Thread: When applying to a promoter...

Originally Posted by Emerald_Ace

I agree, this is a really useful thread... just out of curiosity though, when promotors say to send a non-performance shot, is it better to send a publicity shot of the act you are touting or just a standard pic?

We got told at college that a Z-Card is the best thing to send so I usually attach one to my CV.

A Z Card is an A4 card with your main picture on the front (usually a head and shoulder shot) and three or four smaller pictures on the back, a mix of performance and studio shots

Ooh, that sounds super... thanks hunny, will have to get one knocked up!

and if applying to a few promoters at once is it better to send emails separately so that they don't know how many others you are applying to?

Originally Posted by NaraTaylorQueenOfTheNight

and if applying to a few promoters at once is it better to send emails separately so that they don't know how many others you are applying to?

Speaking for myself, if I receive an application in the form of a mass mail out, I delete it immediately. If the performer can't take the time to be personal then I'm not interested. Always try to get the name of the promoter/agent you are contacting; it's only good manners.
Also, check to make sure that the agent (if it is an agency) accepts unsolicited applications. We at RwP Entertainment only open our books for two months once a year and only take on performers we've seen live. In fact, the majority of performers on our books were invited.

Thanks for the tips guys!

~Muse

"and if applying to a few promoters at once is it better to send emails separately so that they don't know how many others you are applying to?"

Seperately and personalised with the promoters name in the email would be ideal but if you do have to send a mass email I would suggest you Bcc all the names as then no recipient can see who else it has gone to.

Originally Posted by Ainslie Adams

If you do have to send a mass email I would suggest you Bcc all the names as then no recipient can see who else it has gone to.

This is a sure fire way to ensure that your application gets binned.

Originally Posted by James

This is a sure fire way to ensure that your application gets binned.

I have never done that myself...and don't see why you would seeing as each application should be personalised for each show you're putting your hand up for. But just suggested it in case there are some instances where you do send something to multiple people that I havent yet come across.

As James said, this will get it fired straight into the bin. E-mail junk filters alone often look for un-addressed e-mails. If you BCC everyone, it hits that slot. Also, if sending a covering note on your e-mail, it should be tailored to the show. Sending out a job lot e-mail will tailor it to none of them, and therefore probably get you none of them.

If you ever find yourself in the situation of having to send out a mass e-mail (and I can't imagine why you ever would) then simply don't bother. An e-mail only takes 5 minutes to put together, and even at peak times I don't think you're ever going to have to send out more than half a dozen applications in one go. So that's 30 minutes out of your life to individualise your e-mails.

If the show is worth doing, and you really want to appear in it, it's worth 30 minutes of your life to do it properly.

yeah, im in full agreement. the only reason to send a bulk application would be if you are just hammering everyone with the same info, and that isnt going to get you any bookings. if i get an email where im in the BCC section then i dont bother putting them in for the show as its unlikely they have read my casting call properly

when you apply for a show you should always apply quoting the date and location of the show you are applying for and where you heard about it

dont get me wrong, i do alot of copy and paste in my applications, as alot of the info is the same, and just change the important info, but i would never dream of mass mailing people. x