Tips to turn your new industry contact into a genuine, career-boosting relationship.
In my previous article, we tackled that ’icky’ feeling around networking and started building your authentic, system-based strategy. You prepped with purpose, wrangled your contacts into the all-important contacts tracker, and (hopefully!) sent that first crucial follow-up – the one that actually reflected you and the real conversation you had. High five!
One email, however great, is just planting a seed. Real relationships – the kind that actually fuel your career – need watering. Actors who build lasting careers understand this: they don’t just show up once and hope for the best. They make nurturing connections a consistent part of their work, staying top-of-mind so when the perfect opportunity pops up, their name is right there.
So, how do you keep those connections warm without feeling like a pest? How do you turn initial contact into genuine, career-boosting relationships? Let’s dive into the long game.
Stay Visible (Without Being Annoying)
After that first follow-up, most actors either vanish like ninjas or start emailing way too much. Neither works. If they don’t hear from you, they will likely forget you. If you bombard them, you become that actor.
The secret? Balanced visibility. You need strategic, light-touch ways to pop onto their radar just enough.
Social media can be your friend here – if you use it strategically. Forget trying to be everywhere. Pick the platform(s) you actually use and enjoy, where your target industry folks hang out. When you comment, ditch the generic “Great post!” – it adds zero value. Think like an improviser using “Yes, and…” for example:
- Yes: Acknowledge their post genuinely (“Loved this perspective on X…”)
- And: Add your value (“…it reminded me of this article Y” or “Curious how you handle Z?”)
See the difference? You’re not just liking – you’re engaging. You’re showing up as a thoughtful peer, not just a fan.
The Follow-Up to the Follow-Up (Handling the Dreaded Silence)
You sent your brilliant, authentic follow-up…and got crickets. Nada. What now?
First: Don’t panic! Silence rarely means, “Get lost.” It usually means, “Whoops, totally meant to reply, got buried in emails/life/casting chaos.” Your message is likely sitting under a pile of others.
So, when and how do you send the gentle nudge?
- Timing is Key: Give it breathing room. Generally, wait two to three weeks after your last unanswered email before sending a gentle nudge. (Exception: If something genuinely relevant pops up sooner – you booked something, saw relevant news – reach out then). But please, don’t follow up after just a few days. A helpful tip: To provide context without pressure, you can forward your original email. Just be sure to give it a new subject line and add a fresh, brief note at the top – think of it as an ‘FYI’ to help their memory, not a way to pressure them or make them feel bad.
- Your Game Plan: Your goal is not to guilt-trip them into replying. It’s to add value and gently remind them you exist in a positive way. Think: “How can I be helpful or interesting to them right now?”
- Add Specific Value (Use Your Notes): Generic offers often fall flat, so dig into your tracker notes. Share those Mallorca tips if they mentioned travel, recommend that dog trainer if you talked about pets, or pass along an article related directly to your previous conversation. This proves you listened and makes your outreach stand out. (This also gives you a natural reason to check back in later: “How was the trip? Did you try any hidden beaches?”)
- Share Relevant Goodies (Check your Tracker): “Remember we talked about loving rescue dogs? Came across this amazing local trainer…” or “Based on our chat about [Shared Interest/Challenge], I thought of this [Book/Podcast/Resource] you might find useful/enjoy.”
- Connect the Dots and Add Value: “Remember our chat about [topic]? This article ([Link]) touches on that. There’s a point about [X] that really clicked with your take on [Y]. Curious what you think?”
This value-first approach keeps things positive, professional, and makes you memorable for the right reasons.
Build Long-Term Relationships (Make it a Habit, Not a Hope)
Let’s be real: the most successful actors treat relationship-building like a marathon, not a sprint; they only run when they desperately need a gig. You build relationships before you need them through consistency.
How do you make consistency happen? You schedule it. Put it in your calendar like an audition or your survival job. Non-negotiable. Try this:
- Daily Dose (15-20 mins): Quick social media engagement, fire off a congrats note, share a relevant link. Micro-actions add up.
- Weekly Deep Dive: Block time for researching new contacts or planning more thoughtful outreach emails.
A simple system you can try is the ’3-per-day rule’ (or adapt it weekly if that works best for you). Reach out to one new contact and two existing contacts every day/week. Sounds small? Do the maths – that’s potentially hundreds of warm touchpoints a year, keeping your network alive and growing.
Play the Long Game
Building a sustainable acting career isn’t just about nailing the audition, it’s about building the relationships that get you auditions. By and committing to consistent, authentic nurturing, you’re turning networking from something dreadful into a powerful, manageable strategy.
Stay visible (thoughtfully), add genuine value, make connection a habit and always, always bring your unique self to the table. That’s how you build relationships that count, create opportunities, and build a career that feels good. You’ve got this!
Meet Anne Alexander-Sieder: actor, career coach, founder of Act Bold and host of its podcast. After stepping away from the industry for 16 years to focus on family, Anne made a bold return to acting at 47, with no current showreel or industry contacts, and built a successful international career. She’s booked roles with top companies like Netflix, A24, and more. Driven by her own journey, Anne created Act Bold and programs like ‘Get Better Roles’ to help actors bypass the confusion and struggle, so they don’t have to navigate the industry alone. Her mission is clear: to empower actors to take control, transform connections into opportunities, and build sustainable, thriving careers.
Ready to turn this system into consistent action? My free 5-day challenge, Follow Up or Fade Out, runs April 21-25 and is designed to give you the structure and support to do exactly that. Get daily guidance, actionable steps, and the support you need to turn these concepts into career-building habits (and don’t worry if you can’t make it live – everything’s recorded!). Learn more and join the free challenge.
