits as you book them.
7. Contact information. While I don’t necessarily recommend posting your personal information on your website, put your agency contact information up. If you’re unrepresented, it’s safer to put your email than your phone number. It is important to have your contact information up, so that industry professionals can contact you about potential work.
8. Social media information. Encourage others to follow you by linking your Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Instagram, and whatever other accounts you will be using to promote yourself. Build your fan base! By developing your fan base on social media platforms, you will be adding a vital Internet presence which may help you get more work.
As you design your acting website, make sure that you write in the footer that all images are copyrighted and belong to you. That way, other websites cannot steal the photographs for their own use without your permission. Above all, you want to have an orderly, organized website that’s easy to navigate. These eight items will enable visitors to learn more about you and your acting ability/achievements in an easy and fun way!
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