If you’re a TV news anchor, reporter, meteorologist, or sports reporter and you’re in the market for hiring an agent, you may be wondering where to start.
To find the best fit when vetting an agent, it’s important to do due diligence. Because anyone in the industry can TELL you they’re an agent.
So we’ll offer up what we deem as the most relevant and hardest-hitting questions to ask a TV news talent agent.
The Best Questions to Ask a TV News Talent Agent
Maybe you’re brand new to finding a TV news talent agent. Or perhaps you’re not happy with the one you have now and want to be sure you do it right this time around.
Whatever the case, here are six of the most important questions you should present to a prospective TV news talent agent.
Where Have You Made Placements in the Past Year?
Any agent you’re considering should be able to provide you with a list of markets and stations where he/she has made placements over the last year. An agent with a more extensive list of placements is going to have important connections and clout in a wide variety of cities and markets.
Keep in mind that placements historically tend to happen in clusters. So an agent with farther reach is going to have the inside scoop as to what’s coming up and where. This is especially key when the market is not as active. A savvy agent will be playing it smart by thinking ahead.
What Is Your Ratio of Male/Female/Minorities New Talent?
How well-balanced is the agent’s representation roster? Be wary of an agent whose “portfolio” is too homogenous. Regardless of your own race or gender identity, you want an agent who knows how to represent everyone. He or she is always on the lookout for where you’re going to be in the most demand.
As a woman or minority, it’s especially important to ask your potential agent if he or she attends conferences that represent these groups. For example, an agent who attends the National Association of Black Journalists convention is going to have more insights and connections than one who avoids such gatherings.
Do You Represent Many Others with My Specific Job?
It’s a good idea to know how many reporters, anchors, sports reporters, or meteorologists your prospective agent represents. Because if, for example, you’re a meteorologist looking at an agent who hasn’t repped any other meteorologists, that’s a red flag.
Sure, you might think that that gives you the upper hand because you’d have no competition. But in reality, decision-makers at stations are going to seek out agents whom they know represent a good volume of people working in multiple capacities.
How Many Of Your Clients Are Currently Seeking Work?
It’s fine to ask, “How many clients do you represent?” Most people seeking a TV news talent agent do. But what’s really more important is how many of an agent’s clients are looking at any given time. You want an agent who can tell you flat out that it’s never more than 15%. This indicates that the agent is going to go the extra mile to be very specific and pointed in his/her searches for the perfect placement.
Do You Have Relationships in the Region(s) I’m Seeking?
This seems like an obvious question, but many clients forget to ask this. The simple fact is, but working with an agent who has relationships in whatever region you’re seeking is going to give you a distinct advantage. Sure, it might seem old school. But sometimes old school is the best school.
What Are Your Connections with Those in the Know?
Similar to question #5, this one takes it a little deeper. You want to know what kind of relationships the agent has with news vice presidents, directors, and general managers. In other words, how connected they are with the decision-makers. When these folks trust an agent, they’re going to be very transparent about their specific needs.
Be Sure to Vet Carefully
By knowing the above six questions to ask a TV news talent agent, you’re already a step ahead of the game.
So if you’re ready to try them out on some of the most experienced and well-connected TV news talent agents in the country, contact us today!
We’ll help you get your dream placement.
