<< All Blogs

Networking in a Hybrid World: Online & In-Person Strategies

By Annie Chadwick, November 19, 2025

A modern guide to building real relationships with casting directors, agents, and managers

Networking has always been part of an actor’s job, but in today’s hybrid industry—where doors open both online and in person—it’s more essential than ever. And yet, many actors still carry outdated beliefs about networking: “It feels fake.” “I’m not good at self-promotion.” “It never leads anywhere.”

That mindset stops careers cold.

The truth?
Networking isn’t self-promotion. It’s professional participation.
It’s showing up as a colleague in the entertainment industry with joy, gratitude, and the expectation that your relationships will evolve.

Actors who approach networking with preparation, curiosity, and consistency build reputations that lead to opportunities. Actors who approach networking casually or avoid it altogether often wonder why their career isn’t moving.

This blog will give you the practical tools AND the mindset reset needed to navigate networking in 2025.

Networking Is Not “Being Fake” — It’s Being in Community

First, let’s address the negative beliefs that quietly sabotage so many actors.

• “Networking feels gross”
• “I hate talking about myself”
• “I don’t want to bother anyone”
• “Industry people don’t want to meet me”

These aren’t truths — they’re old fears.

Networking is a joy, not a chore. It’s gratitude for the chance to meet people who make the art you love. It’s an opportunity to learn, share your work, and connect human-to-human. No fake flattery, no forced charm. Just authentic professionalism.

And importantly:

Networking works.
Actors who expect success, track connections, and follow up consistently see results.
Actors who treat networking like a burden rarely do.

Targeted Networking: The Only Approach That Works in 2025

Networking only becomes overwhelming when it’s vague.

Instead of “I want to meet casting directors,” try:

• “I want to meet the associate casting currently working on the shows I’m right for.”
• “I want to meet agents who rep actors of my type and level.”
• “I want to build relationships with CDs who have been nominated for Artios Awards in my category.”

This is a business. Strategy matters.

General networking wastes time.
Targeted networking builds careers.

1. Paid Educational Classes with Industry Professionals

Not technically an audition — but absolutely treated like one.

This is the section where many actors sabotage themselves.

Actors often think:
“It’s just a class. I’ll prepare lightly.”
Or:
“I’m paying, so it’s low stakes.”

This mindset is costly.

While it is not legally an audition, it is your first impression.
And many actors do not get a second one.

Approach it like a hybrid audition + industry insight session.

Before class:

• Prepare your material with the same rigor you’d give a real audition.
• Research the casting office or agent’s roster.
• Understand what shows, genres, or clients they’re focused on.
• Bring in material that aligns with their world, not random scenes.
• Warm up vocally and physically.
• Be ready to talk succinctly about recent credits or training.

During class:

• Listen deeply to feedback (it reveals how they think).
• Take notes.
• Show professionalism, not perfection.
• Engage with humility and presence.
• Treat every moment as a chance to show how you work.

The Follow-Up: Where Most Actors Drop the Ball

Follow-up is just as important as the class.

Have an email drafted before the class so you can personalize and send it the next day.

Your follow-up should include:

• What you appreciated about their notes or insight
• A short reminder of the material you performed
• A brief, professional note about your current work
• Links to your:
  • reel
  • Actors Access or Casting Networks profile
  • personal website
  • recent work or festivals
  • upcoming class or showcase
• An expression of interest in staying connected

This email cements the first impression.

Without follow-up, the introduction fades.
With follow-up, the relationship begins.

And track the interaction in your networking database so the relationship has a place to grow. You can find the full list of paid educational networking events from Actors Connection, One-On-One, Acting & Voice Studios, and Ace Studios. On the Up-To-Date Actor, you can also target specific industry professionals, companies, and actively casting projects—and receive notifications whenever those entities announce a new networking opportunity.

2. In-Person Networking Mixers & Industry Social Events

Relationship-first, information-driven, and full of opportunity.

