Building An Audience of Engaged Fans On Social Media

Social media is a powerful tool for any business. It allows you to reach out to your customers and potential new ones in a cost-effective way without having to spend money on advertising. But one of the most important aspects of social media marketing is engaging with your fans. There are many ways that you can do this, but here are some tips that will help you get started building an audience of engaged fans on social media.

Determine the right social media platform for you and your business

There are many platforms to choose from, but you generally recommend that you focus on two or three.

Damon Becnel says that by focusing on these key social media channels (e.g., Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter), you’ll be able to better engage with your fans because they will receive updates more often than if you were active across multiple platforms.

Posting too frequently can make some people feel like they’re being spammed; however, not posting enough could lead them to unfollow or unlike your page altogether. If someone doesn’t follow back within a certain timeframe (seven days is common practice), then don’t take it personally – this person probably just isn’t engaged in your content at the moment. Many businesses have different types of followers who want to be engaged in different ways. For example, a very visual brand might find Instagram to be a better fit for them than Facebook or Twitter because of the highly visual nature of the platform.

In addition to determining which social media platforms are right for you and your business, determine when they’re best used. Most businesses post at least once per day on each channel, as this allows their followers/fans to see updates from other pages that they follow and yours later in the day. However, what works for one person may not work for another, so test out posting times and determine what gets your fans most excited!

Create a catchy username that will stand out from other users

When you set up your social media channels, make sure that your username is unique and catchy. This will help to ensure that people can find you easily when they search for certain keywords related to your business (e.g., “best dog groomers in New York” or “top accountants in London”).

Use a combination of upper case letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols – the more creative, the better! If possible, choose something associated with either your company name or brand, so it’s easier for fans to remember (e.g., @the_artful_dog instead of @artful_dog).

Craft a profile description to tell potential followers who you are, what your business is about, and why they should follow you

Ensure that you include the basics in your profile description (e.g., company name, website link) and try to let customers know what they can expect from following/liking your page and where their information will go when they sign up for updates.

You could say something like: “We are a dog grooming business located in New York City offering full-service grooming at affordable prices with no hidden fees” or “Follow us if you love dogs!”

Fill in as much information as possible so people can find you easily on search engines 

Another way that people find businesses on social media is by searching. If they’re looking for something specific, your business will likely come up in the results if you’ve filled out all of the relevant fields – but only if you fill them out!

For example, let’s say someone was searching for “dog grooming in New York City.” They would probably choose to follow/any pages returned from this search because they are located in the area and offer services that may be beneficial to them. In addition, these pages could then show up higher in future searches as their follower numbers increase.

Your profile should include:

• Company name

• Location (city & state) – including general geographic terms such as the country in the U.S.

• Website link (if there is one)

• Other links you would like to include such as Instagram, Pinterest, or Twitter accounts 

Ensure that all of your information can be found on your website, so it’s easy for people interested in finding out more about you and your business! Also, updating this information when necessary will help search engines find new pages/posts with ease – which means more fans!  

Create an attractive avatar or logo to represent yourself online

A great way to brand your social media channels is by using an avatar or logo that fans will easily recognize.

Your image should be:

• Unique and creative (don’t just use a photo of yourself!)

• Clean and crisp (make sure the colors work well together)

• Appropriate for all ages 

A great example of a logo that you could use for your business is the Facebook “f” icon. It’s simple but suits most types of businesses, and it’s easy to recognize!

You can also choose a background color scheme to match or complement your avatar. People know what they’re clicking on while scrolling through their newsfeeds. Just make sure not to overdo it by choosing too many colors as this will only confuse fans/potential customers.                  

Add content regularly and interact with others to build relationships and trustworthiness

Everyone knows that it’s the content on social media – not the number of followers you have – that will keep people coming back for more. So make sure to add interesting, relevant, and engaging posts daily (or at least weekly) so customers know they’re in the right place!

You don’t have to write full blog posts, but you can share links that will direct fans/customers to your latest and greatest news or product releases. You could also post images of events in the community, links to articles about industry trends, and even fan testimonials.

Remember: it’s not just what you say – how you say it is equally as important! Make sure all content is up-to-date and includes correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Hence, readers know you care about providing a quality experience for them (and they’ll be more likely to reciprocate by following through with any requests such as sharing your information!).

