An actor’s website is an investment, not an expense.

It’s important to have a web presence as an actor. Even if you have an agent. Paul Russell, casting director, director, and author of the hit book ACTING: Make It Your Business – How to Avoid Mistakes and Achieve Success as a Working Actor says “…if someone gives me an actor by reference, the first thing I’m going to do is Google. And if that actor’s website doesn’t come up, or if they don’t have anything that comes up within the first five results, I move on to the next actor. It’s vital that an actor have an internet presence.”

Seriously, listen to Paul Russell. A lot of people do. Here’s what they’re saying about his book: “Actors everywhere who are trying to succeed in the business, young or old on stage or on camera, in New York or anywhere in the world, take note: This is your roadmap.” -Bernard Telsey, casting director (Rent, Sex & The City: The Movie, Wicked)

He goes on to mention that the website doesn’t need to be extremely complicated; but it does need to give them a full picture of who you are and what you can do (reels, audio clips, etc.).

I have fantastic experience designing websites that do just that. I typically design Flash websites for actors and other performance artists that showcase a full range of media and photos and give casting directors easy access to you and your work. (And yes, in addition to Flash sites, I also develop CSS/HTML websites as well)

With every website I design I submit fully standards-compliant Sitemaps to Google and all major search engines, so your Google ranking stays hot and you get seen.

If you’re an actor, singer, or other artist looking to build a web presence, contact me at ericmchicago@gmail.com for an estimate. I generally complete artist websites within 2 weeks and I offer the best prices you will find for custom professional web design. Once the design is completed, you only need to pay $4/month for the hosting.

Some of my other services include:

• PDF File creation (containing your headshot and resume) – perfect for email submissions
• Headshot retouching – anything from small fixes to face lifts (you’re the boss)
• Comp cards/business cards/mini-headshot cards

You can visit www.ericmchicago.com to see some examples of my print work (I’m in the process of re-doing the site to include a web portfolio), but for some examples of my recent work please feel free to visit some of my recent artist sites:

• Chrissy Gardner (Singer/Songwriter)
  http://www.chrissygardner.com