A lot of actors want to know, “How do I boost my IMDB Starmeter?”
Why? Because they’ve heard that it’s very important to casting directors that you’re “trending” on IMDB. I’m here to tell you, friend-to-friend, stop that!
Your Starmeter just doesn’t matter that much!
Listen, I’m not gonna lie, I check my Starmeter more often than I should. It’s kinda fun. But honestly, I’m the only one who cares about where it’s at this week.
Your star meter goes up when people click on your profile or on the projects you appear in. So, it’s safe to say that your star meter spikes significantly when you JUST appeared on a popular show.
Cool… but now what? Unless you’re on that show every week, it will drop. Every week it rises or drops relative to last weeks clicks.
So I ask you… what does having your lil’ clicking party with other actors really do for you? It only inflates it for this week. Next week it will crash again.
The important question we need to ask is “What compels actors to boost their Starmeter?”
Why do actors feel the need to inflate their starmeter?
Somewhere along the way, someone lied to someone by saying people get cast based on their Starmeter. And yes, it has happened. But not the way you think.
A high Starmeter, meaning somewhere in the low thousands, usually signifies someone who is picking up a ton of fans. Fans who’re seeking out more information. This gives a producer a hint as to who might be able to attract a wide audience for their next project.
Then there’s you. All clickety-click-click.
But for what? It’s not from fans (YET!!!!), it’s from your facebook group of actors all clicking each other.
These are Dishonest Signals
It’s a dishonest signal. And it’s not fooling anyone.
Same goes for follow-backs and buying social media followers. Those aren’t fans. Those aren’t people chomping at the bit to see your next project.
The worst part is the industry sees right through this.
It’s like seeing a dude you know is broke driving a Porsche up to the club.
“Buddy, we KNOW you can’t afford that – save your money!”
Checking your starmeter and spending time trying to improve it is yet another thing distracting you from improving upon your honest signals. So what are the honest signals?
So… What Are The Honest Signals?
Your stellar acting.
The projects you make that attract fans to your work.
Then those fans seek you out on social media.
They check IMDB to see what else they can watch you in. (And your Starmeter goes up!)
They tell people how great you are and recommend you when people are looking.
Gaining the true traction you seek can only be done in one way – through the emotional labor of putting yourself out there to be judged on your work.
EVERYTHING ELSE is a waste of your time. So what are you working on next?