How Much Money Do Comedian Agents Get?

If you are a comedian who is searching for an agent to represent you, it is important to understand the method by which they are paid. Agents work as a liaison between the creative and business sides of the industry and are in charge of booking work for you. Without an agent, it is very difficult to get hired to perform high-paying gigs and to significantly advance your career.

An Agent's Job

A comedian's agent is responsible for marketing you to prospective employers and ensuring that you are fairly compensated for your work and time. An agent creates leverage between your professional abilities and fair market value for a comedian and tries to garner the highest possible pay for a job. An agent handles all incoming requests for your work and also seeks out potential jobs for you. They handle all of the communication and legal aspects so that the only thing you have to worry about is performing your next show.

Upfront Fees

While there are some agents out there that will request upfront fees, be extremely wary of such propositions. An agent should never be paid for anything unless he books you a job. From there, an agent is paid from the money you earn from working. All legitimate comedic agents will never ask for upfront fees and will only require payment on the back end.

Payment Structure

Comedic agents are paid based on a pre-agreed-upon percentage of each job that you work while he is representing you. In most places, comedic agents charge 10 percent of all jobs as their fee. While this is the standard, fees can range from 8 to 20 percent, depending on the agent, their credibility and the state that they are working in.

Other Considerations

While paying 10 percent of your earnings does not sound like an ideal situation for anyone, be sure to remember that it is often nearly impossible to book high-paying jobs without the help of an agent. An agent has many industry contacts and gives you a sense of credibility within the industry.

References

• So You Want to Be a Talent Agent? Everything You Need to Know to Start Your Own Local Talent Booking Agency; Tom Elliot; 2010