Building your social media brand as an actor


Let’s face it, being an actor today is increasingly difficult. A saturated market of uber-talented professionals means there’s more competition for roles and the ways in which an actor can get cast is broader than ever before.

If you’re struggling to get seen by the decision makers in the industry and are unsure why, or feel you are missing out on parts you know you would have aced, you may have fallen victim to being on the wrong side of the digital age. Yes, we’re talking social media.

Whether it’s catching up on your friend’s holiday pics on Instagram, letting your followers know that you hate your morning commute on Twitter or simply falling down the rabbit hole of watching TV blooper reels on YouTube, chances are, you’re doing something on social media. But are you using your time wisely?

Casting directors and production companies are now looking beyond strong professional experience and a great acting ability when casting actors. Talent with a loyal digital following can yield superior commercial return over those without. A prime example is Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. He has amassed over 150million Instagram followers and routinely publicises his projects to his fans, making him being attached to a project a marketer’s dream.

We’re not suggesting you must aim for 150million followers in order to benefit your acting career, but having a well-crafted digital footprint is a great exercise in branding yourself as an actor and helping carve out your niche.

Here are just a few ways you can cultivate your social media platforms as an actor and build your brand:


Research yourself

When you type your name into Google, what comes up? Is it social media accounts you haven’t used in years or your acting website that isn’t displaying your most recent roles? This is how you are appearing to casting directors.


Understand each platform

To establish an effective online presence, understanding the best content to post on each social media platform is key. Got some great headshots or nice images of you on set? Instagram. Looking to strike up a lighthearted conversation with someone in the industry? Twitter. Showreels or short form snippets of you acting? All platforms! TikTok and YouTube especially. Bonus points for using the same handle across each platform!


Consolidate your content

If you’re regularly posting snippets of your showreel, short form videos of skits you’ve been working on or are publishing content in a series-like format, use a hashtag in your posts so visitors can check out all other posts with ease.


Expand your reach

Have you recently worked on a production or attended a networking event and left with only contacts’ email addresses? This can be a pretty dry way to grow potentially rewarding relationships. Swap Twitter or Instagram handles and keep up to date with each other there. Looking to increase your social media engagement? Team up with fellow professionals in the industry and cross collaborate on creating original content and shares.

As an actor you will be used to being in full view of an audience and demonstrating your skills - having a strong online presence is no different. Social media is not going anywhere, so it’s about time we embraced the lucrative ways in which actors can ride the digital wave.


You can share all your social media profiles on your Mandy Profile. Why not browse our Jobs Directory for actors and we can help you get cast in your next role? If you would like to speak with our team, get in touch with us on: 020 7288 7404 or via email at emails@mandy.com.