Cold Calling an Agent

[SeptemberDay]

ok, hear me out. I know that it's most often considered bad form to call an agency. You should send in your packet and wait to hear from them. However, a well-known and successful talent contacted me and said that they wanted me to consider calling a few agencies and basically say "Hi I just did the announcing for the MTV VMAs....and I don't have an agent!" and to see what happens. Does anyone else have any thoughts on this? I've been pondering it over and though it flies in the face of what I've been taught, I'd love to hear what you think!

-September

[KaraEdwards]

Hey September!

I think it's a great idea for you to make some calls, especially in light of your recent successes. Just a friendly hello, this is who I am and what I've done, are you looking for new talent? You never know, and it certainly can't hurt you! (unless you are weird or pushy, which I know you are not)

Another thought is that you should send custom postcards announcing your Subaru and MTV gigs. Send them everywhere!!

I'm a believer that for every person not living in LA or NY that is able to be signed by the big agencies, it opens the door just a little wider for the rest of us. Of course, I'm pulling for you because you've earned it and you have the talent to back it all up!

Good luck!

[Julie Williams]

Absolutely call the agents!

Call and tell them what you've done and that you're seeking representation... and ask what their submission policies are. Would they prefer to receive your demo by email or snail mail?

Good Luck! Keep up posted!

[SeptemberDay]

well, I'm not getting hung up on! :smiley: A few times I've been put right through and the worst anyone has done was told me how to submit, so I suppose that's success. I actually spoke with Ann Wright in NYC and she told me the minute I move up there, she'd sign me, but I kinda like it here in Atlanta:(

[avitoots]

September -- I've got to disagree on this only because I know how busy agents can be. Sometimes my one agent who I've been with for some time is so busy she just says can't talk, bye. I'm glad you've had a bit of success with your cold calls, though. You should research the agencies online. Most of them have their submission policies on their website. However, I would suggest that you send a postcard to anyone and everyone saying "Listen for me as the voice of MTV and can't remember your other big job, sorry." If you do it by postcard then they can look at it at their leisure AND hang on to the postcard so when they have some breathing space follow up with you. Also, is there a chapter of Women In Film down there? I belong to the chapter in Chicago and met one of the top VO agents here in town who very kindly listened and critiqued my demo within two days. I've been trying to leverage my WIF membership into work by telling them I'm a fellow member, how can I help them out. Anyway, those are my thoughts.

Arlene

[Lee Gordon]

Is the well known voice talent who recommended this a client of any of these agents? If so, perhaps the best thing to do is ask him or her to place a call to that agent in your behalf.

[SeptemberDay]

Arlene..I looked into our local chapter, but it seems pretty dead. No new news since June. It looks like a great idea, but maybe it slowed during the summer.

Lee...in fact, they did give me the hook-up with a few places and it's working really well!


I've got 5 interviews this week and was able to send my demo directly to a person at Arlene Wilson/Ford. I also got to talk with Ann Wright herself and she said she'd love to sign me....if I lived in NYC. Which is kinda bringing up a whole other set of issues...

[annavo]

September--this is a great idea! I say go for it...with the following caveats:

1. Only make cold calls on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday afternoon. Like Arlene says, agents are super busy getting their existing clients jobs, so don't get in the way of that. Agents are especially busy on Mondays (returning all the calls not returned from last week) and Fridays (returning all the calls before leaving for the weekend), so the middle of the week is always better.

2. Call at the end of the day. I think between 5:00 and 5:30 is the best. This is the time when things have slowed down for the day, plus the assistant may have left already, and you will have an easier time getting the agent on the phone directly.

3. You totally need to work that MTV VMA gig!! DO IT!!!

4. Do not be afraid of the phone.

5. Do not be afraid of email either. You can always email the agent with the same intro line as the subject line...and include the link to where your demos live on line.

Also, for the lady in NYC who says she can't rep you unless you live there...follow up with an email..thank her for her time and offer, tell her you have a studio at home, blah blah blah, and if she ever starts working remotely with clients to give you a shout. You never know...

Keep us posted with your progress!

Bestest-
Anna Vocino
www.annavocino.com
www.breakintovoiceover.com

[speechlady]

Wow September! This is quite a learning curve you're on at the moment! Thank you so much for sharing it all with the rest of us. As "issues" go, those created by sheer success are probably the best kind, I s'pose, so congratulations! :-)

[Bob Bergen]

Hey!

As I'm writing a book on voice-over agents, one of the questions I've asked each is, "Do you mind cold calls?" Each agent, without hesitation, has said under NO circumstances should a perspective client cold call. Most didn't mind emails. But none of them had the time during the day to take cold calls and work for their signed clients. You may get lucky doing this. But I think you are better off sending an email, stating in the cover letter that the agent was referred by various people. Referrals are THE best ways to get signed. Include an MP3 of your demo. And I'd even make a 30 second demo of your MTV gig. I'd also concentrate on agencies who have departments that cover live announce gigs, since you've already proven you are bokable in that area as well.

