So, you want an agent?

The question we get asked at Roar the most, it’s undoubtedly “How do I get an agent” (usually followed by “Can you represent me”) and i’m always surprised by the conversations that happen when we answer and try to get to the bottom of why a creative might want an agent/agency, so I thought I would put together a little run down of the major points to think about when the topic of agency representation comes up, and some questions you might want to ask yourself before you make that next step and reach out to an agency. 

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Ask yourself why?

It’s the first question we ask all potential artists to our roster, and it’s really important you understand what it is you are looking for from an agent as this will determine if you’re a good fit for each other. I always find the answers to this question so interesting and it helps me see a little into the mind of the artist who is submitting their work, it’s often a reason we may or may not take on an artist!

The answer we get the most is “To get more work” and, sadly, having an agency cannot guarantee you work, (we wish we could as we’d all be VERY happy), but what having an agency can do is offer you type of support that you can only have from being part of an agency roster. 

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Are you ready to be part of an agency?

Being part of an agency and having an agent is pretty easygoing, however, it’s a two way relationship so you need to be ready to be part of that. This means having good communication with your agent, being on top of sharing updates, files, and being open to work on personal projects to help your portfolio.

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Be proud to be part of their roster, and support your peers.

It’s important for us to have a roster of artists who lift up and support each other, community over competition, always. It’s also really important to us that you’re proud to be part of the agency, if you do not want them in your bio, contact details on your website, then you do not want an agent, and we suggest going it alone.

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Having an Agency does not = work.

Sadly, an agency cannot guarantee you work, we wish we could as we’d all be VERY happy, but what an agent can guarantee you is: Support. 

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For us, support means a lot of different things, and can be felt in many ways; a friendly face at the end of a call/zoom/txt/email, someone to CC in an email to a difficult client (we are, as I have been quoted in the past as saying, the designated A-hole hahaha) someone to take on the tricky jobs so you can do the work, or perhaps all the jobs, so you don’t have to do any email / admin comms etc. Your agent is there for you to help where they can, and for what works best for you, and some of the best agent-artist relationships come from that open and transparent communication. 

Support also looks like PR & Marketing, your work shown to all the agency clients, new business outreach, portfolio reviews, personal projects, and a roster of artists who are part of your agency family.

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Do your research!

All agencies are not the same, and that’s what makes them special! Take your time to research them, look at their roster(s) and think about if your work could sit in the same space. 

Contact an agency using the information on their submissions page and we suggest following those instructions, going outside those parameters will not get you to the top of the list.

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Mind your manners.

Treat people the way you expect to be treated, with kindness and manners. When you contact an agency (or anyone to be honest) , find the name of the contact, tailor your email to them, and don’t send a blanket email,  we can see and feel who has  taken some time and it will be appreciated.

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A no right now is not a no forever.

This industry is built on rejection, and it’s going to be the hardest, yet, most integral part of growing as a creative. One of the most important things I stress when giving advice on dealing with rejection is to remember that a no right now is not a no forever. Take rejection with grace, leave a good impression, and you never know what could happen in the future.

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Not having an agent doesn't mean you’re not a professional artist. 

This one is important, having, or not having an agent does not, and should not make you feel any less of an artist than you are. It’s wonderful to have an agency you trust and want to be a part of, but being your true creative self and working on projects you love makes you a professional artist, and no one can take that away from you. 

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- Words by Skye as part of the Roar professional musings series.

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