Smart Online Marketing for Performers (No Sleaze Required)
🎭 Marketing Yourself Doesn’t Have to Feel Gross
If you’ve ever thought, “I hate marketing myself”—you’re not alone.
As performers, we’re trained to show up boldly onstage but often feel awkward when it comes to showing up online.
But in today’s digital-first world, building a strong online presence is no longer optional—it’s essential. The good news? You can do it authentically, with strategies that feel aligned and natural (not cringey or corporate).
In this post, I’ll walk you through 9 non-slimy marketing tactics every performer should be using in 2025. These are often-overlooked but highly effective tools to help you get seen, remembered, and respected—without selling out or selling your soul.
💻 1. Google Yourself Like a Casting Director
Open a private browser window, type in your name, and hit search.
Ask yourself: If I were a casting director, would I know what I do and how to contact me based on what I see?
If your Instagram pops up before your website—or worse, nothing personal shows at all—it’s time to clean up and claim your digital identity.
📬 2. Upgrade Your Email Game
Still using that old email address from high school? Time to level up.
Create a clean, professional Gmail account that includes your name (e.g., yourname@gmail.com). It builds trust and brand recognition.
📝 3. Clean Up Your Email Signature
Your email signature should be short, clean, and focused. Include:
Your full name
A link to your website
That’s it. No quotes. No clutter.
🌐 4. Own Your Personal Website
Think of your website as your digital storefront.
Buy your domain name (e.g., yourname.com) and make it your professional home base. Include your headshot, resume, reels, contact info, and any press or upcoming work.
Your website doesn’t need to be fancy—just clear, updated, and easy to navigate.
Watch my YouTube video on how to create your performer website super fast and easy here.
🔗 5. Add a Favicon to Your Site
A small but powerful detail: upload a favicon (that tiny icon that shows up in browser tabs). Using your headshot here helps reinforce brand recognition and professionalism.
📱 6. Claim All Your Social Handles (Even If You're Not Using Them)
Even if you’re only active on Instagram and Facebook, it’s wise to claim your username on other major platforms like TikTok, Twitter/X, and Threads.
Don’t forget YouTube even though it’s not social media.
This protects your brand and gives you room to grow if your strategy shifts.
Use the same username across platforms when possible—ideally, your full name or stage name.
📺 7. Optimize Your YouTube Channel
YouTube is an incredible visibility tool for performers.
Here’s how to stand out:
Use a custom channel URL with your name
Upload a professional headshot as your profile picture
Keep your banner and video thumbnails on-brand
Post content regularly—even short, simple videos matter
🌟 8. Focus on Visibility, Not Vanity Metrics
Forget about follower counts. What matters is whether someone can find you and understand who you are within seconds.
Use your real name or a consistent stage name across all platforms. Keep your bios clear. Make it easy for casting directors, collaborators, and fans to connect.
🔁 9. Monitor & Adjust Your Presence
Digital presence isn’t set-it-and-forget-it.
Google yourself monthly. Update your links. Test new strategies. Ask for feedback. Online visibility is a living, evolving part of your career—just like your artistry.
🚀 Want Personalized Help with This?
Feeling overwhelmed trying to update your online presence solo? I offer 1:1 coaching designed to help performers confidently show up onstage and online.
Together, we’ll:
Refresh your digital branding
Strengthen your website and social profiles
Build a career strategy that aligns with your long-term goals
👉 Book a coaching session here
🎁 Free Resource: Build a Better Audition Toolkit
If you’re ready to get serious about booking work, your audition materials need to shine.
Download my free Audition Book Blueprint—a simple, no-fluff resource to organize your rep and show up confidently for submissions.
🎭 Get the Audition Book Blueprint here
💬 Final Thought
Marketing yourself as a performer doesn’t have to feel salesy or sleazy.
It’s about showing up as yourself—clearly, confidently, and consistently—so the right people can find you and say yes.
You don’t need to shout to be seen. You just need to be searchable.
Ashlee Espinosa, MFA is a professional actress and career coach helping performers thrive onstage and off. She brings over two decades of experience and a unique perspective from her bi-coastal lifestyle as a working artist. A former college professor, she now splits her time between performing, coaching, and creating digital resources to support other artists. Follow her on Instagram or check out the Musical Theatre Mentor YouTube channel for weekly career advice.
