Is it a must to get an agent?

[rneldable]

Hey Rob, That was a brilliant take you got there. Thank you...

[jsgilbert]

Hey everyone I just became spokesperson for Uncle Frank's Bait and Used Tire Shop. Thanks to Robert Jadah! I would never have thought to contact them. I sent them my demo and they fell in love with the read I had done for Morty Weiss Music Emprium and Reupholstery Center. You may remember the tag line "FLuff em, stuff em, buff em."

I love Uncle Frank's newe tag line If your fishing or your Nascar needs a little more pop, come to Uncle Frank's Bait and used Tire Shop"

RObert, you better be careful or I may steal that Saskatchewan ROughriders annoncer gig from you.

[JoeActor]

Hey JS... sweet gig - kudos, man!

So, this wasn't thru an agent. It's good to be connected, yes indeed ;-)

Cheers,
Joe J Thomas
www.JoeActor.com

[ranalanricard]

Thank you Sir Robert of the Frozen Tundra.

I'm new to the biz ... have taken professional lessons ... had a CD produced ... continue to practice, study, practice, study ...and audition on V123 (for the moment), and have submitted my demo to numerous agents in the S. Florida area and have only had one that showed any interest (albeit very little).

Your advice makes sense. It seems the agents (at least in this area) aren't going to give you much of a 'shake' unless you've already developed a bit of a track record of success.

I've just recently contracted for one and possibly three audio books. If they're a success, then perhaps that will impress an agent to take a closer look.

Ran

[Scott Pollak]

Might as well toss my hat into this ring here.

EVERY AVENUE that can possibly bring you business is important. That includes agents, personal contacts, website presence, membership in online sites, etc.

Having an agent, though, typically requires some degree of prior success. Agents are flooded with more wanna-be starry-eyed mediocre talents than dogturds in the petwalk area at the rest stop. Combine that with the downturn in the economy and many agencies aren't even currently taking on new talent.

I had to spend several years building up my own success via the online sites, personal contacts, local work and so on. Once I began to achieve decent success, work and income, agents were MUCH more interested in me. I'm currently with three agencies; two here in Atlanta and one in another state. I get a moderate amount of leads, and a little bit of work from them. The work I HAVE landed has paid extremely well, but overall comprises only a tiny fraction of where my overall work comes from.

So actively pursue all available means of generating business, but know that no one really cares as much about your success as you do, therefore you will be the one working hardest to bring the jobs in. Having an agent is definitely icing on the cake.