When you create your actor website, who are you creating it for? Are you creating it for casting directors? fans? someone else?
If your website is going to be effective, it needs to speak to your target audience, giving them the information they’ve gone there seeking. So, I ask you, “Do you know who your website is being created for?”
Once you know who you’re talking to, you can design a website that speaks to him or her. (Note: Always think in the singular, because only one person will be experiencing your website at a time in the same place. His or her experience will be singular … not part of a group.)
If you are targeting casting directors, keep in mind that these are very busy people. Your website should make their job easier … not more time consuming. Pages that your website should include to do this are:
- A resume page that includes information about your skill sets. If you know how to ride a horse, say so.
- An image gallery that includes head shots, as well as any applicable action shots. This helps them decide if you “look the part.”
- Contact information for your agent and/or manager. That way they know who to send the breakdowns to, request further information or set up a time for your audition.
If your website targets fans, these items are of lesser interest. Here are some suggestions for fan-focused websites:
- Fans want to know what you’re up to. So include a calendar of events you’ll be attending.
- Fans want to feel connected to you. So include social networking sites, a commenting feature, and clips. If you can set up live chats, so much the better.
- Fans want to buy your stuff. So, if you’ve got branded T-shirts, baseball caps and the like, include a shop for them to buy them. Autographed photographs are popular, too, but also include un-autographed photos if your fans will have the opportunity to get it autographed in person at one of your events.
Another thing to think about is what mood do you want to set for your website. If you’ve decided to niche yourself with a certain type of role, then you may want your website to reflect that with its color palette and supplemental images. For example, Bruce Campbell is best known for his campy genre work and his website reflects that. Whereas Kathleen Turner and her website has a more classic image.
Jumping into the creation of your website without knowing your target audience, is like grabbing a bow and arrow and shooting without taking aim. If you hit the target, it was pure luck… and you don’t want to leave the success of your website to luck, do you?
