Take The “Work” Out Of Networking - The Importance Of A Polished Stage 32 Profile

It’s the tedious but oh-so-necessary maintenance of being in this industry: online presentation. Just as we once toiled over the formatting and tone of a resume and cover letter, so now must we polish our profiles. Selling ourselves can be exhausting, but look at it this way - your Stage 32 profile is your invitation to play! We all love what we do, and we love meeting people that make the experience magical. Here’s your chance to set the tone for your ideal-project-made-real! So, pour your favorite drink, have a seat, and let’s get to work!

Before you attend another networking event - especially if it’s Introduce Yourself Weekend, our monthly online event (which is happening right now!) to mix and mingle with over 1,000,000 film, television, and digital media professionals around the world - shape up your calling card! No disrespect, of course. You may have worked hard to have a stunning picture or manicured links, but maybe it’s been a year since you last updated your bio section. Time to prune those hedges!

Your Stage 32 profile tells potential connections the most important things they need to know to determine if they should welcome you into their network or stride on by. If you only remember three guiding principles as you review your profile, consider: 1) how easy is it for people to find you? 2) Is your value clear? 3) In what capacity will they likely reach out to you? A casting director once told me she worked by a “three-click rule” - if it took her more than three clicks to find what she was looking for, then she’d move on. Today’s blog will make that “yes” a little bit easier!

Let’s take a moment to highlight each section’s importance and how best to fill each out to maximize your impact!

For a video tutorial, click on the below image or click HERE!

The Bare Bones

The essential components requested for your profile begin with name, title, location, and occupation. These are the baseline requirements for your profile because you can search for members based on these alone. Please use your given name or the name you use in your IMDb credits. Using a company name is against Stage 32 policy, and quite frankly, it doesn’t make sense since the title includes the company you currently work for/run (i.e., “Frank’s G&E LLC. is a Manager at Frank’s G&E LLC.” doesn’t make sense but “Frank Smith is a Manager at Frank’s G&E LLC” does). Also, please note that “title” indicates what role you are presently employed in, and “occupation” means the positions you could be hired for right now. This is especially important because every networking opportunity almost always includes those two questions - what is it you are doing for work and what would you like to be doing for work?

When it comes to location, don’t be afraid to be specific! If you’re looking to connect with local members, then you could get a better response from “Silver Spring, MD” instead of “Washington, D.C.”. You can always clarify where you can work in your bio, on your resume, or on your website. Similarly, feel free to list multiple occupations. If you are both an on-screen actor and a voice actor, why not list both? Just keep it limited to what you do now. If you used to do stage management ten years ago, but now you only want to be a theatre journalist, then save that past experience for your bio.

Since we’re still talking about your profile basics, I’d like to take a moment to reinforce the importance of a profile picture. First of all, have one and ideally a professional one. It’s challenging to build trust with people virtually as it is, but it is nearly impossible if people don’t see an effort to try to earn that trust. If you choose to use an avatar, logo, or icon instead, just be sure it says something about you. Networking is about building relationships. We don’t want to relate to your company. We want to connect with you. Once we can relate to you, then there is a chance we’ll want to work on a project with you, but one cannot precede the other.

As for what kind of photo to use? High quality, shows your face and personality and ideally supports your brand. If you are a director of photography, I would expect a picture with the camera you like using in your hand. If you are a model or on-screen talent, I expect a professional headshot or a glam shot that shows off your best “character.”

As Stage 32 member Gary Craig once wrote, “If you’re portraying yourself as an actor, and an agent, producer, or casting agent goes to your page, and they see a crappy picture of you sitting in your living room a million miles away from the camera, what does that tell them? It tells them that you’re not professional, and they say “next.” In this day and age of technology, there is absolutely no excuse for that. If you can’t afford professional pictures, EVERYONE has a friend that has a good camera. Go out, and shoot a couple of hundred shots, a handful will probably be acceptable.”

Thanks, Gary! Too right! This is a visual medium, after all, so make sure you appeal to connections visually.

If you’re not sure how to build your brand, we have an excellent webinar on How to Build Your Online Brand as an Actor or, for those behind the camera, The Art of Networking to Build Your Brand or for producers, How to Establish Yourself as a Brand. Not quite what you were looking for? You can actually search the Education section of Stage 32 as well - just enter “brand” or “branding” in the box that reads “Search all education.”

Inviting Conversations With Your Bio

Speaking of your brand, let’s talk about your message! Since you’ve likely never spoken to these members before, what would you like them to ask you about? And trust me, they will ask. Like a virtual name badge at a convention, they will use what they can see on your profile to start a conversation. It’s less about filling them in on your background (you’ve got a credits section and education section for that) and more about creating talking points on what is most important to you. So, what should you include in your bio? Just enough for them to want to reach out to you.

As the most free-form entry of your profile, the structured answer is: what you’ve done (past generally), what you’re doing (present, briefly), what you’d like to be doing (future, clearly and concisely), and who you’d like to meet to help you move forward. Often a missing component is also “why you.” If you’re a director, what separates you from other directors? Sometimes selling yourself goes both ways - stipulate what you offer should you join their project, but give them an idea of what they can expect should they join your mission as well. Remember, if the information is already somewhere else on the profile, there’s no need to mention it in the bio. Keep it brief!

