Do I Really Need An Agent For My Voiceover Career? #WoVoChat 3-25-15

Is An Agent Necessary For

My Voiceover Career?Twitter Chat

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

12pmPT/2pmCT/3pmET

#[email protected]

#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org

Featuring

Bobbin Beam & Chuck Davis


Q1: Why do people always think they

need an agent? #WoVoChat

A1: Agents are still the conduit to some of the best

paying jobs. #WoVoChat

@CourVo

A1: Having an agent carries a little bit of

legitimacy/status in the business. #WoVoChat

@CourVo

A1: For some, it’s a sign of “having arrived” in the big

time (not necessarily true). #WoVoChat

@CourVo


A1: It’s old school. That used to be the main way vo talent

got work. #WoVoChat

@CourVo

A1: As an unrepresented talent, I know there are good,

high-paying opportunities I’m not seeing. I want a shot

at ‘em! #WoVoChat

@scottmedvetz

A1: I think many new talent assume this is how it works.

Especially those with little or now marketing experience.

#WoVoChat

@MarcScott

A1: Is it an ego thing? It can’t hurt to have an agency vouch

for you. #WoVoChat

@FabregasMelissa


A1: Isn’t it kind of like using a travel agent these

days? Who does that anymore? #WoVoChat

@LorencePamela


Q2: When SHOULD you think about

getting an agent? #WoVoChat

A2: When you’re booked so much you need an agent for

billing the work. #WoVoChat

@bobbinbeam

A2: When marketing and promotion can be fulfilled by

a talent agent. #WoVoChat

@bobbinbeam

A2: For access to auditions and clients you may never

get without the agent. #WoVoChat

@bobbinbeam


A2: You have steady repeat clients and are ready for

more work. #WoVoChat

@bobbinbeam

A2: Not before you’re really ready and can deliver for

yourself and your agent. My 2 cents. #WoVoChat

@DerekChappell

A2: Not until one is ready as a talent. Your #VO chops

better be sharp if you’re playing in a bigger ballpark.

#WoVoChat

@hireanthony

A2: Turning this around slightly, is there a level of

experience needed first before they’d even consider

you? #WoVoChat

@MelsBritishVOs



Q3: Should you have more than one

agent? #WoVoChat

A3: Not needed but, most folks end up with more than one.

#WoVoChat

@ChuckDavisCreat

A3: Location. For example, I have three. West Coast,

Central/Southern and East Coast. #WoVoChat

@ChuckDavisCreat

A3: Another reason is that agents work in a specialty. ie:

Commercial vs. Promo. #WoVoChat

@ChuckDavisCreat


A3: Another avenue is Hybrid Agent/Production houses

as additional representation of sorts. #WoVoChat

@ChuckDavisCreat


Q4: What should you expect the agent

to be doing for your talent? #WoVoChat

A4: Send auditions and connect you to those who can hire

you. #WoVoChat

@bobbinbeam

A4: Negotiate fees on your behalf. #WoVoChat

@bobbinbeam

A4: Collect payments. #WoVoChat

@bobbinbeam


A4: Share your demos with producers and casting

directors. #WoVoChat

@bobbinbeam


Q5: What should you – as the talent –

be doing for your agent?#WoVoChat

A5: Check in with them periodically (weekly?) to curry

the relationship. #WoVoChat

@CourVo

A5: Keep your demo updated and send it to them

when you do. #WoVoChat

@CourVo

A5: Let them know what kind of work your booking

elsewhere. #WoVoChat

@CourVo


A5: Ask them for feedback on the reads/auditions your

sending out. #WoVoChat

@CourVo

A5: Seems like the best thing you can do for your

agent is give the client the best possible results.

#WoVoChat

@RAStine

A5: Funnel #VO jobs to them as appropriate if you have

a geographical exclusive contract with them.

#WoVoChat

@hireanthony

A5: Deliver quality work on time. Be available for

auditons. #WoVoChat

@LorencePamela


A5: You can attempt to bring in new work but most

agencies will shun that as “amateurish”. It’s a slippery

slope I’ve found. #WoVoChat

@sourceelements


Q6: Should you be expected to pay

your agent a fee to be signed?

#WoVoChat

A6: Never pay an agent a representation fee, only

commissions. #WoVoChat

@bobbinbeam

A6: Commission paid on work booked and no

additional fees. #WoVoChat

@bobbinbeam

A6: Never pay an agent for classes. #WoVoChat

@bobbinbeam


A6: Never pay agents for photos or demo production

services. #WoVoChat

@bobbinbeam


Q7: What is the standard range of

commission most agents get today?

#WoVoChat

A7: Non-union, typically 20%. #WoVoChat

@ChuckDavisCreat

A7: Union 10%. Typically added on top of the work.

#WoVoChat

@ChuckDavisCreat

A7: No additional fees on top of that! #WoVoChat

@ChuckDavisCreat


A7: The only possible exception is an OPTIONAL web

hosting fee. #WoVoChat

@ChuckDavisCreat


Q8: What should you know when

working with an agent or multiple

agents? #WoVoChat

A8: Know your commercial conflicts, and tell your agent up

front . #WoVoChat

@bobbinbeam

A8: Keep agents up to date how sessions go, and

keep demos fresh. #WoVoChat

@bobbinbeam

A8: Don’t be a pest. Stay in touch occasionally & ask

advice. #WoVoChat

@bobbinbeam


A8: Is agency commission added to talent fee or taken

out? #WoVoChat

@bobbinbeam


Q9: What makes you an agent

favorite…besides booking?

#WoVoChat

A9: Follow submission specs to a tee. #WoVoChat

@ChuckDavisCreat

A9: Proof your submissions for audio quality/script

accuracy. #WoVoChat

@ChuckDavisCreat

A9: Having your agent handle negotiations and

contracts for new work you bring to him/her. #WoVoChat

@ChuckDavisCreat


A9: Real Time Casting is a good source for leads that

you can share with your agent…I don’t get anything for

saying that. #WoVoChat

@ChuckDavisCreat


Q10: I’m not booking. Should I fire

my agent? #WoVoChat

A10: First, reach out. Is there a solution? #WoVoChat

@ChuckDavisCreat

A10: Communicate. What are you booking? Are

auditions the right fit? #WoVoChat

@ChuckDavisCreat

A10: If you have another offer in the same market. Ask

first, Agent A might be OK with that. #WoVoChat

@ChuckDavisCreat


A10: Really, you could simply back burner this agent.

You’ll probably be dropped eventually/anyway.

#WoVoChat

@ChuckDavisCreat


Join Us for the next #WoVoChat on

Wednesday, April 8th

12pmPT/2pmCT/3pmET!

Topic: Running A Successful

Freelance VO Business

Check out the entire 3-11-15 #WoVoChat at

our Storify:

bit.ly/WoVoChat_7

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Do I Really Need An Agent For My Voiceover Career? #WoVoChat 3-25-15

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Transcript of Do I Really Need An Agent For My Voiceover Career? #WoVoChat 3-25-15