Over the last week, I've been writing about agents. Their work. Their faults. How to best use them.
People use agents because they feel agents will get them gigs.
But people don't often stop to consider the value of themselves.
How are your marketing materials?
How are your skills?
Do you have something worth selling?
Does what you have match what potential employers need?
Are you the answer to someone's problem?
Know your value!
I see people on the Internet, talking about the importance of "branding." Branding, more often than not, means keeping your name out there and sporting the logo. Yes, that's part of the equation. However,
A powerful brand makes people stop in their tracks and rethink life.
Sometimes we feel we need a salesperson to find gigs for us and get our names out there. We receive gigs, but we're still not happy. We're not bringing our value to bear in a way that stops people in their tracks and makes them rethink life. Do you really need a salesperson?
Most likely, what we need is to enhance our marketing efforts. We need to redesign our brand and give our salespeople something to sell.
If you have a powerful brand and you need help selling, then an agent can do beautiful things for you and your career. Use the tips you've learned to spot the best representation contracts.
If you are not sure about your brand and you are not receiving the gigs you want, stop.
Don't get a salesperson.
Ask a brutally, honest friend to look at your materials and provide you with feedback.
Find a teacher who will tell you like it is. No fluff.
Find something that will reflect your unadulterated self to you.
Develop your materials.
Then, and only then, decide if you need an exclusive and dedicated salesforce connecting you with jobs.
Agents are not bad. They serve a purpose for those that need it.
I hope you've found this series helpful.
I hope you can use this knowledge to inform your situation and decisions.
I hope you can do more of the things that make you come alive and be the change you want to see in the world.
Agents - you've been pains in my ass and the best partners at the same time.
Musicians - we are all difficult, stubborn, mistrustful, artistic, introverted, extroverted, and passionate as hell - ALL at the same time. I love that about us.
I love you all.