Why not take from the experts? I highly recommend reading through Stage 32 member CJ Walley’s bio as a great example of owning his mission while offering his services. With over one million members worldwide, there are many, many more examples of engaging bios. Why not make it part of your process during our Introduce Yourself Weekends? Read posts, then read their profile bios, and respond to the post using the information you gathered from both!

Coordinate Your Profile Link

Before you scroll down, check to the far right. There is a section that says, “This Is Your Profile Link.” Since your profile works in a similar capacity as LinkedIn, StaffMeUp, or Backstage, it should be easy to navigate to, you can similarly customize your Stage 32’s link extension. I chose "KRoss" as that is how most people know me.

Otherwise, it defaults to a random number, but why not make it match another social media handle? This is a fantastic opportunity to show brand cohesion. This business is incredibly fast-paced, so the easier it is for profile visitors to find you, the more likely they are to engage with you to do business.

A Note on Unique Traits and Physical Attributes

You are under no obligation to fill out this portion. Your physical details are only beneficial for on-screen talent. This is not a dating site, so no one needs to know this information unless you intend to be seen on screen and you want to make it easier for casting directors to find the information.

PHOTOS: Sourced from ALL Posts

This is a great place to add additional headshots, film posters, or other promotional or inspirational images. PLEASE NOTE: If you attach an image to a comment or a post, it will show up on your profile. The only instance where it does not attach to your profile is if you include the web link in a post’s text box. The attached photos will automatically update with any posts you make in the lounges, so be mindful of how you post.

VIDEOS: Links for Posts or Attached to Profile

Videos can also be directly attached to posts but not to comments. Similarly, they will be made available on your profile once posted. Videos are separate from Links so you can make your reels, samples, or completed projects readily available for any Stage 32 members to review by uploading them to your profile or posting them in a lounge. This is fantastic if you wish to receive feedback on your work or increase your work’s reach.

LINKS: Connect the Dots

Websites, blog posts, social media - you can absolutely use your Stage 32 profile to help lead connections to your central hub. Just be sure you have the full link and click it once posted to ensure it is active and correct. Sometimes, members will add the @handle_name where the hyperlink goes, and it’s not enough for an active link.

LOGLINES: The Screenwriter’s Goldmine

This is a genuinely advantageous feature for feedback, promotion, and a universal invitation to collaborate. Again, keep in mind that people will ask about it if you post it, so be prepared for those next steps. You do have the option to keep the logline private. Do you have a script draft, or is it still in treatment form? Are you looking for feedback, or are you ready to start pitching it? A good indication that you’re ready to start pitching your script is if you also have a poster and budget range attached to the logline. Complete the package by posting a copy of the script! Of course, we recommend copywriting any scripts before posting them publicly.

Not yet confident with your logline? Why not submit your script for Coverage with an Industry Reader, which includes a logline by the reader? Don’t feel like a random reader would understand your project? Why not choose an executive specializing in your genre to review your script with Studio Level Coverage, available for both features and television pilots. Once you have peer feedback and a professional revamp, you’ll be ready to post your screenplay!

Rapid-Fire Wrap-Up

CREDITS: Don’t want to pay for IMDb Pro? List your credits here! Also, if you don’t want to risk the “three-click” rule, then posting your past credits here helps to inform visitors without turning them away with a lack of sufficient information.

Awards: Time to show off! You could list your awards and achievements in your bio, but you risk making it too long and not as engaging. Take a moment to qualify the success of your credits here!

Education: Did you know that by listing your previous schools, it creates a hyperlink to other Stage 32 members who also claim the same alumni status? What an easy way to connect and network! You can also search the most-attended schools of Stage 32 members by clicking here.

Make Upkeep A Scheduled Event

Update your Stage 32 profile regularly! I would suggest putting a calendar event once a quarter to review and update any information: credits, links to work, new information in the bio, or even a new profile picture. Don’t forget to add a notification so the event doesn’t fly by unnoticed!

Have you finished your drink already? How is that profile shaping up? It’s like inviting over friends after you’ve cleaned, isn’t it? Comfortable, welcoming, and fully present for the next steps. Comment below with what you updated and invite others to visit! Meet someone cool? Share any outstanding bios you’ve come across as well!

If you're interested in learning about how to update and use your profile page on the Stage 32 app to its fullest potential, be sure to check out my recent blog, Continue the Conversation on the Stage 32 App!

For more great information on navigating Introduce Yourself Weekend and Stage 32, be sure to check out the following blog posts:

Navigating Stage 32 For Your Best Experience

Navigating Stage 32's Introduce Yourself Weekend

Keeping Up The Momentum From Introduce Yourself Weekend

Have a great Introduce Yourself Weekend, and Happy Networking!

Let's hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Got an idea for a post? Or have you collaborated with Stage 32 members to create a project? We'd love to hear about it. Email Emily at blog@stage32.com and let's get your post published!

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