Tips for a Successful Relationship with Your Acting Agent

5 Tips for a Successful Relationship with Your Acting Agent

Sometimes, when you are first starting out in the entertainment business, things can get slow, real slow. When this happens, it will be easy to blame your acting agent rather than looking at your marketing habits, networking skills or communication efforts. Instead of always climbing all over your agent, try working in tandem with him. This will bring better results for both of you. So here, Explore Talent has put together a list of the 5 most important steps to having a successful and healthy relationship with your agent: 1. Communicate This is number one for a reason. Most actors think they only have to talk to their agent whenever their agent gets them work. That should not be the case. In order to maintain a successful relationship with your agent, the communication should start before the work even begins. It is important to make sure you both are on the same page with your career. Sit down and talk about your goals as an actor, the price range you want to earn, your schedule and your brand, among others. If your agent is not clear on things like these, they could become overly eager and send you on auditions for roles that do not fit the criteria you were hoping for or on the wrong date in the wrong city. It is the little details that will go a long way. If there are no gaps in your communication, both parties will be able to do their jobs flawlessly. You have to remember, your agent is the connecting factor between you and your dream job. As their client, you need to make sure that any and all information needed for any future acting audition is clear and up to date. 2. Follow-Up As an up and coming actor, you will need to go to a ton of auditions. While some of them are going to be major, expect for a lot of them to be on the minor side. However, no matter how big or small the audition is, you should always make sure to follow-up on every single one you go to. It is not your agent’s job to do this, yet. In the beginning of your career, go the extra mile and get feedback from any casting director you meet on your auditions. You need to develop a relationship with these industry professionals, so you can build a strong foundation of support as you work your way to the top. The more support you have from people in “the biz”, the easier it will be to book acting jobs. Do this for the first year of your career until your relationship with your agent is strong enough and it gets to the point where they can do it for you. This will show your agent that you have the initiative, drive and confidence to really succeed. 3. Expectations When you first signed up with an agent, were you expecting to talk to them on the phone every single day, only during weekends or never? Do they want you to call them after every acting audition? Do you want them to e-mail you once a month with jobs? These are only a few of the thousands of expectations you may have as new actor from your new agent. But, it is your job as their client to make your expectations clear to them. They are going to have some from you as well. Sitting down and ironing out every single detail will make it easier for both of you to succeed together and separately. 4. Gratitude You agent will not get paid until you book a job. So, pretty much they are working for free until your checks start rolling in. Let your booking agent know, as much as possible, how much you appreciate their help. You can do this by sending an occasional greeting card, an edible gift the whole office can enjoy or even just some flowers. The smallest gesture will show them that you are happy to be their client and are grateful to have them on your team. 5. Update To be a successful actor, you must be willing to change with the times. This means staying up-to-date with your headshots, resume, demo reels and social media accounts. It is also important to pop into your agent’s office every so often so they can see you. Try not to have a phone-only relationship. The more they get to know you on a personal level, the more they will remember and recommend you when they are talking to industry professionals. Your acting agent wants you to be great. Great communication, appreciation and respect will not only ensure a long lasting business partnership but a special one where you are both able to succeed at your dreams with work, with your income and with your careers.