JHELAB
What do you recommend I do when searching for an agent to represent me.
SEAN
AUSTRALIA VS. AMERICA
Agents in the U.S. have a much more clear cut role in their positions compared to Australian agents. American agents’ roles are more or less purely work/business related. Australian agents generally take on the role of both Agent & Manager pending on how that agency runs.
In saying this, the following post applies to both markets.
QUALITIES
When looking for an agent, there should be a few qualities you should want your agent to posses:
- CHARISMA - I believe an agent needs to have a certain charisma or charm about them. This charisma will allow them to cultivate relationships faster and stronger and win business for the agency and therefore you, the client. This charisma doesn’t have to be physical. They could have the gift of the gab. May be able to make you laugh at the smallest thing. They may be 100% genuine and make you feel like you’re the only thing that exists. If this happens to you in the interview, you can only imagine what they’ll be like when they’re calling up creatives or stakeholders who could hold the audition, or better yet, the role in their hands.
- INTEGRITY - An agent who is honest and has integrity is a trustworthy agent. Someone that you can trust to go in and bat for you. Someone you know will have your back and will submit you even when they get a “no”. You can ask during your interview for some examples of when they had to be 100% transparent with a client or what was the hardest they fought for a client.
- BUSINESS MINDSET - An agent with a business mindset is an agent that knows how to negotiate, who knows how to play the game, who knows how to count his losses and celebrate his wins and is someone who knows how hard to fight the good fight. Having an agent with a business mindset ensures you that you’ll be taken care of when it comes to contracts, when it comes to payment and security. An agent with a business mindset will also have a large network of contacts - more importantly, if you did your research right, the contacts that you want that you know you’re suitable for & that you could potentially book! Ask them which CD’s they work with, who their clients have booked through and what creatives and stakeholders they have close relationships with.
Of course these qualities aren’t the be all and end all however I do believe a good agent will have at least these 3 key qualities which will help you book work.
CHECKLIST:
Are you ready to be represented?
Have you got your agent package ready?
Do you know which agencies you want to apply to and why?
Have you got an interview with said agencies or better yet, a specific agent within that agency?
Keep the above qualities in mind during your interview.
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