Thread: to agent or not to agent

he peeps!
can I have some advide please! I'm currently doing ok for myself as a performer but wondered if getting an agent might help speed thinds up. I've heard a few horror stories though and did get approached by a fake agent once- what to do?
x

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Personally I'm not sure they are worth your while, if I'm recommended an act by an agent I'm put off immediately as I feel I’m paying extra (agents fee) for no added value to me. I prefer to deal with the just the performer, however if they proven contacts with promoters who only deal with specific agents then I guest that’s fine.

Skinny Pete x

Originally Posted by luliblue

he peeps! can I have some advide please! I'm currently doing ok for myself as a performer but wondered if getting an agent might help speed thinds up.

To be of interest to any reputable agent, you need to have a marketable profile. Unfortunately this only applies to the tiny proportion of burlesque performers who have cracked the corporate circuit.

Reputable agents won't touch the burlesque club circuit for two reasons:

1. There isn't enough money in it. For example, if a performer is paid £100 for a club performance, an agent would expect to see only £10-£20 of this (working on a 10%-20% commission rate). Given the amount of time and management that bookings normally need, it's impossible to make money this way.

2. Most club Promoters don't work with agents - FACT! Why would a club promoter pay an agents commission on top of performer fees when:

• They're probably not making that much money from their event in the first place.
• The agents are only sourcing performers from the same places as the promoters themselves - eg MoB, MySpace, Facebook etc...
• Dealing with agents adds an extra layer of bureaucracy and responsibility onto arrangements that they prefer to keep informal.

Originally Posted by luliblue

I've heard a few horror stories though and did get approached by a fake agent once- what to do?

We have actually lost count of the number of people who have started agencies that have fallen by the wayside. More often than not, these people have absolutely no idea about what's involved and the sheer hard work and people management that's involved.

Unless you are at the top end of the circuit, performers need to be EXTREMELY wary if they are approached by someone asking to be their agent. It might sound harsh, but more often than not, their profiles will simply be used as 'filler' to flesh out their websites to make it look like the agency is doing the business for lots of performers.

MoB used to run an agency when we started up, however despite having about 200 performers on the books, the top 5% of the performers accounted for 99% of the bookings. We stopped the agency about 3 years ago and not only did our business massively increase, but the small number of performers that we actually manage appreciate that we are able to dedicate more time to their careers.

If a performer plans on getting an agent, they need to ask themselves "what makes my act genuinely original and marketable to the higher paying corporate circuit?"

In a nutshell 'Cherry Generic' need not apply.

Originally Posted by James

To be of interest to any reputable agent, you need to have a marketable profile. Unfortunately this only applies to the tiny proportion of burlesque performers who have cracked the corporate circuit.

Reputable agents won't touch the burlesque club circuit for two reasons:

1. There isn't enough money in it. For example, if a performer is paid £100 for a club performance, an agent would expect to see only £10-£20 of this (working on a 10%-20% commission rate). Given the amount of time and management that bookings normally need, it's impossible to make money this way.


2. Most club Promoters don't work with agents - FACT! Why would a club promoter pay an agents commission on top of performer fees when:

• They're probably not making that much money from their event in the first place.
• The agents are only sourcing performers from the same places as the promoters themselves - eg MoB, MySpace, Facebook etc...
• Dealing with agents adds an extra layer of bureaucracy and responsibility onto arrangements that they prefer to keep informal.

We have actually lost count of the number of people who have started agencies that have fallen by the wayside. More often than not, these people have absolutely no idea about what's involved and the sheer hard work and people management that's involved.

Unless you are at the top end of the circuit, performers need to be EXTREMELY wary if they are approached by someone asking to be their agent. It might sound harsh, but more often than not, their profiles will simply be used as 'filler' to flesh out their websites to make it look like the agency is doing the business for lots of performers.

MoB used to run an agency when we started up, however despite having about 200 performers on the books, the top 5% of the performers accounted for 99% of the bookings. We stopped the agency about 3 years ago and not only did our business massively increase, but the small number of performers that we actually manage appreciate that we are able to dedicate more time to their careers.

If a performer plans on getting an agent, they need to ask themselves "what makes my act genuinely original and marketable to the higher paying corporate circuit?"

In a nutshell 'Cherry Generic' need not apply.

Excellent advice James and a refreshing perspective

Thanks to you both for your advice, maybe I just need to keep on doin' what I'm a doin', there are a fair few sharks out there and its hard to see who's genuine. I've only been approached once to be part of a burlesque agency but on the bellydance side I get approached A LOT! Part of me thinks it may help push my act and or cut out a lot of admin for me but, if I'm getting gigs on my own perhaps I should relax and see what happens... Food for thought, cheers chaps xxx

It's worth noting that promoters do talk to each other (well I do anyway), I've often reccomended acts to other shows, it a case of the more shows you do, you more you can expect to gain, particularly if your acts are unique. So you move around doing gigs under different established promoters, maybe do some for free if it's a charity event etc and your profile will grow.
Unless you're really terrible of course Lol! xx

My Agent is great. She 100% genuine and is really helping me raise my profile.

It really is a personal choice, but I do that it is definitely worth your while to have someone else on your side professionally.


xxx

Originally Posted by luliblue

Part of me thinks it may help push my act and or cut out a lot of admin for me but, if I'm getting gigs on my own perhaps I should relax and see what happens... Food for thought, cheers chaps xxx

Hi hun, if you want to cut down the admin side so you can focus more on performing and creativity perhaps you could get a burly PA.
I remember a while ago a fairly successful performer (I can't remember who off the top of my head) was talking about hiring a girl to answer her emails, organise her schedule, deal with bookings and stuff and do a bit of stage maiding for her and in return this performer would introduce her to the scene and help her get her with act creation and getting a first footing as a performer in her own right.
I don't know how that ended up panning out for her but it might be something worth considering to free up your time for more fun stuff. I suppose it depends how much admin you have to wade through!

Thanks Emerald, that sounds like a great idea, I spend my whole day on the computer doing admin and then off to work performing in the evening- its hard to balance! I will put some feelers out. x

Originally Posted by Skinny Pete

It's worth noting that promoters do talk to each other (well I do anyway), I've often reccomended acts to other shows, it a case of the more shows you do, you more you can expect to gain, particularly if your acts are unique. So you move around doing gigs under different established promoters, maybe do some for free if it's a charity event etc and your profile will grow.
Unless you're really terrible of course Lol! xx

Thanks SkinnyPete! I'm gonna blow my own trumpet and say I'm NOT terrible (lol!) and yup, maybe just getting on out there is the best way, maybe an agent would not be the best option..ho-hum xxx