"So, You Want To Be An Actor?"

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - Aug. 11, 2013 - PRLog -- Actors Add PR To Your Agenda  by Cinti Laird

As a performance professional, I've always known about marketing, public relations and advertising (http://cintilaird.ws/SoYouWantToBeAnActor) due to shows that I was either performing in or producing. I knew that the publicity budget needed to be at least 4 to 6 times that of the actual operating budget in order for a show to sustain itself. What I did not know is what elevates careers and how to breed it. Popularity! What breeds popularity? Familiarity! As a producer with little or no clout, I was thrilled when a performer was so popular that their guests alone filled a house.   I was more thrilled when the performer was so well connected that their involvement would draw press attention to the work. Most impressive was if their minor role won over the press with glowing career elevating reviews, while stars got minimal attention. It began to dawn on me that it takes more than fabulous head shots, superior training and great talent to make a career!

What I did not know was that the actors' popularity was not just due to friends and relations. The actor played an active role in this success by hiring (http://cintilaird.ws/SoYouWantToBeAnActor) on Public Relations. Nobody knew that the PR Rep was not just a friend. However the PR Rep had a duty to the client and was on a mission to get the client reviewed. It is all so clear to me now that the reviewer was on-site as a result of the PR Rep, for the express purpose of reviewing the client. The client turned out to be – the actor with the minor role who got major press. This is only one example of why it pays to hire a public relations firm (http://cintilaird.ws/SoYouWantToBeAnActor).Http://yprs00.wix.com/yprsolutions is now offering special rates for actors on a test market basis. Wherever you are in the world, this company can increase your local and global popularity for less than the cost of head shots. 

Again as a producer of cabaret, in my early years I spent so much money on paying musicians, private voice training, rehearsal halls, sheet music, transportation, wardrobe, props, patter coach, director, printing for post cards (http://cintilaird.ws/SoYouWantToBeAnActor), fliers, plus wining and dining people I only hoped would come to my show and bring friends. There was never a way recoup a dime from a cabaret show – only the hope of getting a good review to elevate me to the next level was a lingering prayer on my breath. What I did not know, again, and I was not writing for the local papers at that time, was that those who got reviews cultivated relationships with the press and hired press agents. With sold out performances, the only thing I got from my cabaret days besides better at it, was provisional entry into British Equity because a friend urged me to take my old singing contracts along with me. I'd found them and thought to throw them out when my British buddy said, “No, don't toss them – bring them with.” Who knew that if I'd had a press agent I might have had a review to bring with too!

In the interim between theater, cabaret, film, television and London, I met a publisher of a local Manhattan based newspaper at a playwrights retreat. Conversations with him reminded us both that I'd been an editor and writer on award winning newsletters. The woman I wrote for owned a local paper and had been a WWII shero reporting the news. She was tough on her staff and demanded high standards.

Back in New York after this News Editor had a chance to read some of my writings he invited me to write for his paper. After a few months my articles began appearing on the front page of that newspaper and the editor wanted to have a conversation. He sat me down to suggest that I did not have to limit my articles to the one paper. “Why don't you take your articles around and see if any of the other publishers are interested in printing them? It would be another source of income.” Well, starving actor that I literally was, additional sources of income were more than welcome. Especially now, while I was on hiatus finishing a play. My news stories were actually about friends and neighbors who were local celebrities – so yes, there was interest. Before I knew it one of my stories was front page news on several other papers around town. During the same period I'd been hired on a consultancy basis at one of the worlds top public relations firms which increased my skill set and helped to accommodate my trips abroad.

In May of 2013, as a result of my work developing music reality options, I decided to offer performers and musicians an opportunity to test out my Public Relations skills. A gift for my birth month to whomever, wherever that wanted to test the importance of having a public relations press representative. Those who took me up on it found that their shows SOLD OUT.

Well honestly, it was a test to bring about awareness, and offer career boosters in the spirit of community.  I didn't really know what would become of it then. However, I realized that when my own shows take off they will rely heavily on press.  Might as well start now.  Heaven knows that once we get underway we will always be busy – posting – blogging – editing – daily tweets, comments and press releases.

So, you want to be an actor?  Take the test, invest in your career above and beyond studies, a great wardrobe, agent and head shots.  Actors, add PR to your agenda, get popular, expand your network, get results.  Request our special limited opportunity introductory rate for performers - know what to ask for.

Http://yprs00.wix.com/yprsolutions   (213) 928-6820 or (631) 604-0006
 
CLPinc. is a production development company with film, television, theater, drama, comedy plus a variety of music reality shows in it's portfolio, a property of Actress/Writer/Director Cinti Laird.  Prior to beginning a professional acting career in film, television and theater Ms. Laird worked behind the scenes in advertising, public relations and has always worked as a published journalist.  Http://yprs00.wix.com/yprsolutions