Acting vs Sales

When I was pursuing life as an actor, to say it was tough would be an understatement...

Trying to land a decent audition was difficult enough, let alone getting the job.

And when I did turn up to an audition, there'd be another 25 people who looked just like me (only slimmer and younger).

Rejection was brutal.

I'd put on my best audition piece - usually Shakespeare - and the panel of casting directors would look on, emotionless.

"Thank you Mr Purves, we'll get back to you."

The casting agents were like the toughest buyers.

I would've preferred a straight no then and there.

I was working in sales at the time to support myself financially.

I loved my sales role - cold outreach all day with nothing more than a list and a phone.

It felt like acting, except I was actually getting paid for this.

And not everyone would reject me. If I made 100 calls, I'd usually book 2 or 3 appointments.

To me acting was ridiculously tough.

I'd feel personally rejected.

I struggled to get any work, aside from some fringe theatre and a couple of pilots.

Sales and cold calling on the other hand...

If I got rejected by 90% of people, it meant 10% were interested. Which was a 100% improvement on most of my auditions.

Phone rejections didn't bother me.

There was nothing personal in this.

I hadn't just acted out Hamlet's monologue from Act 3, Scene 5, exposing my emotional vulnerabilities.

I would see every call as a slightly different acting scene.

Compared with baring my soul to a panel of steely-faced casting directors, this was a welcome release.

I'd really look forward to going into the office.

I'd put on a daily performance and have a lot of fun with it, regularly trying out new approaches.

I became obsessed and very skilled.

I honed my craft.

With full artistic license.

Sales is acting and acting is sales.

The art of human communication.

And that's why I'm so passionate about it.

I now get to help salespeople become better by developing their interpersonal skills every single day.

It's what I love.

And these days...not a single casting director in sight.