Mixers aren’t about performing — they’re about connecting. But they still require preparation.

Before you attend:

• Research who will be there. Know what they cast, what their company produces, whether they’ve been nominated for Artios Awards, and recent projects.
• Prepare a few natural conversation openers about their work (curiosity, not flattery).
• Bring your acting picture-business cards. Keep them where you can grab them naturally.
• Be clear on your intention:
  “Tonight I’d love to introduce myself to two CDs working in TV drama.”
  “I want to talk to the associate at ___ casting office.”
  

During the mixer:

• Be present, grounded, and curious.
• Don’t pitch yourself; have a conversation.
• Ask about their projects or what they’re excited about.
• Connect as a colleague, not “an actor wanting something.”
• When appropriate, offer your picture business card — never forced.

After the event:

Follow up the next day with a warm, grateful note and a reminder of your conversation.
This is relationship building — not a one-night transaction.

3. Online Networking: The 2025 Advantage

Smart, consistent visibility without being pushy.

Many industry professionals—CDs, agents, managers, directors—now have very active Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn presences. They share:

• casting notices
• client booking announcements
• educational tips
• free live events
• industry trends
• Q&As or AMAs
• volunteer or charity work
• personal excitement about current projects

This is a tremendous gift:
You get access to the people you want to know every single day.

How to network online without being “that actor”:

• Engage lightly and professionally.
• Comment with value, not desperation.
• Never DM asking for representation or auditions.
• Don’t comment on every post — it reads as pushy.
• Avoid anything that resembles stalking.
• Maintain boundaries and respect.

Instead, use online engagement as a slow, steady relationship builder.

Find their free events

Many CDs offer free or low-cost live educational chats or webinars — excellent, low-pressure opportunities to build recognition and familiarity.

Be active professionally online

Regular, grounded updates about your work show momentum and reliability.

4. Making the Most of Every Networking Opportunity

Practical steps to ensure your networking creates long-term relationships

For Classes (Paid Educational Sessions):

• Prepare material at an audition-ready level
• Research the guest and their current projects
• Choose scenes that fit their casting world
• Arrive warmed-up and professionally presented
• Take detailed notes
• Send a next-day follow-up email (planned in advance)
• Include your reel, website, and updated links
• Add them to your tracking database
• Follow their office on social media if appropriate

For Mixers:

• Research attendees
• Bring picture business cards
• Set specific goals for the night
• Ask thoughtful questions
• Keep interactions short and warm
• Follow up the next day
• Track the interaction in your database

For Online Networking:

• Engage respectfully and sparingly
• Attend free or live events
• Share your work professionally
• Keep materials updated
• Use social media as a relationship tool, not a megaphone
• Track who you follow and engage with

For Your Mindset:

• Expect success
• Treat networking as joy, not obligation
• Be proud of the work you’re sharing
• Release the outdated mindset that networking is smarmy or fake
• Remember: this is your job, your community, your career

Networking is not something you “have to do.”
It’s something you get to do because you are a working artist.

Final Thoughts: Networking Is the Engine of a Career

In a hybrid world, the actors who thrive are the ones who show up—online, in person, and with intention.

Networking done with clarity, warmth, gratitude, and professionalism becomes a powerful, joyful part of your career.

It’s not about luck.
It’s not about pretending.
It’s not about being pushy.

It’s about being visible, prepared, and consistent.

When you expect your relationships to evolve, they do.
When you nurture them, they deepen.
When you show up with the right energy and follow-through, doors open.

This is the work.
This is the joy.
This is how careers grow in 2025 and beyond.

If you catch old fears or negative thoughts creeping into your networking, replace them with this affirmation:

“I am in collaborative harmony with everyone in this industry.
I honor the work of agents, managers, casting directors, directors, producers, crew, designers, writers, musicians, and fellow actors.
I approach each connection with respect, gratitude, and professionalism, knowing we are all creating together.”