5 Ways to Avoid Getting an Agent

Sometimes we struggle to know the right thing to do. We end up telling ourselves stories about what we should or shouldn’t do to get signed by an agent.

It is possible that some of the well-intentioned things that you do will actually harm your chances instead of helping.

Here are a few things you might want to avoid if you DO want to get an agent.

ONE: Pitch Too Soon

Are you ready? Great if you are. Wouldn’t want to hold you back. But it is possible that you might pitch too soon. Before you’re ready. Before you’ve got enough to convince them to trust you. If you’ve no professional experience at all, even if you’re prettier than a picture, they’re unlikely to even reply to your email. Do you have anything say to an agent, other than ‘represent me?’

TWO: Letter Bomb

Please don’t send letter bombs. A real letter bomb is a mindless and indiscriminate killer. And that’s what your mindless and indiscriminate letters do. If they aren’t targeted to that particular agent, if they are generic, with an update of CV and photo, you’re killing your chances of being seen. That also includes emailing them with BIG video and photo files – send them links within your email.

THREE: Bribes

Don’t send gifts, incentives, or any other kind of bribery. It’s cute. But it’s a professional relationship you’re after – and Can’t Buy Me Love.

FOUR: Taking them Hostage

Don’t turn up at the agent’s office (or home for that matter!) and insist on seeing them, or waiting on the chance they’ll see you. You’ll look like a weirdo!

FIVE: Sending them unsolicited self-tapes/Showreels

If they’ve asked, great. But if their books aren’t open, it’s just going to be ignored, or seen as annoying.