What Makes for the Best News Talent Placement Agency?

November 5, 2019 by

If you’re looking to find the best news talent placement agency, there are many from which to choose.

But there are precious few who will truly put you first.

If you’re an experienced news personality, you need more than just an agent. You need a trusted partner – someone you know is honest and to-the-point, while demonstrating mutual respect for you.

That’s why it’s important you spend a fair amount of time finding the right placement agency.

Having someone like this in your corner is the key to getting placed where you wish to be geographically and in the appropriate size market.

So what should you look for?

How To Tell You Are Working with the Best News Talent Placement Agency

We can’t reiterate enough that not all talent placement agencies are created equal.

You want to work with an agent who has spent many years – even decades – working in the industry. It’s even more beneficial if he or she has actual experience running a newsroom.

Whatever the case, a highly professional talent agent will do the following:

  1. Connect You with the Right People

This is the first point on our list because we can’t over stress the importance of finding an agent who has connections. And they need to be the RIGHT connections.

As we mentioned above, acquiring an agent with experience running a newsroom is a huge plus. Having that experience means that he or she has built connections with a vast network of professionals in multiple markets and in all levels of the industry.

These connections make a huge different. An agent with such connections who maintains contact with these professionals knows exactly where there is movement in the market… even before the word gets out.

And because there’s this relationship, prospective employers will trust your agent. That way, you can be assured that your DVD will actually be viewed.

  1. Require an Interview

If you encounter an agent who is willing to sign you on without ever bothering to meet you, that’s a red flag.

A solid agent needs to talk with you to determine your strengths, as well as get a real feel for you.

The other purpose of the interview is to gain a complete understanding of what you’re looking for in your career. This will help him or her to place you in the most ideal location and market.

An agent who requests a DVD, resumé, and photo (for on-air talent) is one who is willing to do a thorough job.

  1. Offer a Contract with Clear Terms

Once an agent has determined that you and he/she are a good match, they will offer a contract. But it’s important that you pay close attention to the contract.

An honest and respectable agent will be very clear on what they offer and why they expect in return. They will ask that you commit to the agency and its placement process.

The contract should be well-written, easy to understand, and clearly lay out the benefits for both you and the agency. This demonstrates the agency has a foundation built on mutual trust and commitment.

  1. Commit to Your Development

A truly amazing agent knows that when he or she sends your DVD to a prospective employer, it’s essentially the first impression you’re going to make. So it has to be highly polished and professional.

Therefore, upon viewing your DVD, the agent should be willing to analyze your performance and offer practical suggestions that will further your development.

From there, they should be more than willing to work with you to further work on your DVD so that it is strong enough to handle the tough competition.

Look for an agent who has connections with talent coaches, as this offers a huge advantage when it comes to development.

  1. Be In It for the Long Run

When you’re looking for an agent, be sure to clarify what will happen once you find employment.

Even once you’ve “settled” into a job, it’s crucial to remember that your career is dynamic and ever changing. So the best news talent agents will request you send a DVD every month so that you can continue to work together on your career development process.

It may seem like a lot of work. But it’s this diligence that will help you advance in your career and take you where you want to go.

Make the Right Choice

When seeking the best news talent placement agency, it’s in your best interest to demand all of the above requirements from your agent.

You can also cut right to the chase and contact us today to talk to an agent who fulfills all of the above requirements.

And get your broadcasting career on the fast track to success.

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The Importance of Relationships in News Talent Placement

October 15, 2019 by

How well connected is your news talent agent?

In other words, how many people in the broadcast industry know your agent not just by name, but by his or her stellar reputation?

If you’re unsure, then it’s time to consider a new agent.

Because if your current agent doesn’t know the people and the players that fuel the broadcast industry, then he or she clearly doesn’t understand the importance of relationships in news talent placement.

And without those connections, your career could be placed permanently on hold.

The Importance of Relationships in News Talent Placement

Placing talent is something of an art. The key to successful placement of talent comes down to putting the right person in the right place at the right time.

A seasoned agent understands this.

But a seasoned agent with experience in the industry has a distinct advantage.

That’s because the art of placing talent is complemented and strengthened by the art of creating meaningful relationships.

And an agent who has worked for several decades in broadcast news has developed these relationships that allow him or her to make connections that others simply cannot.

So it’s not only about knowing the right people in the right markets, but it’s also about being KNOWN by the right people in the right markets.

This is what makes the difference when it comes to placement.

News Broadcast Is a Fast-Paced Industry

An agent with past experience in the newsroom is far more likely to represent a diverse group of news personnel – including on-air talent, producers, and managers.

This is the result of knowing good talent when they see it, as well as understanding how to make the most of it.

But even more importantly, they know the people at the top because they spent years creating relationships and friendships with them before they reached those positions.

Can your agent say that he or she has dozens of people who are now news directors, vice presidents of news, executive producers and managing editors who once worked for them while they ran news stations?

And that because of this, he or she is able to reach out to these highly successful people and – based on the relationship/friendship – they will actually take the call?

It’s an exceedingly rare agent that has these credentials.

Even so, if you’re working with an agent who can’t make these claims, you’re far less likely to keep advancing in your career.

The truth is, any agent can send your demo link to a news executive.

But when your agent knows two of the four news directors in a major city because he or she has special relationships with them, for example, you can be assured that your demos will actually be seen.

To put it another way, a relationship will not guarantee you a job. But it will guarantee that the right people will see your work.

Furthermore, your connection with that highly respected agent will also put your further ahead in the running.

Is It Time to Seek New Representation?

Now that you understand the importance of relationships in news talent placement, you’ll want to be sure that your agent has the right connections.

If your career has been at a plateau for some time, then you may want to consider a new agent – one with decades of news station experience who has a multitude of connections and knows every in and out of the business.

Contact us today to get in touch with just such an agent.

And get the placement you deserve.

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