Acting Business Skills

The Acting Business

After fifteen years of living corporate business, I believe that the principles that apply in business also apply to promoting oneself in the acting business. Since I’ve been involved in the acting industry, I’ve also heard this said many times. For example, Brian O’Neil’s book Acting As a Business, Third Edition: Strategies for Success is one of the most read books among actors. Leslie Becker, author of The Organized Actor has a class she teaches in NY called Mastering Show Business. And I’ve heard Lisa Gold, owner of Actors Connection start off speeches to new actors saying, “There’s a reason why they call it Show-Business!”

To be successful as an actor long-term, you need to develop some business skills!

The Most Important Business Skills You Need

Have a look at the basic acting business skills you'll need to get your career off to a great start and keep it going! This top ten list is taken from my book: Acting Career Start-Up. In the book you will find all 21 of the necessary business skills.

The following is a list of ten of those ever so important principles.

A Necessary Next Step: Analysis

You’ve hopefully by now already started to analyze yourself so that you will fully be able to capitalize on your strengths and improve on your weak areas so that you can rise to the occasion and win at the business of acting.

1. Study the Market

2. Your USP: Unique Selling Proposition

3. Your Customers

4/5/6. Setting Of Goals/Planning/Monitoring Of The Plan

7. Budgeting and Finances

8. Marketing and Promotional Activities

9. Entrepreneurial Skills

10. Sustainable Growth

Here are some books that you must own if you are looking for long-term success in this very competitive industry!

Site Map | Home | Who's Behind ACSUp.com | Acting Career Blog | Site Testimonials | Actor Q & A | Buy Acting Books | Typical Day Of An Actor | Start Your Career | Fund Your Career | Acting Classes | Acting Schools |International Actors | The Business Of Acting | Actor Promotion Tips | Your Actor Website | Teen Actors Guide | About Disney Channel Auditions | Headshot Advice | How To Find An Agent | First Audition Advice | Avoiding Scams | Find Acting Scripts | Find Monologues | Resources For Singers | Acting Industry Information | Cruise Ship Opportunities | Nutrition & Health For Actors | Public Speaking Tips | Staying Motivated | Link Exchange | Contact/Ask A Question | The Bollywood Connection | Find Acting Work |

Become a member
of the fastest growing community for new and aspiring actors and get your copy of the free ebook:
HOW TO START
AN ACTING CAREER
just for signing up!
We promise to protect your privacy and not to give your information to anyone else.

First Name* First Name* E-mail Address* E-mail Address*

---

Take The Actor Quiz and help us see where you stand in your new acting career!

Hi Tony
I would like to thank you for helping me with the monologue question I asked in October 2007. I went to the auditions for a Drama course and I am happy to say that I have been accepted as a first-year student at the Tshwane University of Technology. Please keep on sending me those newsletters and let me know where I can find books that will help me in my acting career. Thank you once more. Have a blessed day.
Sincerely
Edward Thaba -South Africa

-----------------

Hi,
I was wondering if there is anything established like actingstartup.com in the U.K. because you are amazing and I have learned loads...
Thank You.
Nadine., Newcastle, UK

-----------------

Dear Anthony,
Just wanted to thank you for bringing me in to [audition for the video], meet you and chat this Saturday. I was really excited to hear about your working on actingcareerstartup.com and even took a look at it today - it's awesome! You are very well-spoken, knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and it shows through the work that you do! I hope our paths in the industry will cross again and really enjoyed meeting you. Thanks, again and best wishes with your very important work!
Warmly,
Gretchen, NY, NY

-----------------

Hey Tony, thanks for the info, yours by far is the most useful, I am 30 years old, and I myself always (secretly) wanted to be an actress, but I never knew where to begin, so thank you. You have given me hope!
Ana C., Tampa, FL

-----------------

Hi, I’m John.
You answered a question for me about two weeks ago about how to write my cover letters…I want you to know your advice was helpful. I got called in for a part as an extra in my first movie! It’s not big, but it’s my first one! Thanks for your help!
John, San Diego, CA