BB

[Julie Williams]

I stand by, call the agents.

Now, I'm not saying you'll talk to the agent. You may get the receptionist...but you can get their submission policies...and you
may get to talk to a VO agent.

If you can't, then send demo/postcard, etc. Market the MTV thing cos it is PROOF to an agent that you can do big jobs. That you're not looking
for someone to get work FOR you... but someone to represent you because you're going to be working with or without them. That you ARE marketable.

[bobbin beam]

I think I'd take Bob's advice to heart. It makes sense, and most of the agent's positions on this matter have not changed much in at least 20 years, in my experiencel.

Of course if you're being recommended by someone already repped by that agency and that person has cleared the path to an intro, and the agent says OK, a phone call would be appropriate prior to sending your materials.

[Bob Bergen]

Hey!

When the agents I interviewed advised actors to not call, they meant don't call them. Calling the office is....OK. If you call the office/receptionist, a HUGE don't is DON'T ask if they are taking on new talent. They aren't!!!!!!!! Well, they aren't until they find a new talent they want. But no agent is actively looking for new talent.

Even if you are referred, I say contact/submit in an email. I'm telling you, it was unanimous that the agents don't like cold calls from perspective talent. The odds of getting them on a slow day where they can talk is slim. And even if they do take the time to talk, they fear you will be a high maintenance actor who might take up too much one on one time if signed. Plus, I don't want MY agent on the phone talking to perspective actors when they should be working for me! There are only so many agents out there, and it's hard to get second chances once they've passed.

If you MUST call the agents themselves because you can't control yourself, leave a message on their voicemail after hours.

OK-I'm done with my agent advice!!!!!!!! If ya want more, ya have to wait for the book to come out!!!!!!!!!! ;-)

[SeptemberDay]

ok, here is what happened with every agency I called except one:

Me:
"Hi! I am the announcer for the MTV Video Music Awards in Las Vegas this year and I am not represented right now. Could you tell me your submission process?"

Them: "Oh, really? What's your name?"

Me: "September Day Leach"

Them: "Can you hold for a moment?"

(Barry Manilow's "Mandy" plays during on hold)

Them: "I have someone who would like to speak to you. Do you have a moment?"

Me: "Yes!"


...and today I signed with my first agent:cheesy:

It seems like asking about their process wasn't too invasive and it was the receptionist's call whether or not to forward me along, plus they were able to ask the agent if someone wanted to speak to me right away. Sometimes I got an interview scheduled right away, other times I was given a direct e-mail address to submit to.

[AlexisAdair]

Well, Congratulations!

Sounds like you found the right way to work the cold call! And the whole MTV VMA name dropping doesn't hurt ;)

Congrats on signing with an agent! And on being pro-active! Using what you have is the key, and looks like you've done a great job of it! Yay, September!!!

[Bob Bergen]

Congrats!! Who did you sign with??

May the residuals be with you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SeptemberDay]

thanks guys!!

I signed with Sally Neal of Houghton Talent. Richard Hutchison is also looking at me and tomorrow I go in to see Talent Networks. Arlene Wilson called today and I should get a final yea or nay this week!

I've already had a couple of auditions and I'm just thrilled!!

[JoeActor]

Hey September - sweet news!

Way to work the promotional side (still working on that myself).

Congrats and Kudos!
Joe J Thomas
www.JoeActor.com


thanks guys!!

I signed with Sally Neal of Houghton Talent. Richard Hutchison is also looking at me and tomorrow I go in to see Talent Networks. Arlene Wilson called today and I should get a final yea or nay this week!

I've already had a couple of auditions and I'm just thrilled!!

[CarynClark]

Good job September!!

I never call. Only if their submission policies aren't clear on their web site... and that's happened... probably once. Other than that, I've sent emails, and then postcards. I think you definitely need to make a postcard telling about MTV and Suburu, and send it out.

Even though I said I don't call, your tactic/conversation that you laid out above is perfect, IMO. But, that would be the only way to do it. Way to go!!!

Also, I recommend prioritizing the agents so that you sign with those you want to and not with those you don't want to. Some contracts limit you to the number of agents you have, some are exclusive by coast, etc. Be sure you plan your path of attack in advance, and then have the fall back plan. Also, the "premiere" agents... those are usually by introduction only.

:)

[bobbin beam]

In the words of venerable Bob Bergen:

"May the residuals be with you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

[SeptemberDay]

Thank you ladies and gent!

I'm keeping it to two here in Atlanta, one in L.A. and one in NYC. I haven't settled on a NYC one yet and I'm working on getting ISDN installed before I do.

Residuals?? YAY!!!!:cheesy:

[voicy1stef]

Well done September! You're a WINNER!!!!http://www.ronnyjs.co.uk/Gifs/zz028.gif

http://www.ronnyjs.co.uk/Gifs/thewave.gif

[Joe Rodriguez]

What a great and inspirational story / thread. I guess sometimes you've got to do things despite advice to the contrary to get where you wanna go.