Creative Brand Blog

Branding yourself is something you have to take in to consideration with just about every move you make in your professional career and a very important asset to our Brand is a well thought out presentation of your Brand. We head to the Actors Corner and H for some words of advice with presenting yourself/Brand properly in a cover letter. Take a look below for some well needed information about the do’s and don’ts of cover letters.

Cover Letter Madness!

The contents of a cover letter can either make or break a first impression. You have to approach your cover letter thinking that the person you are sending your cover letter to has not even had a chance to meet you in person! I see tons of mistakes that people make while submitting to different agencies and firms. Here are a few tips on making your cover letter stand out!

1. KIS!

Many people who receive your cover letter are very busy. Your cover letter should not be more than about 2 paragraphs. There is a saying in journalism that is simply referred to as KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid)…we’ll take out the stupid part for the sake of not offending people. Keep your cover letter simple. Tell us just a bit about yourself. How did you hear about my company? Have you heard good things about my company? Were you referred by a client of mine? What can you bring to my roster of talent? Why are you interested in my company? These are great questions that should be answered in your submission!

2. Please do not come off arrogant!

Yes, if you work in entertainment you more than likely have a big personality. It’s great to show personality in your submission but you never want to come off arrogant. Who would want to work with somebody like that? If you’re coming off as an arrogant person in your cover letter then chances are the person reading it will think that you will be a problem when you get to set. Believe me, this is an industry where you do not want to upset anybody! If your agent or manager hears about you being problematic on set….needless to say….you’re kinda screwed. 

3. Make it personable!

Find out who you are submitting to. If you start off by saying “Dear sir or madam” or “To whom it may concern” your submission will look generic. It looks a lot better when you put the first name of the recipient. “Hi Howard” or “Hi Susan” looks way better than “Dear random person that I’m submitting to”. 

-H