Nancy Etz

How to Finance Your Acting Career

Pursuing an acting career is the dream of millions of people, with few ever taking the steps needed to pursue their dream. When setting out on a career as an actor, the problem of paying for acting classes, headshots, theatre fees, and basic living can be a problem. Career Village reports technology has lowered the cost of starting an acting career, with headshots costing around $500.

1. Apply to the Nancy Etz Scholarship

The best actors spend years honing their craft in classes and with regional theatre groups. The first step on the acting ladder will often come at high school or college when an actor can explore the theatre for the first time. College students hoping to find financial help for their studies can apply to the Nancy Etz Scholarship, which provides a $1,000 donation towards tuition. Acting is one of the arts-based disciplines listed as part of the Nancy Etz Scholarship.

2. Get the Best Training

No matter how much natural talent a performer is born with, they can improve with training. Acting can be expensive, but choosing to audition for a regional community theatre will give you access to actors with more experience. High school and college productions are good ways of receiving free training from experienced individuals.

Moving up to professional level training will cost money. The choices include finding classes through a four-year college course or enrolling at a specialized dram school. If you are seeking financial assistance for your training, you should check your student loan eligibility.

3. Find a Job

The image of the resting actor is not sustainable in real life. Backstage reports the best option is to find a job offering the flexibility to attend auditions and pursue an acting career. The popular image of the penniless actor resting between jobs is a popular one but not sustainable. Acting coaches will often discuss the plans for making money for their students to make sure they can support themselves.

4. Choose a Base

The temptation is to choose to become an actor and immediately head for Los Angeles or New York. There are several hubs of theatre groups around the U.S. located in the Pacific Northwest, the Midwest, and the Southeast. To learn to become an actor in Los Angeles or new york requires at least $10,000 in savings to find an apartment and give you time to find a flexible job. The cost of living close to a regional theatre group, such as those in Auston, Texas will be lower and provide an actor with the experience needed to learn their craft.

5. Chase Your Dream

One of the costly mistakes made by actors in the early stages of their careers is to sit and wait for the right opportunity. High-quality actors often write and perform their own material or form reading groups with actor friends. Taking your future into your own hands is less costly than sitting around waiting for the perfect role to fall into your lap.

The acting profession is difficult to break into and can take time to achieve success. In the end, actors with a reputation for talent and hard work are rewarded with the career they deserve.

Colby Burke Discusses 5 Movies You Probably Didn’t Know Were Filmed In, or Around, Hilton Head

There are so many people out there who absolutely love movies, especially ones that are filmed in or around the area they live or grew up in. Movies are watched by people of all walks of life, including dentist Colby Burke Hilton Head. It’s easy to do a quick search to see where movies where filmed and this list is going to let you see 5 movies that were filmed in or around Hilton Head! 

1. Forrest Gump

This movie is one of the most popular movies ever. It came out in 1994 and was filmed in many different areas around South Carolina, including: Fripp Island and Hunting Island. In case you’ve never seen the movie, it’s the story of a man that is mentally challenged. Even with this disability, he lives life to the fullest and does the same things other people do, such as: fighting in the Vietnam War and being the captain of a shrimp boat. 

2. The Notebook

This is another movie that was filmed in multiple locations around South Carolina, including: Cypress Gardens and Edisto Island. It came out in 2004 and it’s the story of a rich girl and poor guy that fall in love. Many things happen that tear them apart, but they eventually make their way back to each other. After being married for many years, the girl eventually develops dementia and doesn’t remember anything. The guy is reading the story from a notebook to help jog her memory. It’s a beautiful love story! 

3. Full Metal Jacket

For the most part, Full Metal Jacket was filmed on Parris Island, which is about 47 minutes from Hilton Head. Released in 1987, this movie is definitely not for the faint of heart! It follows a private during training and the Vietnam War. He eventually becomes a journalist and actually participates in the Battle of Hue. It might not seem like it’s too bad, but there are quite a few things that happen over the course of the movie that are actually pretty hard to watch. 

4. Dear John

Like The Notebook, Dear John is another beautiful romance story. It came out in 2010 and was filmed in many South Carolina locations, including: Folly Beach and Isle of Palms. In short, the movie is about a woman and soldier. They have a long distance romance since he’s frequently deployed. While they don’t see each other much, they keep in contact through letters. Like most romantic movies, they end up ending their relationship, but end up together anyways! 

5. The Sacrament

While this movie is in the horror category, it messes with you on a psychological level. It was filmed in Savannah, Georgia, which is only about 40 minutes away from Hilton Head. While it doesn’t come right out and say it, the film is loosely based on the real-life Jonestown Massacre. This movie has a lot of subject matter that is mature and uncomfortable, so make sure you’re ready when you sit down to watch! 

