How to Become an Agent When You Aren’t In L.A. or N.Y.
Dear YII, I live in Asheville, North Carolina and we have more per capita of genius artists and talent than anywhere in the world I’ve seen, other than the entire state of California. I am curious in how to become a talent agent for this city. Bryan
Dear Bryan,
I’m not sure how your state works (you should research this online), but in California, in order to become a talent agent, you need to be licensed. The best/most direct way of becoming an agent is to work for an established agency. Do an internet search for talent agencies in your area. See if you can get (at least) an informational interview with them to discuss your access to talent and what niche you might occupy with the agency. You may propose an area, such as music, that they don’t have yet and they might be willing to train you and help you become a full-fledged agent.
An alternative to the above is becoming a manager (or you can follow this path to becoming an agent, if licensing is not an issue in your state). Managers are unlicensed, but in order to make any money doing it, you have to be good at it. If you know of a band, an artist, or some other kind of talented individual or group you really believe in, see if they need management. Most creative types are happy to have somone else selling for them. Typically in entertainment, managers get 15% of what the client makes. So if you go out and get a band you represent $1000 booking for a gig, you get $150.
Doesn’t seem like much when you consider the work you put in, but if you have multiple clients and they start getting some traction, you could start seeing some healthy returns. Just make sure you get your agreement in writing. You don’t want to be left out of the windfall if all your work turns them into the next Kings of Leon.
Hope this helps!
Jenny
a.k.a. Your (Entertainment) Industry Insider Know anyone who could use an entertainment industry insider? Encourage them to sign up on the YII home page to receive our Mogul Mindset eBlasts today!
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Tags: Agent, talent agent
