To be a SUCCESSFUL Actor with an Agent - Consider This

I know plenty of actors with agents and managers who are not successful. Whether you’re looking for a rep for the first time (and feel you’re ready for one) or you’ve been with an agent/manager and aren’t feeling successful, consider these first steps. You may feel like you’ve taken some of them, but ALL of them are required to be a SUCCESSFUL actor with a rep…

MAKE THE CHOICE TO MAKE ACTING YOUR BUSINESS

Target the agents that represent your type/level of experience.
Research something about the representative that you can include in your message that acknowledges them. Don’t make it all about you.
Invest in quality marketing materials that include great headshots and a properly formatted resume with “tricked out” online casting profiles to stand out from your competition and make the best first impression.

CONSISTENCY IS KEY

Have a written marketing plan in place before you begin your agent campaign. This includes dates and how you will contact them…what you’ll say in the first submission and the follow ups if you haven’t heard back.
Create your target list – between 6 and 10 agencies/mgmt. firms ONLY. Too many reps at once become unmanageable in your plan. No mass mailings.
Contact each one at least 3 times within one month of the first submission.

RECOGNIZE YOUR TALENT HAS VALUE

Cover notes should say what you provide besides talent. Why you? What is your particular value to that particular rep?
Know your specific archetype and why it sells.
Know and point to what a particular agency is looking for when considering you for representation. Speak to that.

$$ MONEY $$

Consider they have kids in college and a mortgage to pay and that they are looking at you through green colored glasses. (and also that that is OK because it’s their business!)
Position your commissionable credits first – paid work vs. chronology.
Can they sell you to casting directors with your current materials?

TRAINING

Choose acting teachers who have name/reputation value on your resume. And of course, are also great teachers!
Consider the kinds of acting classes that support you making money. Who are their working alumni? Does that teacher have great industry relationships?
Research the best class, teacher, school by Googling “best in your city” (need to put the quotes in when searching)

WHO THEY’LL KNOW

Put names of teachers/directors/CDs who have great reputations on your resume.
Name production companies and theater companies instead of unknown directors.
Recognizable titles of plays, films, and TV shows go first.

If you’ve taken these first steps, the next most likely step will be a meeting. In my next post I’ll share what you’ve got to have prepared for a face to face. Feel free to share your comments and questions and I’m happy to answer!