While these are only 5 of the movies, there are quite a few others that were filmed in this area. If you have ties to the area, like Colby Burke Hilton Head, then you’re probably pretty excited that so many movies came from here! If you want to see what other movies were filmed in Hilton Head, just do a quick search-you might be surprised of the results! 

Wood Harris

So You Want To Be An Actor – 5 Ways To Make It In Hollywood

Wood Harris

Just about every aspiring actor has daydreamed about success in Hollywood. However, few actually have the discipline to see their dreams through. Breaking through as an actor is about more than just being talented. It also requires continuous effort and taking chances. These are five ways to make it in Hollywood.

1. Study acting

Whether you’re taking classes, receiving private training, or just observing other actors on film, you need to be committed to studying. Acting is not as simple as memorizing lines. You need to understand all the nuances that goes into bringing a character to life. Watch a film featuring one of your favorite actors. What about the performance is is so involving to you? How does the actor create a character that feels so real? Take notes and think about how you can apply those lessons to your own characters.

2. Understand your characters

Being an actor is not about pretending to be someone else. It’s about embodying someone to the point that you and them are practically one in the same. To make this possible, you need to understand your characters. Even if you don’t like them, you can still understand them. Wood Harris is able to craft fascinating characters, good and bad, because of how clearly he understands them. One idea is to create a detailed character history. Think about how your character might have gotten to where they are in life and what influenced their decisions.

3. Audition constantly

Hardly any A-list star became an overnight sensation. They have had to deal with rejection or being forced to accept bit parts. However, they would all tell you that these setbacks were actually strides on their journey to success. Getting ahead as an actor is all about taking advantage of opportunities. If you have a chance to audition, take it. The worst thing they can say is no.

4. Network

There’s hardly any better way to advance in your career than by networking. If you’re not communicating with people in the industry, your career is goign to get stuck in limbo. Bring up that you’re an actor as often as possible. You don’t want to do it in a way that would be irritating or out of place. But if someone asks you what you do for work, don’t be shy. They could have a real golden opportunity for you.

5. Challenge yourself

Being an actor means getting outside of your comfort zone and simulating experiences that you likely would never have. In order to grow as an actor, you need to be willing to take roles that are difficult. These could be characters with a different background from you or ones that have views that are completely unlike yours. Taking the time to really get to know them can help you grown not only as an actor, but also as a person.

If you asked 100 famous actors what success means to them, you might get 100 different answers. You don’t have to become a superstar either. You just need to be putting in the hours and honing your craft. This is an exciting and wonderful journey you’re embarking on, and you need to make the absolute most of it.

The Actors Guide To Authentic Self Promotion

Actors, writers, artists, and creatives of all types have a unique lot in life. As a creative, you are passionate about what you do. You love to perfect your craft, and the hours fly by as you work on the tasks you love so much. However, there comes a time when you have to make money at it! This brings you into the business world, where you will find gigs, network, earn revenue, and have clients. You will still be doing what you love, but in addition you will be balancing the many aspects of business. One large factor when it comes to your business practice that you should definitely be considering is how you are promoting yourself. Promotion is an aspect of your marketing strategy that can not be overlooked. Successful entrepreneurs like Krishen Iyer know about the power behind great marketing. Even if you know the importance of promoting yourself and your abilities as an actor, you might feel hesitant to do so. It can feel awkward to try to promote yourself, especially if you are going about it in way that feels pushy or fake. Instead, stay true to yourself. Here are eight concepts that will help you take your marketing to the next level through authentic self promotion.

1. Watch Your Language

In everyday conversation it is social convention to belittle oneself. This is detrimental to your career. Be mindful about the words that you use, and catch yourself the next time you start to criticize something that you have done just to fit in. Refrain from saying anything at all, or look for something positive to say.

2. Be Enthusiastic

People want to work with enthusiastic workers, who are passionate, open, and fun to spend time with. If you want to promote yourself, one of the best ways is by using your daily life, relationships, and body language as a statement. Actions speak louder than words.

3. Take Classes

Take acting classes in order to network with classmates and instructors.

4. Make A Website

Promote yourself by starting a website that enables you to share with the world. Introduce yourself, tell your story, and share your body of work.

