Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/904648
52 SAG-AFTRA | Fall 2017 | SAGAFTRA.org new song. Building a huge following or taking the internet by storm with a popular post isn't easy, but everyone with a smartphone or computer has the tools to make it happen. Keep these tips in mind the next time you post, tweet or tag. 1 Create Your Brand Making your social media accounts is the first step to marketing yourself successfully online. When building your online brand, it's important to keep your profiles consistent. Make sure to keep your usernames and handles the same no matter what site you're using, said Ryan Walker (@iamryanwalker), an actor and social media consultant who teaches social media strategy at locals across the country. Walker also advises that members choose a handle that is easy to say and recognizable, such as your name. If you're on a red carpet or at a business meeting and someone asks for your handle, it's best to have one that's simple and memorable, without complicated spellings or characters, he added. It's also important to include your full name, a high-resolution image of yourself (like a headshot) and a clear bio for people to read. 2 Quality Over Quantity Walker stresses the importance of sharing better, high-quality content rather than a large volume of low-quality posts. When creating your own content, try to use a good camera for clearer images. If you're looking to post clips or behind-the-scenes photos from a set or recording session, see if you can use official content, which is likely to have a higher resolution — just make sure to check with producers first and verify what you're allowed to post. What network you're using also affects what type of content you want to post. Currently, the most popular social media network is Instagram, which has 700 million monthly users. It also has the strongest algorithms for getting your content in front of fans and followers, as well as casting professionals, agents and producers. Instagram's algorithm prioritizes high-quality images and favors users who post consistently — every two to four days, said Walker. Keeping your content consistent and strong — without posting too often — helps you get the most bang for your buck. 3 Get Engaged Social media isn't just about creating your content. It's also important to be social — engagement and interaction is key to online success. "Social media allows you to come into contact with people in your industry who you never might have been able to communicate with 10 years ago," said Los Angeles Local Board member and NextGen Performers subcommittee chair Ben Whitehair (@benwhitehair), who teaches social media courses for the Los Angeles Local Conservatory. It's okay to tweet at other users or comment on their posts — many casting professionals, agents, showrunners and writers reply back, which is a great way to build relationships and get to know people. This also allows you to see what people in your industry are talking about, and join the conversation about upcoming projects, breaking news or content collaborations. Plus, it's an easy way to stay in touch with people in your field you already know and help them keep you in mind if a job opens up. 4 Treat Social Media Like Real Life One of the best ways to be successful online is to be yourself SAGAFTRA.org | Fall/Winter 2017 | SAG-AFTRA 52 — it's important to be authentic. When using social media you want to act genuine and sincere. "Everything on social media is about relatability," said Walker. "People can smell when things are being forced down their throats or are being advertised. You want to come off as genuine, relatable, real and honest — that's the best way to grow an organic following." The focus isn't on perfection, but rather, being true to yourself, said Whitehair. "Most [SAG-AFTRA] members are trained in authenticity; that's what acting is. All these core things we learn in our profession are exactly the tools that are useful for communication with other people and building relationships online."