Not too long ago, I opened up a twitter account so I can find other artists and actors. However, I go back and forth with my thoughts about the site. Is it worth the time? For artwork it certainly makes sense. I love following Michael Hussar to see what he is working on. Twitpic certainly makes that very easy. But I wondered about actors. I didn’t get the same vibe with actors that I saw in the art community. After following a few, I noticed that quite a bit of them were simply posting their booking announcements. It was just “me, me, me”, so I stopped following them. I mean, hey, I’m happy for them, don’t get me wrong, I do it too when I have a booking, but it was boring to read something so one-dimensional after a while. I really wanted to find those in the grind of this unpredictable business, engaging with peers, and who were not afraid to say a thing or two about it. In my search I found Alicia Lara. I noticed she had quite a list of followers … and through the site we began communicating and eventually retweeting each other’s info (I wish more actors supported each other’s projects in that way).
Either way, I still continue to question whether or not tweeting (or being on facebook) is fruitful or a waste of time, so I decided to ask her what she thought. I wondered if she had any words of advice, maybe pros and cons … Here is what she said …
I think Twitter and Facebook are now essential tools for actors, and I think many in the industry would agree. I just went to a seminar for marketing myself (as an actor) and one of the main topics was how to use these sites. I got an audition recently that led to a job from someone recommending me on Facebook. I’ve met new friends, I’ve gotten information I need…all while enjoying the interaction.
I view these social media outlets as both personal and professional. I have a personal Facebook page, but I also have a separate fan page that is purely for getting information out about what’s going on in my career. That job I mentioned earlier was gotten through a NY actor who is a friend on Facebook on my personal page, though, so it all definitely intermingles. He’s become a good friend even though we’ve never met in person! That happens on these sites.
I’ve been on Twitter since about March of 2009 and I’ve found that there are mostly pros, not so many cons. But there ARE cons. I approached Twitter (not really having a clue what it was about–a friend got me to join) as a personal thing. Of course I put in my profile that I’m an actress and a writer, but I tried to describe my personality as well. I started writing (they’re called “tweets”–say what you want to say, but make it fit in 140 characters or less) just my thoughts, then I started talking to people, then I formed friendships. You are drawn to certain people–they will reach out to you. Of course I think about acting and writing so that’s what I tweeted about sometimes, and other actors and writers found me. My view on this–I’m not drawn to people who just talk about their careers. I want to know THEM. Not everything, but something about their personalities. I want more of a connection than to feel like they’re always trying to get me to buy something, or go see something of theirs, etc.
I advise not to overshare, though. There is a line. Understand that the whole world is listening–once something is on the internet it’s out there and anyone can find it. So think before you put it on the internet. I had a bad experience with this on Twitter. I tweeted an opinion about a certain person in the industry who had committed a crime and had fled the punishment. Someone found me through that tweet–an unbalanced person. They didn’t make any sense, they tracked me to my Facebook fan page, posted upsetting comments and sent disturbing e-mails to me through my website. They also said on Twitter that I had made a comment that I had not made. It was a real learning experience–if someone goes after you they can say WHATEVER they want and all you can do to defend yourself is deny it. But, really, that describes what can happen to someone who is famous–same thing!
It takes some time to keep current on these sites (especially Twitter.) I’ve found it to be worth it if you don’t get too sucked in. You might want to just check in once or twice a day, converse with a few people, and leave it at that. That’s fine–no need to spend hours on there. It’s a great way to get questions answered. Find people in the industry, experts, such as casting directors, agents, producers, directors, other actors. Ask questions. And, when you have stuff to share, share it! Before you know it you’ll have followers that will be interested to know that you will be seen on that t.v. show, or this commercial, or whatever!
Alicia is currently filming the web series “The Resolve” ( http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1539466/ ) which also has a Facebook page of course( http://www.facebook.com/#/pages/THE-RESOLVE-Series/169309626238?ref=ts )
Alicia’s website: http://www.alicialara.com
Alicia’s Facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Alicia-Lara/32248764522
Follow her on Twitter! @AliciaLaraLA
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