How to Get an Agent

How to Get an Agent

How do I find a talent booking agent?

A talent booking agent is a resource that helps artists in getting jobs in their respective fields. The fields of expertise can include a wide variety of art forms or sports activities. Whether you are a singer, a musician, an actor, a sports person, or a writer, a talent booking agent promotes you in a professional way and arranges a job for you. Though it is not mandatory to have a talent agent, however, connecting with a professional talent booking agency helps to reduce the efforts needed to get the relevant projects in your field of expertise.

How can you find a talent agent?

Finding a talent agency isn’t very difficult if you understand their way of working and know how to connect with them.

How to Get an Agent

Assessing the Needs

A deep understanding of what you have in offering vis-a-vis the needs of the talent agency is the primary requirement of finding the right talent agency. So, assess your field and level of skill and accordingly search for the relevant talent agency.

Finding Talent Agencies

Once you are clear about your needs the next step is to find out a suitable agency. The easiest way to find a talent agency is by networking and contacting the artists’ unions like SAG-AFTRA etc.

How to Get an Agent

Present Yourself Well

Your resume and headshot are the two basic tools to pull the attention of the talent agents. So, design your resume such that it impressively demonstrates your skill, expertise, experience, and specific areas of interest. You should look very sincere and professional in your approach. Besides, your cover letter should clearly reflect your passion for the specific art form or sports activity.

After preparing the resume, you should mail your credentials to all the unions and begin to follow up with them in a week’s time for personal meetings.

Connecting With the Agent

References play a vital role in connecting with agents. Most of the renowned agents work with the artists if they have a reference to some well-known artists or someone with whom the agent has close relationship. Besides, agents also spot the talent on a live event, on a TV show, or on famous publication. In modern times your presence on different social media platforms also plays an important role in getting you connected with the agents.

Final Words

Finding the right talent booking agent can relieve you of many concerns regarding getting the suitable job in your relevant field. And it is not very difficult to find the perfect agent for your purpose if you put sincere efforts in searching for the appropriate agency.

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About the Author

Alyson Theriot

Alyson Theriot

Marketing/PR

I want to grow my network worldwide.

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4 Comments on Alyson's Article

Angelo Raza
Director, Producer, Screenwriter
Thanks Alyson. Does this means that I cannot secure a deal by myself once I have an agent? 
4 years ago
Angelo Raza
Director, Producer, Screenwriter
Thanks for your advice Seumas
4 years ago
Hey Angelo! Agents take a fixed percentage of your income on the job they secure for you. This can be anywhere between 10 and 20%, depending on the deal you've signed and the nature of the job. 
4 years ago
Tasha Lewis
Actor, Author, Choreographer, Dancer, Director, Editor, Filmmaker, Marketing/PR, Narrator, Producer, Researcher, Screenwriter, Student, Translator, Voice Actor
Thank you for the tips.  I took a class on How to get an agent and manager.  Will add your recommendations when I meet with potential agents.
4 years ago
Brian H Shaw
Author, Music Composer, Screenwriter
Nice & concise Alyson. Thx for that. One question: Is it true that agents are beginning to represent Ghostwriters? I'm a professional ghoster with 16 years experience and 5 books published and to market. I work with top pros in their fields & have just finished work with a world renowned neurosurgeon...But it would be interesting to add an actor or director to the mix! Can you help me contact such an agent??
4 years ago
Brian Kelsey
Cinematographer, Editor, Host/Presenter, Producer, Voice Artist, Voice Actor, Narrator
Very helpful Alyson!  I do have a question - I've been with a voice-over agent here in NYC for the past 10 years, but am looking for representation for a television show I'm pitching (which they don't do).  In general, are there any issues with having multiple agents, for different situations?
4 years ago
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