| One of the most common complaints I hear from | | | | researching. |
| actors involves finding the right representation. | | | | Reach Out On the Cheap |
| Snagging a solid agent or manager can be tricky, time | | | | People often think good marketing costs money, but |
| consuming, and expensive. A lot of actors experience | | | | there are numerous effective ways to get in touch |
| the old catch-22: "I need an agent to get work and I | | | | with agents without breaking the bank. You might |
| need work to land an agent". What's an actor to do? | | | | market to your target agents by emailing, calling the |
| Whether you feel like you don't have enough time or | | | | office, sending a fax, dropping off a headshot, or |
| money to grab the attention of an agent, or you | | | | asking a friend to make a referral call on your behalf. |
| question whether or not you're ready for | | | | Not only are each of these steps free or inexpensive, |
| representation, you can begin planting seeds with | | | | but they're also highly effective. Remember, you don't |
| prospective agents easily and inexpensively. All you | | | | have to knock an agent's socks off with your fancy |
| need to do is commit to these small steps. | | | | marketing package. You're better off applying the Rule |
| Apply a Laser Beam Focus | | | | of Seven and sending out small, inexpensive touches |
| I'm a big believer in "doing less more often", so narrow | | | | on a regular basis. |
| your agent list to a manageable target group of about | | | | Make It Personal |
| 10 agencies. Ask for recommendations from fellow | | | | I'd say the most effective way to secure good |
| actors and any industry connections, such as casting | | | | representation (other than booking great work) is to |
| directors, producers, acting coaches, etc. Do you have | | | | rely on referrals. Think about who you know that might |
| a peer with representation whose career you admire? | | | | be willing to recommend you to their agent. Do you |
| Research their agency. The Hollywood Creative | | | | have a teacher or friend who could provide a solid |
| Directory, available as a reference book in many | | | | recommendation? If so, ask them to lend a hand in |
| libraries, and IMDB Pro are good resources to help | | | | your agent search process. If you can't get any |
| locate names and contact information for anyone in | | | | referrals, then be your own best referrer. Show up to |
| the industry. Don't forget to plug in to online forums | | | | your prospective agent's office and drop off your |
| such as the Hollywood Happy Hour Yahoo Group. | | | | materials. Ask for a meeting and share why any agent |
| You will be amazed by how easily you can access up | | | | would benefit from working with you. |
| to date information about any agent you may be | | | | |