5. Get On Youtube

If you are an actor, act! Shoot some video footage and put it up on youtube. People need to see you performing your skill. Get some fellow actors and actresses together, and film a scene that highlights your abilities.

6. Real World Social Engagements Are Valuable

Online platforms are important, but even a person with a strong online social presence needs to take things into the real world. Treat every social engagement as an opportunity to meet new people, make connections, and share what you are interested in and excited about.

7. Figure Out What Makes You Valuable

You can’t speak highly of yourself if you are internally criticizing and self loathing. Perform some introspection and sift through the fears that you have about self promotion. What skills do you know that you have? What do you honestly love about yourself? Put this into words so that the next time you are in conversation it can be at the tip of your tongue, and come from the heart.

8. Talk Others Up

Speak in a positive nature about other people, even when they are not around. When you genuinely compliment others, people will feel more warmly towards you, and associate your presence with an up-lifting sensation. That is a good thing!

Successful entrepreneurs are often great at doing two things. One is their craft, or their skill. This is a product or service that they have great abilities with. The second thing that entrepreneurs like Krishen Iyer have mastered is marketing. Authentic self promotion will give your marketing plan the boost that it needs!

Randi Glazer on the Similarities Between the Acting and Underwriting Professions

Randi Glazier acting and insurance

As an avid traveler who has spent quite a bit of time abroad as a part of her professional responsibilities, Randi Glazer has had the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life and diverse professional backgrounds. As a result of her extensive professional experience in the underwriting industry, Glazer believes that there are far more similarities between acting and underwriting than most would likely realize.

Whether an acting role is set for the stage or screen, actors must spend an incredible amount of time preparing for a performance. Without thorough preparation, there is simply nothing that can be done at the time of filming — and especially so for a live performance — to hide the fact that the actor has not put in the necessary work to ensure a great performance. The same can be said of the underwriting industry, as there is so much that depends on thorough preparation that a lack thereof can be simply devastating and incredibly difficult to overcome.

Of course, Glazer also notes that experience in the acting industry would not necessarily prepare an individual for a career in the underwriting industry in such a way that they could immediately transition from one to the other, just as a career in underwriting would not represent an ideal path for someone with acting aspirations. While that may be true, there are a number of skills that do in fact translate across these seemingly disparate professions, particularly when it comes to the need to implement consistent and thorough preparatory strategies.

Murziline Parchment Suggests Business Executives Can Benefit From Theatrical Pursuits

The most successful business executives are almost always willing to explore any method that could potentially result in improved business operations, yet it is still fairly uncommon to hear about high-ranking business leaders turning to the arts as a source of inspiration. Those who have done so, however, have reported that their experiences in the theater have indeed proved to be quite beneficial in a number of surprising ways. As Murziline Parchment suggests, the art of acting is so different from an executive’s daily responsibilities that it forces a near-complete change in perspective that spurs creativity and innovation on an almost immediate basis.

While many executives are likely to scoff at such a suggestion and will surely offer a reminder of how little time they have to spare, the benefits of this particular strategy can be experienced in relatively short order. Business leaders certainly do not have to audition for a lead role in a Broadway production; all that is necessary is minor participation via a small role or bit part in a local production. In fact, it is quite likely that simply taking an acting course or practicing with an improv group will yield a significant benefit.

Executives who participate in stage productions or work with experienced actors will likely realize that many of their leadership skills can be applied quite well to the theater, but the true value of the experience is in the discovery of new ways to lead along with the enhanced insight into the unique creative processes involved in acting and theatrical productions. After all, the same qualities that make someone a valued speaker in business meetings are also vital for actors performing on stage: A confident tone projected to the rear of the room is necessary in both pursuits, and both actors and business leaders must be able to simultaneously relate to and engage each individual member of a fairly sizable audience.

Actors are tasked with convincing their audience to adopt a suspension of disbelief for the sake of entertainment, just as executives are tasked with convincing others to feel a strong sense of confidence and trust that the future of the company is in good hands. It is simply the manner in which these tasks are accomplished that differs, so executives who experience a different method for accomplishing the same goal can benefit tremendously from the new perspective they will have gained.

Of course, acting is not the only pursuit outside of the business world that can benefit business executives. According to Murziline Parchment, any artistic pursuit can help in understanding differing perspectives, but it is the improved ability to access a more creative side that seems to be most beneficial to those who hold essential leadership positions. This is due to the fact that leaders often encounter difficult and complicated situations requiring a creative solution. Business leaders who understand how to access their creative side and feel comfortable engaging in deep creative contemplation are simply far more likely to come up with a sound strategy in response to any difficult or complex circumstance.

