Agents For Magicians, Should They Stay Or Go Poof?
Some magicians hate agents, while some like them. What is
better: having an agent or not having one? Which is which?
Believe it or not, the decision actually depends on you. For
some, getting agents is a very touchy subject. Usually it is
because some find it very hard to accept that their agents get
more money and earn more than the actual performing magicians.
So some magicians can not help but think: it is a trick! To help
you decide better about whether you should get an agent or not,
the following are some details and information which could help
you decide whether to have an agent or to get rid of the one you
already have.
One thing good about having an agent is that you save yourself
from the trouble of having to negotiate yourself. Usually, there
are instances wherein you can get higher talent fees if it is
not you who are doing the haggling. If there is an agent
involved, he or she would usually say that your services could
only be gotten if the fee is such and such. Doing so usually
means you would not create for yourself an unfriendly image.
Also, every time an agent makes money, so do you! The many
bookings an agent gets for you, the more money you would get
from all those gigs. This and minus so much of the hassle of you
having to schedule all your performances, collecting your talent
fees, practicing for your act, etc.
When you have an agent, all you need to do is show up and give
the best performance of your life.
Agents also invest money on advertisements that are all about
you. So you also save on the expenses and the stress of having
to think of where your name should be placed, what size should
your marquee be and all that jazz.
Another advantage of having an agent is that you look and are
considered more as a professional than if you do not have one.
It is so convenient to just show up for your performance and let
your agent do the dirty work.
Still confused? If you already have an agent and you are still
considering dropping him like a bad habit, maybe the following
details would assist you to better decide if you should do so or
not.
It is best that you talk with your agent and make an agreement
with him or her on how much you would want to receive for your
particular performance or engagement. Do not rack your brain
thinking how much your agent would get out of this. It is more
productive to think how much you would get out of that gig. If
your agent earns a little more than you do, so be it. As long as
you are getting the fee you want, that is okay. A good gig is a
good gig. Imagine who they will be getting in the future for any
more gigs. If they think of your agent, it is just the same way
that they will be probably thinking of you too.
It is also highly advisable for you to get a contract. A
contract makes your relationship with your agent more efficient,
straightforward and clear. Thanks to a contract, your agent will
not be able to hide how much they are getting. Have your agent
fax you a copy of the contract.
Let us face it, just like in any profession there are agents
that are good in what they do and there are those that are bad
in what they do. There are also those who are unethical. There
have been instances where agents and agencies merely concentrate
on money more than in anything else. Avoid having to do anything
with them. An agent or agency that does not call you even if a
client specifically requests for your services is bad news.
There are also agents that will get you to lower your price but
then still charge a customer with a large fee. Do not let this
happen to you. Stick with the price you think you deserve.
You should also try to avoid agents who give you various reasons
and excuses about this client being unable to pay because of
such and such reasons. This is a trick, and you as a magician
should know this better than the others.