How Can Independent Talent Agents Find Leads for Clients?
Talent agents represent actors and/or models. Some talent agents work for agencies, while others are independent. This means that they develop their own methods of working with clients and are not guided by a particular agency in doing business. However, a client should expect the same professionalism and process from an independent agent that she does from an agent associated with an agency. It is, therefore, important for you to know how talent agents function to find you work, so you will know what to expect before you sign a contract with one.
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Networking
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Independent talent agents often find job leads for their clients through networking. Networking means meeting people, finding out their needs and allowing them to get to know you. It is also about developing business relationships that form to assist individuals with their business needs. Networking can occur at any place or social function where the talent agent meets people, such as a business gathering, a party or an event. Consequently, it may seem like your agent has a very active social life, when in fact your agent is most likely networking to try and find leads for your next audition or job.
Internet
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Across the World Wide Web are numerous sites that cater to the needs of talent and talent agents. Some sites list scheduled films that are in production, while other sites, such as Backstage, list specific acting or modeling opportunities. In addition, there are a number of film-related sites that post ads for talent, including New England Film.com. Your independent talent agent may spend a large portion of time looking through these types of sites in order to find leads that may result in work. Be advised, however, that some sites that provide leads for agents require the agent to be registered with the site and only the agent can access job leads for you.
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Marketing and Advertising
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Many independent talent agents develop marketing or advertising campaigns or events in order to promote their talent and their business. Campaigns and events bring attention to the talent agent, as well as her clients. In theory, the attention that is created then prompts companies or professionals who want to hire talent to contact the talent agent. The talent agent will then find out what the client is looking for and set up auditions for the actor or model.
Connections
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Most reputable talent agents have a background history in the entertainment or modeling industry, which has allowed them to develop contacts and/or connections over the years. These connections may be lifelong friends or they may be people who your talent agent has worked with over the course of his career, making his use of connections different than his process of networking. Whatever the foundation of the connections, your talent agent will place a high value on them because of his continued association with them and the trust that the connection has placed in the talent agent.
Research
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The independent talent agent also may conduct research to find out what companies are planning to do films, produce a new play or stage a fashion show that will require actors and/or models. Research may result in job leads that happen tomorrow or months from now, depending on when the company plans to start working on the event or when they receive funding for it. Nevertheless, when the independent talent agent has conducted her research, she can begin contacting producers, casting directors, directors or other contacts to obtain valuable leads.
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References
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