Artistic and creative endeavors can also help business executives relate to those they are charged with leading. This is especially the case with acting, as this form of expression requires the ability to adopt the mindset of an entirely different person in order to ensure a highly accurate portrayal. While leaders are certainly not expected to give a performance in which they act out scenes featuring an accurate and entertaining portrayal of their employees, being able to consider the unique perspectives of others and the various factors influencing those perspectives can be incredibly valuable, as this makes it much easier to relate to anyone regardless of their respective backgrounds and prior experiences.

While business executives have the kind of responsibilities that demand a great deal of their time, it may be quite wise to invest some of that time to engage in artistic pursuits outside of their leadership role. This kind of pursuit can result in improvements to leadership skills and enhanced work performance, and it is quite likely that many business leaders and executives will also find a great deal of enjoyment in doing so.

Hugo Sebastian Hirsch Offers Advice Regarding Acting and Writing

As a professional writer and blogging consultant, Hugo Sebastian Hirsch is more than familiar with the process involved in any creative endeavor. Hirsch has said that there is a benefit to engaging in diverse creative pursuits, as he believes that a writer can gain quite bit from studying the process involved in preparing for an acting role, just as an actor can benefit from regular writing practice. While it is not necessary for a writer to become fully invested in acting or to pursue acting as a second career, it is important that there is a commitment to understanding the process that is involved in perfecting any art form.

“As a general rule, I try to step away from writing a few times per year just to recharge and refresh,” says Hirsch. “During those periods in which I am not writing, I have found it to be tremendously beneficial to engage in some other pursuit that allows me to express myself creatively in a manner that is different from what I am used to. I have tried painting, sculpting, acting and, most recently, architectural design. I have found that when I return to writing, I am not only refreshed, but I also feel as though I have a new perspective and can approach my craft in a different way than before.”

Hirsch declined to say whether he found himself more suited to one pursuit or another, as his goal was to simply express himself creatively through a new and unique medium. A notoriously process-oriented individual, Hirsch has emphasized that understanding how an art form comes to be is more important to him than the actual final outcome. After acting, Hirsch felt better equipped for writing dialogue, as so much time was spent on ensuring the proper emotion was conveyed through subtle expressions, actions, movements and tones.

“It reminded me that how the dialogue is spoken is just as important as the words that are actually spoken aloud,” recalled Hirsch, who advises all creative types to explore new mediums whenever they have the opporunity. “When I returned to my creative writing, I experimented with all kinds of subtleties in conversations between characters, and I found that the dialogue was most realistic when what was said was in stark contrast to the speaker’s body language, tone and facial expressions, as most people are afraid to be direct in conversation and try to convey what they are really thinking through non-verbal cues.”

The Art of Acting

imagesETF43XTK untitled (79)Many look at acting as just a entertaining movie job but the real actors are truly artists.  The ability to portray an character so that the audience believes the movie is a talent few can muster.  The best actors are born with that talent.  Much like musical prodigies the true actors are able to become the character and draw the audience along with the journey.  The audience get lost in the world created by the artistry and truly is taken for a ride.  In the end the audience is left missing the character created on the screen and wanting more.  Createurs De Luxe is one of those acting firms that can really develop an actors true abilities.

Luke Weil Acting Classes Can Benefit Even Those Not Interested in an Acting Career

Most acting classes are filled with students who eventually wish to pursue a career on stage, in film or on television, but that does not mean that these classes are only beneficial to future actors. According to Luke Weil, the skills learned in acting classes can be applied to a variety of fields, and the benefits of these skills are especially helpful for those interested in becoming a successful entrepreneur or those who wish to succeed in many aspects of business.

This is not to say that businessmen and women should endeavor to become performers, but there are many instances in which the skills needed to perform on a stage or in front of a camera translate quite well to the boardroom while making a presentation or while pitching a business idea to potential financiers. A confident approach is necessary in business, and it is often necessary to utilize the art of persuasion or to express something through non-verbal cues. Acting classes develop these important skills and enable professionals in the business world to be more successful in whatever endeavor they choose to pursue.

Of course, acting classes may help business professionals discover a talent they were unaware existed. In cases such as these, there is certainly nothing wrong with exploring a career in acting. The classes themselves can only help, so there is no risk in taking classes that will either help lead to success in business or even result in a potential career in acting.