Written by Terence Rodia, the Director of YOU Management
Back in the day, getting noticed was all about the perfect headshot. Fast forward to 2024, however – and there’s a new addition to performing arts resume: social media. Whilst getting online and sharing your stories with the world may not be a requisite, it certainly helps you to get a head start. Having said that, raking in likes and having thousands of followers is far from a golden ticket, with aspiring professionals advised to be wary of jumping blindly onto the latest trend wagon for the sake of popularity – particularly when this means compromising who you truly are as a person.
In this vying sector, it’s incredibly tempting to be cut-throat and do anything and everything just to get noticed. But when it comes to social media, paring things back to bring true authenticity is often the better move. Not only does it protect us from becoming unwitting victims of fleeting trends – in spheres where people seen to be engaging in the outdated can soon be cancelled – but it also helps to convey strong sense of presence and character. It’s this conviction, remaining grounded and faithful to who you really are, that gets you noticed, with industry professionals recognising unshakable self-possession as central to any outstanding performance.
Lights, camera, authenticity
With platforms like YouTube, TikTok and Instagram literally at our fingertips, today’s performers have an unrivalled opportunity to showcase their talents directly to an audience – including to industry professionals. In fact, multiple industry accounts have suggested that a growing number of casting directors now look at an actor’s social media presence as part of their process – most often to get a sense of your personality, gauge your dynamic with your audience and to check how active you are in promoting your work. Remember, bigger numbers don’t necessarily translate to better chances here. What matters is the ways in which you are connecting with your audience and whether that audience is relevant to your career aspirations.
Don’t just follow the script
The latest dance challenge or viral sound may bring a temporary surge in likes, but does it really serve your long-term career? If the answer is no, it’s time to rethink your social media strategy to come up with content that resonates with the right audience. It’s all about building an authentic, consistent presence rather than posting what’s popular, sharing behind-the-scenes insights into your creative process or thoughts on upcoming productions rather than filling your feed with meaningless trends. This is much more likely to support your professional journey, building deeper connections with those who matter to your craft, rather than attracting just fleeting attention.
From likes to leads
When used correctly, social media is the perfect place to carve out a space in which you can shine. This means going above and beyond the basics of simply identifying as a musical theatre performer or other career type to consider what makes you unique within your particular field. Perhaps you have a passion for reviving long forgotten songs or are an advocate for diversity in theatre? Whatever it is, from a unique talent for comedic improv to a special interest in environmental sustainability within the arts, let that be the focus of your online presence.
Finding your niche or micro-niche can be crucial in engaging a more relevant, dedicated audience, allowing you to attract followers who are truly invested in your journey and are likely to support you long-term – whether this means sharing constructive feedback on your talents or approaching you with potential career opportunities.
Backstage access
There’s a lot of research right now showing that people are getting tired of curated feeds, filters and carefully crafted personas. In this landscape, authenticity can feel like a breath of fresh air, with audiences and industry professionals alike able to spot insincerity from miles away. So, it’s imperative to show the real you. Share your wins and also your struggles, posting about the challenges you face in the industry, the moments of self-doubt and the things you do to overcome them. It will all make you more relatable – and likeable – as a person. Vulnerability builds trust and reliability – both of which are key.
It’s all about giving your followers and viewers a non-standardised performance, peeling back the gloss of a finished production to show what’s behind the scenes, whether this means getting up close and personal about your own life or sharing sneak peaks of rarely seen occurrences, such as dance rehearsals, job applications and the things you do between jobs.
Not just for show
Whilst being active and authentic on social media can be valuable, however, it’s important to be aware of certain traps that performers must avoid. Oversharing personal details blurs the lines between what’s professional and private – something that, if done incorrectly, could come back to haunt you. Venting frustrations about colleagues or the industry in general can be damaging, for example. Remember, what goes online stays online – and your digital footprint can influence future opportunities and affect how potential employers perceive you.
Crafting a lasting reputation
Think of your online presence as an extension of your career. Every post, story or TikTok adds to the narrative of who you are as a performer. As your career progresses, casting directors, agents and collaborators will look to this story to get a sense of who you are off-stage, too, with a consistent, authentic online presence serving as a powerful endorsement of your professionalism and character.
So, next time you post, ask yourself: does this reflect the performer I want to be? After all, on the social media stage, the most compelling role you can play is yourself.
