5 Ways Acting School Prepared Me for a Career in Marketing
Whenever someone asks about my background or how I found my way into marketing, there’s always a bit of hesitation before I admit the truth…
I actually attended acting school.
And I don't just mean a casual dip into acting classes. I went full conservatory-mode.
It's not your usual journey. But what started as a passion with storytelling in the performing arts and filmmaking eventually landed me in the world of branding and marketing.
Over time though, I've realized there's a funny kind of symmetry between acting and marketing that I never expected.
Given that both fields revolve around the art of storytelling and communication, it’s probably not shocking.
But you might be surprised by how some of the skills honed in acting school can translate into marketing and other careers.
Here are five:
Developing Empathy for Your Character = Understanding Your Audience
In acting school, we didn't just learn to memorize lines, we spent a considerable amount of time trying to get into the headspace of our characters.
We had to dig deep to understand their motivations, their fears, their desires. It wasn’t just about surface-level details or demographics; we needed to understand how their inner workings shaped the narrative itself.
And strangely enough, this skillset has proven to be incredibly relevant in the world of marketing as well.
When I encounter audience personas or empathy maps, I can't help but notice the parallels between the exercises we did in acting class and those in used in business workshops.
In acting, we used questions and engaged in exercises—to push ourselves past our preconceived notions and figure out what made our characters tick.
Whether you're playing a character on stage or crafting a marketing campaign, empathy is key.
Just as a lack of understanding of your character can lead to a lackluster performance in acting, ineffective marketing results when marketers fail to grasp the nuances of their audience's needs and desires.
2. Authentic Performance=Authentic Brand Expression
When Shakespeare penned "All the world's a stage," who knew he was moonlighting as a business consultant?
Turns out, his wisdom wasn't just for actors.
An actor's understanding of their character informs their choices and actions in a performance, and in the same way, a business's understanding of its brand identity guides how they come across in their marketing.
Actors must grapple with questions of identity and voice, much like brands do. And fierce introspection is necessary to pull out meaningful insights.
If an actor fails to fully understand their character's motivations, they may make choices that are inconsistent or out of character, it undermines the integrity of their performance.
If a business is fuzzy on its brand identity, it ends up making decisions that don't quite fit, confusing its audience and losing their trust.
Whenever I’ve been tasked with developing voice guidelines, I always think back to acting school. I realize I’m channeling the same empathy and insight I used to “get into character.” It's about capturing the essence of their voice—the cadence, the tone, the subtle nuances that authentically bring them to life. It’s truly the script that the copywriter works from.
Ultimately, a brand is similar to an on-going performance, where all the elements —from messaging and visuals to channels and timing—must work together to deliver a unified brand experience. Or at least, that's the goal!
3. The Business of Acting = Personal Branding
As actors exit the stage doors of acting school and venture into the real world, they take on a new role—entrepreneur.
Equipped with maybe (just maybe) one or two crash courses on business in their waning weeks of school, they must now master a new art form: branding and self-promotion.
With perhaps only a fleeting glimpse into the world of business during their final days of training—they often are left to learn this part on their own.
Learning the “business” of acting is learning the business of of branding and marketing.
It’s fundamental to succeeding in the industry. While some naturally exude charisma, you've got to learn to sell yourself—and many must intentionally craft and refine their personal brand to stand out from the competition.
The “business of acting” entails deliberate effort to hone your image, find your unique selling points, and define your niche. And It’s not easy –—for thespian or brands alike!
4.Collaborative Process:
We’ve all heard the stories of the lone creative, tucked away in a cabin, emerging with a screenplay masterpiece after just three days—but for us mere mortals, storytelling is not about one person's brilliance.
In acting school, we worked closely with scene partners—writing, brainstorming characters through improvisation, and troubleshooting technical challenges to bring performances to life.
Similarly, in marketing teams, we gather around, armed with caffeine and creativity, (and hopefully a brave project manager!) to leverage the diverse skills of designers, copywriters, strategists, analysts, stakeholders, and clients.
But collaboration in both acting and marketing is a bit like walking a tightrope—a delicate balance between individual vision and collective insight. It's not always easy, with a variety of ideas, opinions, and personalities.
Yet, it's this delicate balance that elevates storytelling from good to great.
In a creative melting pot like acting school (and on marketing teams) it's not just about harnessing your own creative genius; it's about learning to find that balance between your vision and the diverse perspectives of those around you.
Acting school can help hone a collaborative spirit, teaching the importance of teamwork, communication, and collective problem-solving—all of which are vital in the business world.
Acting School Can Lead to Many Paths
Ironically, the month after I graduated from acting school is when I started to learn about branding.
I stumbled upon a casting director’s blog that was a masterclass in branding. She broke down all the fundamentals—consistency, clarity, and relevance.
Most importantly, she emphasized putting yourself in the shoes of your "buyers"—the casting directors who would potentially hire you—understanding what they cared about and how to speak their language.
I can't quite explain why branding and marketing clicked with me, but there was something oddly tangible about it.
While I grappled with my own identity and talent as an actor, I found I had a knack for helping others. I had stumbled upon a secret superpower, while also realizing that my true storytelling strength might not be tied to acting after all.
When people hear "acting school," a variety of perceptions come up. Initially, attending an acting conservatory might appear to be a niche pursuit, especially if one doesn't succeed in becoming a professional actor afterward.
However, there's more to it than meets the eye.
Personally, I've discovered that acting school equipped me with a skill set that plays a significant role in my work every day.
Acting schools, film schools, and other creative programs offer a rich tapestry of skills that are are incredibly transferable and valuable. And the skill of storytelling, in particular, has the power to lead individuals down unexpected paths and shape successful careers in marketing and beyond.
