If you’re struggling to promote your latest creative project, you need to hear this episode of Second Act Actors. Today I interview Vinnie Potestivo, the man behind the golden age of reality TV. Vinnie produced MTV hits like Punk’d, The Osbournes, The Challenge and more, and he’s also launched or accelerated the careers of some huge stars including Mandy Moore, Jessica Simpson, Lauren Conrad and Hilary Duff.

Vinnie lays out his expert tips to share and gain traction around your creative content, which is a masterclass in online promotion. Grab your notebook and get ready to learn how to get noticed, which platforms you need to be active on and where you might find a red carpet moment in your day-to-day life. Vinnie also unpacks the huge potential of podcasting and the new definition of ‘talent’ in the creative industry. 

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Timestamps

[1:02] Getting out of my head: My favourite thing about acting

[2:26] Vinnie’s life story: From MTV to launching Beyoncé

[4:55] Beyoncé’s hip-hopera audition

[6:08] Moving into unscripted TV with Punk’D

[7:24] Why Vinnie loves working with actors on unscripted TV

[8:38] Being part of the process of character development and selling an actor to a producer

[10:32] The controlled chaos of MTV in the early 2000s and how it transitioned into a more curated look in The Challenge

[13:20] What social media has done to reality TV

[14:20] Yes there’s manipulation in reality TV, but not for the reason you think

[16:20] Vinnie’s childhood and the huge technology transformations we experienced from 1995 - 2007

[19:38] “You have rights that you didn’t have before”: Vinnie explains how the way that we distribute content today gives more power to creators

[23:37] Vinnie’s tips on promoting yourself as a creative product: Vinnie’s tip #1: Apply for awards

[27:25] Vinnie’s tip #2: Claim your credits and get into podcasts

[29:21] Vinnie’s secret on how to boost your podcast on Google

[30:50] Vinnie’s tip #3: Maximise your discovery on IMDb

[31:55] Vinnie’s tip #4: Think about your red carpet moments

[33:22] Vinnie’s tip #4: Amplify your distribution 

[36:31] Actors suck at self-promotion!

[37:41] Grab on to new tools to improve and share your content

[39:07] Collaborate and create, in a way that uses your gifts

[44:45] “Podcasts are TV pilots”: Vinnie on the potential of podcasts

[46:37] The meaning of talent is different now

[47:37] Creatives have the burden of explaining what it’s like to work with creatives

[49:40] Every career should have a second act

[51:03] Create your project, then get in touch with Vinnie

[52:25] It feels like it’s a secret, but it shouldn’t be

[53:30] What it looks like to be a liberated, successful creative

Links

VPE Talent

Vinnie Potestivo on Instagram

Vinnie Potestivo on IMDb

Vinnie Potestivo on LinkedIn

Vinnie Potestivo on Twitter

Quuu promotional tool

The Creator Accelerator Hub

Second Act Actors website

Second Act Actors on Instagram

Second Act Actors on Facebook

Second Act Actors on YouTube

Janet McMordie website

Janet McMordie on Instagram

Janet McMordie on LinkedIn

Janet McMordie on Twitter

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