Talent agencies near you

Warning signs of talent agency scams

Talent agency scams are amongst the most famous types of scams. But did you know that the scams operate beyond what you would expect? Scammers not only swindle you out of your money, but they can also get your private information and sell it to businesses for a fee. Warning signs of a fake talent agent include:

• Asking for payment upfront
• Pressuring you to sign a contract immediately
• Advertising their services in unusual spots, like classified ads or Facebook Messenger
• Approaching you first, in person or online
  
  

Real talent agents earn commission from a job they helped you get, not directly from you. Fake talent agents will confuse you with tricks and lingo to scam you out of your money and personal information. Avoid talent agency scams with some background checks of your own. Verify if you're speaking with a legitimate agency by searching their name and/or company online. Ask for referrals and about their clientele and history.

 

Pros and cons: Manager vs. talent agency

When you are looking to find a talent agent on your own, you're immediately faced with a decision: individual (manager) or a company (talent agency)? A manager and an agent (assigned through a talent agency) perform nearly the same tasks, yet there are key differences between their methods of operating.

• Location: A manager is often a freelancer. Many do not have their own office or operate out of their own home. A talent agent will be located at an established commercial building.
• Job search: Managers don't always search for jobs. They often solely represent you and work alongside you on a project.
• Commission: Agents are capped at a 10% commission, yet managers can take more, sometimes up to 20% of your earnings on a job.
• Base: Managers have a smaller clientele, which means you may be able to communicate more easily.
  
  

Whether you decide you prefer a manager or a talent agency, research to see who else they represent, read reviews, and ask about their history in the industry.

 

7 questions to ask a talent agent

Don't rush on your quest to find a talent agent. It's an important decision. The person you select will represent you professionally and can make or break your career. Interview different talent agents and agencies before signing with one. Try asking these questions during your initial search to determine which agent is a good fit for you:

• How many people do you represent?
• What kind of talent and demographics do you represent?
• How will we stay in contact/how will you alert me to opportunities?
• What is your professional reach? Are your connections local or country-wide?
• Are you part of a union? Would you be willing to accept me if I was or was not?
• Who are your connections in my chosen industry?
• What do you see in my future? What sort of jobs would you select for me?
  
  

Many professionals stick with their agents for a long time. A certain connection is important for the manager/talent relationship to be successful. If you do not click with the talent agent you are interviewing, you may need to keep searching.

 

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