Should I ever list my personal phone number publicly?

No. Use a masking service or let your agent handle calls. Personal numbers attract spam and can reveal your location.

Is a Gmail address professional enough?

A custom domain looks more credible and is easier to track. If you must use Gmail, create a unique alias and secure it with 2FA.

How can I stop directory messages going to spam?

Add the platform's forwarding address to your whitelist and check junk folders daily during peak casting seasons.

What if a recruiter insists on my home address for the contract?

Provide a billing address or agent's office. Share your residential address only after contracts are signed and security vetted.

Can I use the same social profile for personal and professional posts?

Separate accounts are safer. If you merge them, use strict audience filters and think twice before posting family content.

Privacy versus reach: choose contact details that balance safety and exposure

Your profile can be picture-perfect, yet the wrong contact details expose you to spam, scams, or even personal risk. Learn how to select, format, and publish information that keeps you safe while still letting serious recruiters reach you fast.

Why contact details matter in talent directories

Every directory search ends with a click on your contact section. If it is missing or poorly configured, casting directors move on. If it over-shares, you invite unwanted calls, phishing attempts, and data leaks. Striking the right balance between privacy and reach is therefore a cornerstone of professional self-marketing.

Recruiters browsing platforms such as female dancer listings on Artfolio confirm that clear, trustworthy contact information shortens booking cycles by days. However, they also flag unprotected phone numbers as a red flag for professionalism. The takeaway: quality beats quantity.

The privacy–reach spectrum

Low exposure, high safety: indirect channels

Indirect channels keep your personal data hidden behind a platform or agent. A recruiter clicks “Message” and the directory forwards the note to your inbox without revealing your real address. Safety is high, but so is the risk of missed opportunities if notifications land in spam or if you forget to check your dashboard.

Moderate exposure: work-only email and social handles

Publishing a dedicated work email (e.g., bookings@yourname.com) increases reach while limiting personal risk. Pair it with a professional social handle—Instagram or LinkedIn—to give recruiters extra context. Remember to disable geotags on personal posts to avoid location leaks.

High exposure, lower safety: personal phone or address

Some talent still list a mobile number for “urgent” calls. Unless a trusted agent filters those calls first, this tactic invites spam, inappropriate messages, or midnight time-zone surprises. Physical addresses belong on invoices, not public profiles.

Contact detail comparison

Method	Visibility to Recruiters	Privacy Control	Typical Response Speed
Directory messaging tool	Low	High – real data hidden	Medium
Work-only email	Medium	Medium – alias can be deleted	Fast
Public social handle (DMs open)	Medium-High	Low – profile searchable	Fast
WhatsApp Business link	High	Low – phone visible	Very fast
Personal phone number	High	Very low – no buffer	Instant

Step-by-step: craft a balanced contact section

Create a dedicated booking email. Use a domain you control. Set an auto-reply outlining your response times and acceptable hours.
Enable 2-factor authentication on that inbox to neutralise hacking attempts.
Link one professional social profile where recruiters can scan additional work. Keep DMs open but moderated.
Add a directory messaging fallback. If your email bounces, recruiters can still reach you safely.
Exclude personal phone numbers. If real-time calls are essential, route them through an online service that masks your digits.

Checklist before you publish

Auto-responses proof-read and free of sensitive data.
Email signature lists only city and time-zone, not full address.
Social profile privacy settings reviewed: no home address in bio, location tagging off.
Directory notification settings turned on and tested.
Emergency contact shared privately with agent, not public.

Integrate privacy into wider profile strategy

Conceptual illustration balancing privacy locks and recruiter reach

Contact details are one cog in a larger visibility machine. Profile tweaks discussed in stand-out directory profiles and smart tag use from age-range filtering tactics also influence reach. Combine these with respectful outreach habits explained in direct messaging etiquette to maximise conversions without compromising safety.

If you target work in multiple regions, adapt contact touchpoints per market, a principle expanded in geo-targeting strategies.

Quick quiz – are your contact details balanced?

FAQ

Should I ever list my personal phone number publicly?: No. Use a masking service or let your agent handle calls. Personal numbers attract spam and can reveal your location.
Is a Gmail address professional enough?: A custom domain looks more credible and is easier to track. If you must use Gmail, create a unique alias and secure it with 2FA.
How can I stop directory messages going to spam?: Add the platform's forwarding address to your whitelist and check junk folders daily during peak casting seasons.
What if a recruiter insists on my home address for the contract?: Provide a billing address or agent's office. Share your residential address only after contracts are signed and security vetted.
Can I use the same social profile for personal and professional posts?: Separate accounts are safer. If you merge them, use strict audience filters and think twice before posting family content.

Take action today

Your next booking could hinge on a single click. Audit your contact details now, implement the steps above, and enjoy higher-quality enquiries with none of the privacy headaches.