Actors tell me all the time that they know they should be sending postcards, but they're pretty sure casting directors just throw them in the trash, so what's the point?
It's true. Casting directors throw actor postcards in the trash.
After the postcards have done their job.
Postcards are like bananas… They end up in the trash once they've served their delicious purpose. (If you don't like bananas, substitute your favorite food-with-a-wrapper; The analogy is the same.)
But don't take my word for it. Have a look at this recent Twitter exchange between an actor friend, a tv casting director, and me. (Names & locations have been blurred to protect the innocent.)
My friend was at the casting office, saw my postcard in the trash, and Tweeted this to me, copying the casting director:
The casting director Tweeted my friend back, copying me:
Suddenly my postcard being in the trash is a pretty great thing, right?
And even if your postcard goes in the trash before you book the show, it's done what postcards are supposed to do… Move you to the front of the recipient's mental filing cabinet, where they think, "Oh yeah! I love that actor, and s/he's doing great stuff! I've gotta get him/her in for something!"
So now you have one less excuse for not sending postcards. But you've got more where that came from! Any of these sound familiar?
- "I did a postcard mailing and nothing happened"
- "I don't know what to say on a postcard"
- "I don't know who to send postcards to"
That's what coaching is for. My last postcard mailing got me 10 auditions - 6 for offices I've never been to before. (That's the truth.)
Ready to start sending effective postcards? Schedule a coaching session!