The Secret Way Actors Can Earn More!

Let’s talk about one of the biggest lies actors are told:
That the only way to make consistent income from acting is either by getting booked or becoming an acting teacher.

Sound familiar?

Here’s the thing… those paths can be incredible, but they’re also unpredictable, exhausting, and let’s be real—sometimes just not aligned with who you are or how you want to live. And if you’ve ever felt like having a whole other side hustle that has nothing to do with acting is the only way to stay afloat? You’re not alone.

But what if there was another way?

What if there was a profitable actor side hustle that actually helped your actor career development—and gave you consistent income?

From Side Hustle to Strategy: The Curator Approach

I call it the Curator Approach. And I discovered it completely by accident while rebuilding my acting career as an American actor in Germany after a long break. Not only did this strategy bring in steady money, but it supported my training, expanded my industry connections, and—most importantly—it kept me sharp.

Eventually, it became one of the most powerful actor career strategies I had.

And I wasn’t alone. Other actors started using it too.

Here’s the kicker: you don’t need to be a household name to make this work. You just need your curiosity, your understanding of the industry, and a willingness to create value from what you love.

What Is the Curator Approach?

Think of a museum curator—they bring together artists, ideas, and themes that reflect what they care about.

You do the same thing. Let’s say you're interested in movement for actors. That could lead to organizing a workshop series: animal work, Chekhov, Laban, mocap—you name it. You follow your own curiosity, create a curriculum around what you need, and in doing so, bring valuable industry knowledge to other actors who need it too.

This isn’t about being an event planner. It’s about creating a container for growth—yours and others’.

And guess what? Actors started reaching out to me—casting directors, coaches, even industry pros. Why? Because I had built something real. I had taken proactive control of my career, instead of waiting for opportunities to land in my inbox.

Three-Part Framework for Actor Income (That Doesn’t Rely on Getting Booked)

Here’s the exact three-part framework I used—and teach in my Passion Project Playbook.

1. Identify the Gap

What do you wish existed in your community? Maybe it’s better training. Maybe it’s industry insight or casting access. If you need it, others do too.

Don’t worry if it already exists somewhere else. That actually proves the concept works.

2. Connect the Dots

Who has the knowledge or experience you’re craving? Think coaches, directors, casting directors. These industry pros want to connect with passionate trained actors. You’re doing them a favor by bringing them a ready, targeted group of participants and handling the logistics.

It’s a triple win:
✔️ They get a motivated audience without the hassle
✔️ Actors get access to training they need
✔️ You build industry connections, support your career, and earn money

3. Create the Container

This is your zone. Use your actor brain to design something that actually feels good to be part of—intimate, intentional, and valuable. Start small. You don’t need a massive network or a fancy studio.

You need passion, perspective, and the guts to take the first step.

The Income? Also Real.

When I first started using the curator approach, my goal was just to get training I couldn’t afford. But soon, it became a legit third income stream—bringing in anywhere from a couple thousand to even €5,000 a month. Eventually, it added up to around €50,000 a year.

Not bad for something that also helped me book roles with Netflix, Hallmark, and A24.

The best part? I wasn’t teaching. I was participating. No pressure to be perfect—just learning, connecting, and building something that served me and my community.

This Isn’t a Side Gig. It’s a Power Move.

Look, you don’t have to be stuck in the feast-or-famine loop. You don’t have to burn out juggling jobs that have zero to do with your craft.

You can use what you already know—your training, your insight, your actor instincts—to build something sustainable, smart, and deeply fulfilling.

And if you’re ready to actually start doing that?

📕 Grab the Escape Route Playbook and get the full roadmap. It walks you through everything from finding the right expert to setting up your first event—even if you're starting from scratch. And f you're a creative who's ready to build better access and visibility for your craft while getting paid at the same time, then book a free strategy call and let's make that happen.

Your career doesn’t have to be either booked or broke.
You can curate the path that works for you.

Until next time, stay your bold and beautiful self.
—Anne

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