Shorter is Better – Statistically Speaking

As actors we love a good story so we tell them a lot. As a woman, I know I have the urge to tell all of the minor components that set up the actual point to what it is I really want to say before saying it.  The POINT of it all.  I’m not sure that’s an entirely female quality but I’ve noticed it with my girlfriends where my guy friends seem to get to their point a little faster. I’ve even been told I talk too much.  Whaaaat?  Well now I’m told I write too much.  In fact this first paragraph is not even needed to get to the point of what I’m writing today, but I’m keeping it in as an example!

The point I am trying to make here is that actors talk too much and write too much when submitting to agents and managers.  I’ve seen it over and over and over and over again…and I’m here to tell you that less is more, shorter is better, and reps appreciate brevity in their faster-than-most paced world.

Why is shorter better? Because we live in a short-attention-span Universe these days. Twitter limits us to 140 characters and these days when you watch a video, if you’re not inspired or intrigued in the first few seconds of the video, you’re on to the next.  A demo reel used to be 3 minutes, then two, and now one and a half minutes tops is recommended.  But even better than that are shorter 10 to 15 second clips.  Again why? Because we are all speeding through our day with content flying at us constantly.  It’s all about time, or lack there of.

The statistics are staggering.  Regular people receive close to 100 emails a day, much of it spam, but also messages from people, products and services they actually enjoy.  Yet most of these emails are deleted without them being read.  As an actor you can probably count on triple that number and thus inundated with choices of what class to go to, what online product to buy, where to go to meet industry, plus all of your personal preferences of things and people you like. Delete, delete, delete, mostly not read.

Now imagine you’re an agent.  Really imagine what it must be like to submit actors already on your roster for auditions all day long on your computer and emailing back and forth with casting, on calls pitching, opening mail, answering your personal emails with friends and associates and deal with your own family, AND look at new talent…all clamoring for an agent.  Their day is cluttered.  And I haven’t even mentioned social media yet.  HUGE distraction.

What’s an actor to do to clear through all of that clutter and get attention?

Shorter IS better, so in my next post I’ll give you the guidelines on getting your message across quickly!

By the way, if you’re one of the 15% of people on my email list that opened it up to a partial blog post inside, then one of the 6% of those who clicked on the (read more) link to the entire post, would you do me the honor of being one of the less than 1% of people who will leave a comment below?  Now this should be interesting…

59 replies
  1. Pamela Bowen
    Pamela Bowen says:

    Kudos to you Lisa! You give great insight and have walked the walk. Reinvention and perserverance! You give me hope and inspiration.

    Reply
    • Lisa Gold
      Lisa Gold says:

      Pamela, without you and the other actors out there who read this stuff, there wouldn’t be a reason for me to do any of it. So YOU, inspire me! Thanks so much.

      Reply
  2. Melissa Roth
    Melissa Roth says:

    Lisa, I read all of your posts and find them to be some of the most informative and inspirational. Out of all the newsletters I’ve signed up for over the years I’ve unsubscribed from more than I can count. Yours is a keeper! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Lisa Gold
      Lisa Gold says:

      THANK YOU Melissa! That is the best thing I’ve heard all day…it’ll keep me going and going and going. I’m so glad it’s made and is making a difference for you to read and apply the info. Best of the best to you!

      Reply
  3. ashlie welte
    ashlie welte says:

    The 1% rules! Thank you for this post. I can’t wait for the next one as this seems to be a situation leaving me in continued analysis paralysis . Also, your hair looks great !!

    Reply
    • Lisa Gold
      Lisa Gold says:

      Girrrrrrl, thanks for the hair compliment. Been growing it out back to what makes me feel good. So thankful for our Golden Circle relationship and can’t wait to share with all of the GC members the new program. Working diligently on it so that it answers ALL the right questions. Stay tuned!

      Reply
    • Lisa Gold
      Lisa Gold says:

      Ahhhh, the key to success Tina. Application of the knowledge. Words don’t teach, only experience teaches. Sounds like you’re an avid learner…good on you.

      Reply
  4. Susan Shearer
    Susan Shearer says:

    Hi from your “-1%” Lisa! Thanks for the time and effort you put into helping actors purse their passion. God bless you.

    Reply
  5. Billy Holly
    Billy Holly says:

    Lisa, I VERY strongly agree with your comments. It’s been my experience, as well. I’m having a busy summer…in The Netherlands, but all this applies over here, too, just as it did when I was in NYC.

