Social networking is an amazing tool, but you must be careful with what you put out there. Remember, the information you share online represents you: you want to put your best face forward at all times… especially in this business. Here are some DOs & DON’Ts to help you construct a great online persona:

DO: Be friends with your favorite actors, celebrities, contacts, and future employers. This includes Production Companies and Movie Studios etc. or anyone you want to be connected with on face book and follow them on Twitter. This way you’ll get all the inside info on appearances, hosting specials, casting calls, giveaways and news updates.

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If you read this blog regularly, you already know how great Casting Director Jenny Rawdin and Casting Director Courtney Maglione are at their jobs. That’s why we want them to talk to YOU about YOUR career!

For a limited time only, we’re giving away a free consultation with one of them. You DON’T have to be an InstantCast member–anyone can win! It takes 30 seconds to enter – click here to enter the running.

By Alisha, InstantCast assistant editor

Re-locating = a lot of hard work! I know from experience, having just made the leap from NYC to Denver. It is exciting, daunting, and exhilarating all at once… just like this industry! The most important thing when re-locating is to keep in touch with old contacts while making every effort to create new contacts.

You’ll need to network so that you can find people who are going to help you on your path to stardom.

You simply can’t do it all alone. Here are some ways to find new contacts:

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I just had the pleasure of giving a casting consultation to InstantCast member Tony. We talked for about an hour and connected on many different levels. As a casting director, I try to always find some similarities and common interests with whomever I’m speaking to.

Whether it’s a interview or an casual encounter, it’s very important to make your audience feel comfortable and speak openly. Luckily, Tony and I had lots in common.

We both like the ocean, travel, and adventure…all whilst having fun! Click here to reserve your casting consultation now!

We exchanged travel stories for a while and then moved onto discussing his past casting opportunities. He was offered a recurring role in a feature film as a Deputy Chief in the 70’s: he says it was this role that sparked his acting interest.

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The 1st day of anything new is bound to pose challenges…even President Obama had first day jitters on the job! Whether you’re back at school, or at a new job, new set, or new theater, the first days are often very hard, overwhelming, and time consuming.

You have to meet new people, fill out paperwork, and take care of all those small, mundane details. But even if your first day is tough, don’t judge a book by its cover!

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You can always take acting classes at your local acting school, but you can do more to expand your horizons with Continuing Ed centers like The Learning Annex.

New Yorkers have a great chance to get on TV while the skinny way of life from The Real Housewives of New York star Bethenny Frankel. She’s teaching a class called “You Can Be Naturally Thin” and filming it for the new season of Housewives.  Click here to sign up!

You could be the student with all the intelligent questions… and get your 15 minutes of fame. Bravo producers are bound to be there with Bethenny, and you never know: if you impress them, they might ask you to be a regular on the show!

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I just got back to New York after the most physically challenging summer of my life. I just had to keep up the momentum when I got back to my life here in the city.

I try to get on my bike everyday or try to walk instead of taking the subway. Running, skating, or biking will take to places that a car or subway can’t! Not only do you see more scenery and find new, interesting places, you’ll end up meeting many more people too.

Yesterday I biked through three boroughs in New York, and ended up meeting some amazing people in the fashion industry. On the course of my bike ride, I ran into a large photoshoot for Vogue Korea and Dazed & Confused magazine!

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Many radio, TV and film museums host special studio screenings and air the premiere episodes of the most highly-anticipated TV shows of the fall season! I am going to the FOX studios screening this Tuesday.

So what happens at these screenings? Basically, you see every new show the network has to offer, one right after the other with no commercial interruption at all! Here’s what to do to attend a studio screening:

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Need the perfect entrance to the entertainment industry? Audition for medical and crime shows, which are incredibly popular – think House, Scrubs, the CSI franchise, Bones, and countless others…

These shows can be the perfect way to kick off your career. Medical and crime shows need new background and principle talent for every single episode, so they’re constantly casting new faces.

So what’s the best way to improve your chances of snagging the perfect role? Get some experience off set! Here are 3 ways to get started:

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Are you ready to be the next big breakout model, comedian, or actor? You can shine in any of these careers – as long as you’re always right in the middle of the action. That means getting your headshot, resume, or videos seen by the right people at the right time.

Want to be the next comedy superstar? Think you can do a better job then Andy Samberg and the rest of the Lonely Island crew?

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Want one-on-one advice from Casting Director Jenny Rawdin? Click here to get your own Personal Casting Consultation today!

Anyone who’s done volunteer work knows that it’s a great way to make new connections while giving back to the community. Here are a few ways to advance your acting or modeling career while helping others!

Are you a full-time actor or model? Participate in your local school’s Career Day. I’ve recently spoken at two schools as a Featured Speaker. I really enjoyed taking time to tell others just what a Casting Director does.

And as I told the students all about my time in TV and film production, it was also a nice chance for me to reflect on the many different experiences I’ve had.

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