It’s campaign season. Local elections are big business and I cannot open the mail without revealing a stack of posters, flyers, tri-folds, and campaign guides explaining why I should vote this way or that way on these people, these measures, these propositions. It’s exhausting. But that’s only because I care a lot about this stuff.

Yeah, I’m not the typical voter. I actually vote. In every election. All the time. I read all the literature. I study up on everyone and everything before I enter the booth and use that little ink-blotty thing. Yes, I go in person even though I qualify to vote by mail. I like the process. I think it’s sexy. I think more people need to care a lot more about it all. But, that’s not what this column is about.

It’s about the avalanche of campaign materials that come across my desk this time of year, vs. the amount of campaigning that’s going on the rest of the year, in any given year, but the candidates. But really, the best ones are always campaigning. They are always putting their brand message out into the world. They’re keeping relationships with constituents healthy, not just right before voting commences.

Sort of like the actors who tend to book the most are on the radar of casting directors not just when the breakdown comes out (that’s when the mail is overflowing with campaign materials, most of which are easy to ignore, some of which are down right annoying). They’re on our radar all the time. Not obsessively. Not overwhelmingly so. But just enough that we can agree, “Yeah… that’s an actor I need to care about,” when the time comes to head into the booth.

To further the political theme, check out this excerpt from Self-Management for Actors, crafted by Robin Gwynne:

“Your submission nominates you (agency submissions are like belonging to the right political party, a much stronger nomination). Your headshot seconds the nomination. Your cover letter is your campaign speech. Your resumé and reel vote you into office. Your audition is your term. Callbacks are how you’re doing in the polls. Booking the job is your re-election. Once you’re an incumbent, it’s easier to stay in office. A string of jobs is your political career.”

So, how’s your political career? Are you constantly waiting ’til voting season to put your campaign materials in front of the voters? Or are you staying relevant all year long? Are you waiting for your political party (that agency that reps you) to be the “right” one, getting you through the doors, and otherwise not doing much to be on the radar of those who’ll get you into (and keep you in) office?

Plot out a time of year when nothing seems to be happening. That’s when your goodies will have greater impact, among those voters who are passionate about keeping tabs on the candidates and issues. Oh, and by the way, most casting directors care a lot. Our job depends on knowing those candidates, issues, propositions, and such inside-out.

Don’t wait to rock the vote. Get out there and kiss some babies!

Bonnie Gillespie is living her dreams by helping others figure out how to live theirs. Wanna work with Bon? Start here. Thanks!

Originally published by Actors Access at http://more.showfax.com/columns/avoice/archives/001886.html. Please support the many wonderful resources provided by the Breakdown Services family. This posting is the author’s personal archive.