    Reply
    • Lisa Gold
      Lisa Gold says:

      Hi Billy, I remember you so well from years ago and your wonderful comments then on getting your reps after we met. I’m excited you’re in the Netherlands and I was just there last year. LOVE it! My next project, YourTalentAgent.com, is designed to be helpful to actors worldwide. If you’re there permanently I’ll reach out when I launch later this year. Happy Summer!

      Reply
  6. Suzette Stuebben
    Suzette Stuebben says:

    Hayyyy, Lisa!!!!! It’s Suzette Stuebben from New Orleans! !! Thanks so much for your awesome tips!!!!#actors#actorslife#agents#actoutsidethebox

    Reply
    • Lisa Gold
      Lisa Gold says:

      Hi Suzette, I do miss NOLA. Have a lot of actor friends there. Who knows, I may be back that way again sooner than later. Enjoy and #thanks #very #much.

      Reply
  7. Leonard Zimmerman
    Leonard Zimmerman says:

    …and to add…actors (and online daters) show too many pictures…cause you’re always judged by the worst one. Nice read.

    Reply
  8. Freddie Ganno
    Freddie Ganno says:

    Lisa
    Love the advice! It’s just tooo much but you’ve narrowed it down to what’s important and what gets noticed
    “Less is more”
    Nothing else to be said
    Thanks Beautiful!
    Freddie Ganno

    Reply
  9. Spike Christie
    Spike Christie says:

    Lisa, I read, and “read more” of all of your emails. They are more to the point than you think, and a wealth of information, and a breath of fresh inspiring air!!

    Reply
    • Lisa Gold
      Lisa Gold says:

      My best friend down the street was named Shelly Colman. Did you ever live in Tampa? And yes, short is a cultivated skill. My father, the comedian, used to be the best at getting to the point.

      Reply
  10. Jewel Rouge
    Jewel Rouge says:

    I love reading all your blogs Youve put light where there wasnt for me and I really appreciate your honesty and wisdom,Thank you!

    Reply
    • Lisa Gold
      Lisa Gold says:

      Thank YOU Jewel for being in appreciation…not only of me but of the light. So many in our business focus on the dark…getting out of it. But if I could explain it, pushing against the dark, against “starving artist”, well, I think you get it, it doesn’t work. We must go forward, never against. We must seek the light, not wish the dark wasn’t there. Too esoteric? Not for you!

      Reply
  11. Callie Harlan
    Callie Harlan says:

    Are we still 1% after this post? ?
    Thanks for a great read! Been subscribed for over 6 years. I got my first rep via one of your parties years ago in NYC. Thanks for all the advice!

    Reply
    • Lisa Gold
      Lisa Gold says:

      Yeah, Yeah, Yeah! So happy (really happy) that you have a rep and that you’re a reader/ACTion oriented actor still doing what you love and in the Act Outside the Box community. This is truly what I live for. #grateful (cliche and true)

      Reply
  12. Kelsa Kinsly
    Kelsa Kinsly says:

    Hey Lisa…. Read the whole thing! It’s true, I don’t read most of the stuff that comes my way, I do read your’s though. Always, not just this time…..but this might be the 1st time I’ve ever replied.Your articles are always informative, even for an old timer like me. What are you going to do now? Where are you, are you still in LA?

    Reply
    • Lisa Gold
      Lisa Gold says:

      Kelsa you make my heart sing. Not because you replied but because “we’re in the same boat”. That’s what I love about alignment. Yes, I’m in LA and about to do my first live workshop here in a long time. Hope you’ll attend. And so ever grateful you’re a reader of my little blog advice for creatives!

      Reply
    • Lisa Gold
      Lisa Gold says:

      Marie, I’m glad you’ve seen the shorter is better result. I still have “trouble” saying what I want to say succinctly. It’s an on-going practice!

      Reply
  13. Logan Hunt
    Logan Hunt says:

    Less than 1% lol, love it. Here you go! Great article Lisa. I agree that shorter is better. I tend to carry on a little in my submission emails, so it’s good to read this and be reminded that less is best.

    Reply
    • Lisa Gold
      Lisa Gold says:

      Wonderful Logan, yep it’s all about time and for some reason everyone is always in such a hurry. The best things in life take time, like good wine, great relationships and something not PG rated I won’t write here!

      Reply

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