How to Secure a Good Agent

A few blogs back I posted a tip on how to secure a music placement. One of my sub-tips included finding a good agent. A reader replied back thankful for the insight but also wanted to know in how to go about doing this. So...

Dear Reader,

If you’d like to find out all the qualities of a good agent, continue reading…

First off what is the role of an agent?

There are many types of agents. In music, you’d most likely be looking for a Music Agent. You may also want to look for a booking or talent agent. A talent agent, or booking agent, is a person who finds jobs for actors, musicians, models, and other people in various entertainment businesses. Agents make their money by taking a percentage of the money that their client is paid. There are different regulations that govern different types of agents that are established by artist's unions and the legal jurisdiction in which the agent operates. There are also professional organizations that license talent agencies.

In the Music World…

In the music world, booking agents are different from talent managers. Booking agents are the people that actually book shows for the artists they represent. They make all of the arrangements with the promoters of the shows. The booking agent presents the promoter or producer of the concert with a performance agreement, which stipulates the artist’s requirements. Items may include lighting, sound, meals, hotel accommodations, and transportation. For concert buyers, they work to find the right artist that will fit in the need and available budget.

Many of the major booking agencies refuse to represent clients who are not already signed to a major record label and have national distribution of their music. Because of this, artists on independent record labels often seek representation with an independent booking agency.

The cost factor of having a booking agent has to be weighed against what they can do for clients and buyers alike. Some agents represent several different types of artists, while others represent artists in one main area/genre.

When looking for a good agent, make sure the qualities you are looking for include:

1) Someone who is well connected.

2) Someone who knows how to negotiate.

3) Someone who will make sure all arrangements are taken care of as far as your shows

4) Someone you can trust

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