Agents: What To Say?

So I'm going to start sending out my headshots/resumes to agencies, and I was just curious to know what I should say, what shouldn't you say? Or is this even a smart way to go about it? I know nothing, so all advice is welcome.

Ignore that post, because it's not true. It may take awhile to get a response...but that post did not help.

1- It's a good way to start. I'd start to send out about 5-10 weekly, and keep track of who you send them too.

2- After 3 or so months, start sending reminders. Not another full headshot, but maybe a postcard with your original pictures, and a few others. It's easy to get something like that made for cheap from vista print.com

3- Send reminders every few months, people will eventually take notice. And I've been called, as have friends of mine, just days, or weeks after I've sent a headshot. It all depends. But really really research on who you are sending your stuff to. Make sure they are a company you like, don't sign with just anyone. Do your homework.

4- Personally, and it may take a lot of time, I don't send a "generic" cover letter. I gear it specifically to the person I'm sending it too. But keep it short. They don't want to read a novel.

5- When you're in a show, especially if they offer industry comps (which any show should) send out another mailer asking them to come. You never know what may happen.

Hope this helps.

The ROSS REPORT is a great source to find out about all the people you'd be sending stuff to.

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Its also common for a friend to walk your headshot into their agent. Agents will take note if a signed client brings them someone interesting. Another angle is to book something and walk into an agency handing them something to negotiate. "Hi i book work myself...i just need someone to handle the contracts." Its a win win for them. They get to negotiate for you and thus get paid without even having to sign you.

Break legs!

For a commercial agent mass mailings do work. For a legit agent it is best to send them when you are in something or have a gig to tell them about. But there really are no rules anymore.

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"For a commercial agent mass mailings do work. For a legit agent it is best to send them when you are in something or have a gig to tell them about. But there really are no rules anymore."

That's the best advice here. I worked with an agency (a big one) when I first moved to the city and yes, 99% of headshots/resumes were never even seen by the actual agents. The interns went through them and pretty much discarded them unless they were either in something (with a postcard for the show attached or a promise to get them tickets to whatever show it was) or the resume was so impressive it couldn't be overlooked. I remember days an agent would say "Go through these and look for someone who went to (insert name of school here)". If there were any resumes matching that, they were put aside that day. Everyone else got put in the recycling bin. It really is just a crap shoot.