What were the steps you took that led you to be able to book jobs on a regular basis?

I think once I had made a breakthrough in my work, it gave me the confidence to pursue opportunities more aggressively. That’s when I realized I had no idea how to get professional auditions, and that’s what I spent the next year or so figuring out.

I recommend doing anything that will get you an insider perspective of how the business operates. In Hollywood, casting directors offer internships, or basically the chance for actors to go in and spend a  few hours a week working in their offices (for no pay).  If you play your cards right, and make yourself useful, you get more responsibility.  One relationship I had at a casting office was responsible for two of my most prominent roles. I was so highly regarded at that office that they told me I could pretty much audition for anything I want, within reason. Get creative, don’t limit yourself by what others have done. Create your own path, that way you won’t run into many other people. Make yourself stand out, as an actor and as a person.  When you are approaching people, do it in a friendly (self-deprecating is always good) manner and keep your spirits up at all times. Whenever you make one contact ask them for an intro to someone else. Just be the person you would want in your office if you were the casting director. Have lots of self-respect and you will get respect.

So the short answer is find ways to make yourself invaluable to industry people. Offer your services to casting, producers, directors, agents, whomever. Do this for free and then when they can’t live without you, they will give you anything you want.

I hope that is helpful. Trust me, if you follow that advice, it will be helpful.