Don't Let Your -Yes Year- Become Your Entire Career

If you’re an actor who feels stuck in your acting career, trust me, you're not alone. I get it, it's frustrating. You're doing everything right—training, hitting up workshops, working out, honing your craft—but it's just not getting you the results you want. 

So, what's the missing piece?

The Harsh Reality

Here's the deal: the actors and acting coach aren’t the ones doing the casting. If you’re not putting in the effort to get auditions, you're relying on luck. And let's face it, luck isn't a career strategy.

You need to take control, step on the gas, and steer your career where you want it to go. To really make progress, you need to focus on more than just your acting skills.

The Business Side of Acting

Sure, some things are out of our control. You can't make someone cast you. But if you're working on your craft and the business side of acting, you'll eventually get noticed and cast because you’re good. Casting directors and agents will know about you.

Think of it like baking the best bread in the world but not opening a bakery to sell it. No one would ever get to taste it. The same goes for you as an actor; you've got to put yourself out there and let people see what you can do.

Making a Big Push

Maybe you started the year off strong, thinking, "2024 is going to be my year!" You sent tons of emails to casting directors, maybe looked for an agent, but then...crickets. 

This lack of response can be disheartening and create limiting beliefs in your mind. You might start to think, "I'm doing everything right. Why am I not getting the results I want?"

Surviving the Limiting Beliefs

When you put in all that effort and don’t get the outcome you were hoping for, it’s easy to start wondering if it’s you. You might begin thinking you’re too old, too tall, too heavy, too thin, too dark, too light—whatever those limiting beliefs might be. 

So, why didn't you get any responses? It's often because you sent out a mass mailing. Nobody likes mass mailings. It takes more time, but writing individual emails can yield better results.

Writing the Perfect Email

Introduce yourself succinctly but effectively. Highlight your castability and let them know how they can use you. If you're responding to an audition notice, say so. If you're reaching out because you admire their work on a particular series or film, let them know. Everyone loves a genuine compliment!

Building authentic relationships is more important than creating transactional ones. Nobody wants to feel used. Instead, focus on adding value to them. Use humor, show your personality, and be concise. Just say what you need to and then say goodbye. 

The worst that can happen is that you don't hear back, which already happened with your mass mailing approach.

Check Your Branding

But, if you've written personal emails and still aren't hearing back, it's time to look at your branding. There could be a disconnect between you and your materials. I mean, hear me out—the industry is visual, and a confused mind doesn't cast; they move on. 

Your job as an actor is to make casting directors, directors, showrunners, and agents feel confident about working with you. You need to show them where you want to go, not where you've been.

Now, let's talk about the projects you choose.

Your "Yes Year" vs. Your Career

When you have a "yes year"—saying yes to everything from independent films to low-budget and no-budget projects—it can sometimes turn into a decade of yes. Be careful about saying yes to everything, as it can prevent you from saying yes to bigger opportunities.

While there are many great small and independent projects, they should be chosen strategically. When you say yes to something, you're saying no to something else. For example, saying yes to a low-budget commercial might mean saying no to a nationwide commercial for the same brand.

When you first start out or return to acting, it's natural to say yes to everything. But be mindful and strategic. 

Be Strategic with Your Choices

Some projects won't give you material in a timely manner, if at all. Others might not be relevant to where you are in your career by the time you get the footage.

Make sure your "yes year" doesn't become your entire career. Show the industry where you want to go and what you're capable of. We all have amazing studios in our pockets. 

Work with people who have other skills to shoot something yourself or do a self-tape.

The Power of a Self-Tape

A well-shot self-tape can work wonders. It’s the language that agents, casting directors, directors, and producers understand. Make sure your setup is on point: good lighting, good sound, good framing.

If your showreel isn't great, make sure everything else—branding, headshots, website, casting portals—is flawless. A professional-level self-tape can signal to industry people that you're someone they can work with

Final Thoughts

Taking control of your career is all about being strategic, personal, and professional with every step you take.

Keep pushing, stay resilient, and remember to showcase your unique strengths.

Your journey in the acting world is a marathon, not a sprint. 

And, if you’re a trained actor, serious about your career but struggling to get to the next level, then book an appointment with me. It’s free, and together we can figure out if you’re a good fit for my program, and if you’re not, we’ll figure out the next best steps for your journey together.

Until next time, you stay your bold and beautiful self.

Anne