Social media can feel like an exciting opportunity for actors, but it can also feel exposing, confusing and hard to manage. For young performers, parents and actors starting out, the question is not simply whether to be online, but how to use social media with confidence, care and clear boundaries. In this episode of The Drama Coach podcast, Lisa is joined by Brian Maitland - actor, professional content creator and social media coach. Brian is also part of Actors and Social Media, helping actors understand how to use social media in a more informed and professional way.
Episode overview
The conversation explores what social media really means for actors today. Brian talks about his own journey from actor training to TikTok, explaining how a creative outlet during lockdown grew into content creation, paid opportunities and eventually coaching others. He also discusses why social media can matter in the acting industry. The conversation does not suggest that follower numbers are everything. Instead, Brian reframes followers as real people who have chosen to invest their attention in someone. For producers or smaller productions, that audience can sometimes offer visibility and support, especially where a show may not already have a large built-in following. But this episode is not about chasing numbers. Much of the discussion focuses on safety, professional judgement, and the importance of thinking carefully before posting. Lisa and Brian talk about drama school students, young actors, parent-run accounts, auditions, confidence, comparison, follow-for-follow, and the pressure to create content simply because everyone else seems to be doing it.
Key themes from the conversation
One of Brian’s strongest messages is that actors need to protect themselves online. He gives examples of students accidentally revealing too much through daily routine videos - where they live, what train station they use, where they study and when they travel. His advice is practical and direct: watch your content back before posting and think about what information it gives away. The same care applies to auditions. Brian is clear that “come with me to my audition” content can be risky. Auditions are professional and often vulnerable spaces. Other actors in the room may not have consented to appear in the background of a video, and panels or producers will not usually want their process shared online. Rather than filming the day, Brian suggests focusing on the audition itself. If you want to mark the moment, a simple photo outside the venue may be enough. The episode also speaks directly to parents of young performers. Brian shares a strong personal view that children’s faces should not be posted publicly on social media, particularly in a world where images can be copied, reshaped and shared far beyond the parent’s control. Lisa reflects openly on the complexity of this for families, especially when young performers want to connect with others. The key question running through this section is thoughtful and useful: what is the purpose of the account, who is it for, and is the possible reward worth the risk? For actors who are old enough to post and want to build an online presence, Brian’s advice is not to copy someone else’s style. What works for one creator may not work for another. Instead, actors need to understand who their content is for and what value it offers. He warns against posting simply because a platform exists or because someone has said actors “should” be online.
- Know who your content is for.
- Ask whether your content is useful, relevant or valuable.
- Avoid follow-for-follow if those people are not genuinely interested in your work.
- Find community, but do not confuse networking with chasing numbers.
- Prioritise quality and value over constant posting.
Brian also challenges common advice about posting multiple times a day. He describes that as a fast route to burnout for many people. Instead, he argues that actors should post when they have something worth sharing. A video does not work because it exists - it works because there is something in it that matters to the person watching.
Confidence, comparison and staying yourself
Lisa and Brian also talk about the emotional side of social media. For actors, comparison can already be difficult, and online platforms can make it louder. Brian speaks honestly about jealousy and comparison, but he also points out that social media can be more open than some parts of the acting industry. A strong strategy, a clear audience and consistent useful content can make a difference. There is also encouragement here for anyone nervous about beginning. Brian acknowledges that early content can feel awkward. People may comment, judge or misunderstand. But starting is part of the process. Like acting, teaching, podcasting or any creative skill, confidence grows through doing the work, reflecting, adjusting and continuing.
A thoughtful tool, not the whole career
This conversation is a useful reminder that social media is not a magic shortcut. It is not a guaranteed route to being discovered, and it should not replace training, auditions, professional platforms or safe industry practice. But when used with intention, boundaries and a clear sense of audience, it can become a tool for connection, creativity and visibility. For young actors, parents and adult learners, the takeaway is simple: be visible if it serves you, but be safe. Be yourself, but be thoughtful. Protect your confidence, your privacy and your professional reputation. Social media may be part of the acting landscape now, but it should support the work - not distract from it.