After 9 Months on the Road, Here Are 5 Things I Learned About Actors and Social Media
If you're new here, a little context...
At the end of October, my family and I packed up our fifth wheel RV, hitched it to our truck, and headed out on what became an 9-month journey across the United States.
It started with a workshop in New York City:
(New York City: Kicking off the tour at Maggie Flanigan Studio)
Then we headed south.
Over the next 9 months, we traveled through more than 30 states, visited some incredible places, and met actors from coast to coast.
(This is the actual map we hung on the wall- every number was a stop- 61 total)
At the same time, I continued coaching actors, leading my students weekly in Tech Savvy Actors trainings and Q & As, and teaching in-person workshops for acting studios, universities, SAG-AFTRA locals, and industry organizations across the country.
That gave me a front-row seat to the questions, frustrations, and challenges actors are facing right now with their social media and no matter where I went, the same themes kept showing up.
Here are the 5 biggest things I learned about actors and their social media:
1. Most actors don't need more information. They need a plan.
One thing became very clear during this trip:
Most actors aren't struggling because they lack information.
They've watched my Youtube videos.
Listened to podcasts.
Saved posts.
Read articles.
Many have consumed more social media advice than they could ever implement. Yet they're still asking questions like:
"What should I post?"
"Is my profile working?"
"How do I grow an audience?"
The problem usually isn't a lack of information. It's a lack of clarity.
The actors making the most progress weren't necessarily learning more. They were creating a plan they trusted and taking action on it.
From left to right: Dallas, Texas • SAG-AFTRA Foundation (Los Angeles) • SAG-AFTRA Albuquerque, NM
2. The actors who make the most progress ask questions.
One thing I noticed over and over again on this trip was that the actors making the most progress weren't necessarily the ones with the most experience, the biggest credits, or even the largest social media followings. They were the ones who stayed curious.
Some actors attended workshops in multiple cities so they could implement, tweak and get my feedback. Others showed up to Q & As month after month in my Tech Savvy Actor membership. Some booked coaching sessions, implemented what we discussed, and came back with new questions.
They weren't looking for a magic overnight solution. They were looking for feedback.
The actors who grow the fastest aren't usually the ones trying to figure everything out on their own. They're the ones willing to ask questions, make adjustments, and keep moving forward.
From left to right: SAG-AFTRA Kansas City • Finally meeting Tracy Lindley ("LinkedIn for Actors") in person after years of connecting online • SAG-AFTRA St. Louis
3. Consistency gets easier when you have a system.
On travel days the last 9 months my husband and I used the same checklist for our fifth wheel:
Every cabinet.
Every slide.
Every latch.
Every cord.
We weren’t RV experts…we were learning. We used this checklist because forgetting one thing could create a very bad day.
For more than 50 stops, we followed that checklist over and over again. Eventually, I realized we barely needed it anymore. The process had become second nature.
Social media works the same way.
The actors who post consistently aren't necessarily more motivated than everyone else. They simply have a system.
A way to collect ideas.
A plan for what to post.
A process they can repeat even when life gets busy.
Consistency isn't about willpower. It's about creating habits that make showing up easier.
From coast to coast: SAG-AFTRA Foundation Los Angeles • SAG-AFTRA Chicago
4. Most actors are closer than they think.
I can't tell you how many times an actor would show me their profile and immediately start apologizing for it.
"I know it's a mess."
"I haven't posted in forever."
“I can’t seem to get any traction with my posts.”
Then we'd spend a few minutes looking at their profile together realizing they simply needed:
A stronger first impression.
A clearer content strategy.
A better understanding of what was already resonating with their audience.
And suddenly things didn't feel nearly as overwhelming.
Sometimes the answer wasn't creating more content.
It was creating more of the right content.
Most actors don't need to start over.
They don't need to reinvent themselves.
They don't need to become influencers.
Often they just need clarity, direction, and a few strategic adjustments.
Los Angeles: A wonderful workshop at Scott Sedita Studios and a special Tech Savvy Actors meetup with members I've known online for years.
5. Personality is still the most underrated marketing tool actors have.
After teaching workshops and talking with actors across the country, this lesson became impossible to ignore.
The actors I remembered most weren't always the ones with the biggest credits. They were the ones I could describe.
The actor who’s obsessed with all things musical theatre.
The actor who coaches kids.
The actor who's obsessed with history.
The actor/mom trying to “balance” everything.
The actor who shares what life is really like on set.
The more conversations I had, the more convinced I became that people connect with people…not resumes.
Casting directors can find your credits on IMDb.
They can see your headshots on your casting profiles.
What social media gives you is something different. It gives people a chance to get to know the person behind the headshot.
Your perspective.
Your interests.
Your personality.
Your unique story.
The strongest social media accounts I saw weren't trying to impress people. They were helping people feel connected to the human being behind the profile.
From left to right: San Francisco workshop • Phoenix workshop
Before I sign off, I want to say thank you 🙏
One of the greatest gifts of this trip was getting to meet so many of you in person.
After years of seeing your names in my inbox, on social media, in Tech Savvy Actors, and on Zoom screens, I finally had the chance to give you a hug, hear your story, and learn more about your journey.
Some of you attended workshops. Some of you drove long distances just to say hello. Some of you shared how long you've been following my work. And many of you trusted me with your questions, your frustrations, your goals, and your dreams.
Those conversations meant more to me than you'll ever know.
This trip reminded me that while social media can help us connect online, there's something incredibly special about meeting in person.
You made this adventure unforgettable, and you reminded me why I love doing this work so much.
Until the next in-person workshop…
I will see you on social,
P.S. I wish I could include photos from every workshop, Tech Savvy Actors meetup, coaching session, and chance encounter along the way, but this would quickly become the longest blog post in internet history. 😊 Just know that every conversation, question, hug, selfie, and story made this journey even more meaningful. Thank you.
P.P.S. I'd be remiss if I didn't thank my two favorite travel companions.
This 9-month adventure wouldn't have been possible without my husband, Philip, and my daughter, Tallulah. They helped set up workshops, greeted attendees, handed out books, explored countless cities and national parks with me, and somehow managed to make 61 stops feel like home. Thank you both for making this journey one of the greatest adventures of my life 💛
