Tuesday, August 16, 2011

ARTICLE: Are You Working Hard Enough? Really?

Not easy to build.
Last month, I wrote an exclusive article for our TLTaccess.com Members about burnout - the inevitable result of too much stress and working at a level-ten frenzy. This month, I want to swing to the other side of the pendulum and ask you, “Are you really working hard enough?”

I think we actors can easily point to the trials and tribulations of trying to make it in show-business and come up with a myriad of reasons (excuses) why our careers aren’t moving forward. “It’s tough.” “I don’t have the money for classes/headshots/coaching.” “If I only knew the right people.” “If only my agent sent me in more, or I had a better agent.” And so on…

Guys, it is very tough to be an actor. A lot of gurus say that if you can do any other job – do it. Well, I say bull**** to that. Rather than bail on your dreams because you can, you should tighten your belt, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to beat the hell out of any challenges that dare to take you on.

Whether it’s money, time, agent issues or whatever, there is a solution that someone has discovered. You are not the first actor to wish they had better contacts or better reps. Your challenges are not unique to you, so, what makes YOU different from the thousands of working actors?

You’re not working hard enough, or you’re not working smart enough.

Now, before you go crazy on me, please note that the keyword there is enough. You may be working very hard and very smart, but it may not be enough. Enough is a relative term, and so you have to decide what’s enough for you. A 19-year-old gorgeous blond model who is the niece of a famous director is going to have a different value for the term “enough” than you might have. But the principle remains the same: If you’re going to be a successful actor, you have to figure out what it’s going to take, and then do ENOUGH OF IT!

Honestly guys, this is a big subject, because every actor’s journey is different, so I can’t point to a checklist of actions and wash my hands of you. If you’re struggling, stop trying to figure it out on your own. Get connected to a trusted group of actors or industry professionals who aren’t afraid to tell you you’re slacking off. Even better, schedule a Career Consultation with Amy locally or via Skype. Whatever you do, do it NOW. Like, right now, today, in the moment, because this is your dream we’re talking about! It’s you vs. the world, and only one of you gets to walk away victorious.

Time to roll up your sleeves.




Justin Turner + Amy Lyndon 
The Lyndon Technique
Marketing Director
http://www.TLTaccess.com - Download your FREE 4-Week Booking Kit
818-760-8501 - Call to schedule your Career Consultation

Sunday, August 7, 2011

ARTICLE: Can You Be Found?

Waldo wants to know where the heck are YOU?
Did you know that we live in a time where technology has almost rendered us unreachable? How do I know this? Well, try filling in for the people that work at The Lyndon Technique! Every time I take over the jobs of my associates - Michelle, Valerie and Justin - and call clients or potential clients back, it becomes an utter frustrating event.  And I thought calling the DMV was bad!

Are you reachable? Can you be found? Do you really think that an industry professional will stay interested if they have to track you down? How many job opportunities have you lost because you're hard to reach? The problem with that question is that you have no idea. It's hard enough to get opportunities in this business. Imagine if it was your agent, manager, producer, director or someone calling to book you.

I thought I'd compile a list of my eye opening experience when trying to call:

Mailbox full, sitting on hold listening to rap music, difficult to understand outgoing message, a wacky or 'too cool for school' outgoing message, a return call that's garbled because of a bad connection, no message service, answering the call like you just got out of bed or are hung over, a child or someone in the house answering your phone and you're nowhere to be found, a disconnected number with no forwarding number and a phone that picks up and then goes dead. I'm sure I've missed a couple, but you get the picture.

Your business begins at the front desk. Your phone and the way you answer the phone is the front desk. Whoever is at the "front desk" sets the first impression of your company. Make it easy on the people who need to get a hold of you. Run your business like a true business. Make people feel like they want to do business with you because you make their lives easier.

Here to help you guys. WHY? Because, I am YOU!



Cheers!
Amy Lyndon
CEO - The Lyndon Technique
http://thelyndontechnique.com
http://tltaccess.com - Download your FREE 4-Week Booking Kit!
http://www.imdb.me/amylyndon
818 760 8501

BOOKINGS for July 2011

The following clients of Amy's made July a big win for themselves! Check out previous months and then start your own success story by visiting www.LyndonTechnique.com


ALL THESE BOOKINGS FOR JULY!

Nadine Velazquez BOOKED a HUGE RECURRING GUEST STAR on HART OF DIXIE!

Justin Tinucci Booked the DISNEY Interstitial Series OUR TAKE and a Supporting Role in THE MUPPETS MOVIE!

Jennie Kamin Booked a Supporting Role in the Feature Film ROSWELL FM!

Lisa Gershuny Booked a Co-Star in BODY OF PROOF!

Marguerite Insolia Booked a Lead in the Feature Film FOXFUR, a Starring Role in the Film THE NIGHT BEFORE THE WEDDING and a Lead in the Feature Film HOLIDAY ROAD!

Sabrina Revelle Booked a Lead in the Feature Film BACK THEN and the Lead in the Film JUST ONE LOOK!

Corinne Spicer Booked a Supporting Role in the Feature Film GHOUL SCOUT ZOMBIE MASSACRE!

Mike Pfaff Booked a Series Regular in Comedic Untitled Pilot for Paramount and Starring Role in UH OH UFO for Funnyordie!

Maria Fagan Booked a Guest Star in WORLD'S MOST ASTONISHING NEWS!

Jodi Skeris Booked a National PROGRESSIVE Commercial!

Alton Willoughby Booked a Supporting Role in the Feature Film KILLING FRISCO!

Lauryn Story Booked a National BLUE CROSS ANTHEM Commercial!

Irina Skaya Booked a Supporting Role in the Feature Film DEATH OF THE SHEIK!

Dan Wiley Booked a Recurring 8 Arc Guest Lead in a Web Series!

Duane Avery Booked a Lead in the Film SINGULARITY!

Joshua and Dakota Bales Booked Lead Roles in an ABC Feature Film!

Sara Castro Booked the Series Lead in the Pilot HACIENDA HEIGHTS!

Ayesha Madison Booked a Guest Star in the Web Series THIS INDIE THING!

Brandon Killham Booked a National JIMMY DEAN Commercial!

Shirley Burns Booked a Supporting Role in the Film CYNTHIA UPSHAW!

Mariangela Pagan Booked a Supporting Role in the Feature Film THE MUPPET MOVIE!

Natalia Simone Booked a Promo for PHINEAS & FERB!

Anne Apra Booked a Lead in the Film VENOM!

Keevie Smith Booked a SIMMS VIDEO GAME Commercial!