A few words before you begin

Of course, there is no single path forward as an actor. You may already be doing some of these things. Others might be ideas you've never considered.

I created this guide to bring together a few simple, practical ways to keep moving once your showreel, photos and acting profiles are in place. It's not about how to audition well or record a self-tape. It's about the work you can do between auditions: putting yourself out there, finding the right people, making connections, maintaining relationships and helping others discover you.

Mats Lindberg

When everything is in place

You've got good photos, your showreel is ready and your casting profiles are up to date. Perhaps you've also sorted out Instagram, LinkedIn and your own website.

You've built a professional acting profile. Good. But that's not the end. That's when the next stage of work begins.

A strong presentation helps when someone finds you. But it doesn't answer the next question: how will the right people find you?

It's easy to fall into waiting mode. Waiting for the next casting call, for your agent, for the phone to ring or for the right role to appear. But an acting career can't be built on waiting alone.

You also need to work on your visibility, relationships and connections. Not by constantly asking people for work, but by staying present, keeping in touch and gradually becoming someone people in the industry recognise.

Don't just look for jobs

Casting platforms matter. You should be on them, keep your profiles current and apply for roles that suit you. But they can't be your entire strategy.

By the time a casting call appears, work on the production has often been underway for quite a while. The production company, producer and director are already involved, and the project has been planned for some time. There are also people in the industry who have worked together before and already know one another.

That doesn't mean the roles have already been cast. It means relationships and familiarity matter.

So start taking an interest in the people behind the productions too. Which companies make the films, series and commercials you'd like to work on? Which directors, producers and casting directors keep appearing? What are they working on now?

When you see a production and think, I could have been right for that, work backwards. Find out who directed it, who produced it, which company was behind it and who handled casting. One project leads to a company. The company leads to people. Those people lead you further.

Build your own contact list

Over the years, you meet more people in the industry than you might think: on shoots, at castings, workshops, screenings and events, through other actors, or on Instagram and LinkedIn. The problem is that we assume we'll remember everyone. We won't.

Create a simple Excel spreadsheet or Google Sheet. Start with people you've already met, then build from there. It doesn't need to be a complicated system.

The list isn't there so you can bombard people with emails. It's your own map of the industry and a way to avoid losing relationships you've already started building. Begin with people you know and take it from there.

Make connections, don't ask for work

Your first meeting doesn't have to be about getting a job. Start by introducing yourself, showing what you do and taking an interest in their work. A genuine connection today may lead to an opportunity tomorrow.

Send a short, personal email or message. Mention something specific you appreciate about their productions, projects or work. Keep it simple, sincere and professional.

The goal is to build a relationship, not sell yourself in your first message. Be professional, friendly and persistent. The best opportunities often come through people who already know who you are.

The phone still works

But don't call fifty production companies asking if they have any roles. Do your research and choose a few that are genuinely relevant to you.

If you do call, a much better question might be:

You might get a name, an email address or information about which casting company they work with.

And when you do meet someone, follow up. A short 'Lovely to meet you' a few days later may be enough. Relationships shouldn't be forced, but sometimes they need a little help to stay alive.

Go where the industry gathers

Not all networking happens in front of a screen. Film festivals, screenings, Q&As, industry breakfasts, seminars, workshops and other film events are places where people actually meet.

You don't have to attend everything, and you certainly don't need to walk around clutching your CV. Go to watch films, listen, talk and be curious.

If you connect with someone, a simple question is: what's the best way to keep in touch? Then add them to your contact list and follow up when it feels natural.

The same principle applies on social media. You don't need to become an influencer or create content every day. But if a director, producer or casting director searches for your name, they should quickly understand who you are and find your work.

Your casting profile, Instagram, LinkedIn, website and showreel don't have to look identical, but they should all feel like the same person.

And when someone becomes interested in you, make their next step easy. One face. One click. That's your opportunity. The less time someone spends searching for your showreel, the better.

Build recognition over time

An agent can open doors, introduce you to people, negotiate and access contacts and information you may not have yourself. A good agent is valuable. But an agent can't carry your entire career.

Keep your material up to date, build relationships and make yourself visible. That makes your agent's job easier too.

Be patient with the relationships you build. Not every connection needs to lead to something today. Someone you meet now may not have a suitable project. In two years, things could be completely different.

That's the difference between 'Who's that?' and 'Oh yes, I recognise him.'

This also applies to other actors. Share relevant posts you're tagged in, support your colleagues and help people in the same community find each other. The industry isn't simply a collection of individuals competing for the same role. It's also made up of people who recommend one another, share tips, reconnect and help each other move forward.

Do a little every week

This doesn't need to become a full-time job. Quite the opposite. If your strategy becomes too big, you risk never putting it into practice. Keep it small and do it regularly.

This could take around an hour a week. But after a year, two new contacts each week add up to more than a hundred names, while you've been keeping in touch and learning more about the people behind productions.

And finally

No contact list guarantees a job. No agent can promise a role, and no showreel can make someone choose you. But you can make it easier for people to find you, understand you, remember you and get in touch.

So don't just sit and wait for the next casting call. Pick up the phone. Send an email. Go out. Meet people. Do the work.

Ciao ciao. Mats Lindberg