How to Use Social Media to Find an Agent
Step one: build your list
First thing’s first: you need to know which acting agents or managers are available in the market you are submitting in. The easiest way to get a comprehensive list is by visiting the SAG-AFTRA website’s list of representation who are franchised by the union. From there, it’s time to take that list and make your way over to IMDb Pro where you can visit the profiles of each agent to get more information on which individual agents are under that group, where they are located, which actors are currently on their roster, and even contact information. For this stage, don’t feel the need to get too nit-picky, we’re just building our big list!
Step two: research to determine top targets
Now that you have a big list of options, we want to refine that list to a top 5 - 10. Each actor will be looking for different things when searching for representation depending on their specific career goals, experience level, credits, and look. Don’t feel like you must be interested in certain agents because one of your other acting friends is, or because you think a certain agency is “popular”. I’ve seen it time and time again that the same agency could be perfect for one actor and a terrible fit for another. Be sure to have your goals in mind as you are narrowing down the list of agents to prioritize. Here are some of the things to keep in mind as you are working on this step. These prompts are designed to help you save time and focus your efforts on the right targets for you:
Am I being really honest with myself regarding where I am at in my career: talent-wise, credits, look, etc.?
Does this agency seem to only work with named celebrities? Or do they have a mix? Or do they work with many unknowns?
Are their current actors booking? More or less than other agencies? Why might this be?
Step three: follow prospective agents on social media
Once you know who your top “wish list” is, figure out where they like to spend their time on social media and give them a follow! You should do this with an “official” agency account as well as an agent’s personal accounts (if they are public). Most folks in the entertainment industry tend to spend the most time on Instagram and Twitter, so those are great accounts to look at first. From there, you can try TikTok or Facebook. To make sure you’re really staying on top of things, you can “turn on notifications” so that you’re alerted each time they release a new post.
Once you’ve found your top agents on social media, put your detective hat on and take some time to comb through their previous posts. What can you learn about their personality, work style, and types of clients they work with? What types of projects are their actors booking most or least? How active are they in their market? You can learn even more about your options by paying attention to their posts!
If an agent doesn’t have any social media profiles, or seems to be inactive on social media? Don’t worry! That is perfectly normal and isn’t a sign your chances are ruined, but it does mean it will be a bit more challenging to research and learn about that group’s style in advance. Like with all parts of our acting careers, we control what we can, and then keep moving.
Step four: make sure posts are strategic
BEFORE you try to connect with agents on social media…you want to make sure that your social media profile and posts reflect your personal brand and highlight the qualities that will be appealing to reps. Because your profile is the first place they will go review if you catch their eye on Instagram, TikTok, or Twitter.
So it’s important to ensure that when they arrive at your profile, it’s clear who you are, what kind of talent you have, and the personal qualities you bring to the table. Do your posts display your strengths? Your professionalism? Your talent? Your personality?
Step fIVE: engage
In the weeks leading up to your submission, engage with the agents on social media. “Likes” on their posts are a great baseline, but you really want to look for opportunities to leave thoughtful, genuine comments on posts that resonate with you. These types of comments are more likely to get you noticed, and perhaps spark a conversation that could be the start of a positive relationship (AKA “planting the seed” that might support your submission to their agency). As with all networking in the entertainment industry, you want to make sure you are always leaving comments that are professional, respectful, friendly and creative!
Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine, but do be sure to re-read your messages before hitting that “send” button to make sure the intentions are clear. And MOST importantly of all - never send a direct message to an agent or manager without permission. It’s all too easy for DMs to come across as spammy or pushy. Stick with public engagement and/or the agent’s outlined method of professional communication (as listed on their website).
Step six: Submit Your Materials
After you’ve done your research, prep work, and engagement it’s time to submit to the agencies on your list! Make sure you follow the submission instructions from each agency, have all the required materials included, and a strong pitch message. Then you send out those submissions, cross your fingers, and keep moving. Remember, there is never any guarantee when it comes to this process. Everyone’s journey is different and there is truly no rhyme or reason. Many agents across the globe are flooded with thousands of submissions for representation each week and month, so sometimes your submission won’t be seen for months (if at all). Don’t give up hope! Keep training, keep networking, and keep creating your own work. Everything will come in time!
P.S. THERE ARE THREE WAYS I CAN HELP YOU WITH YOUR ACTING CAREER RIGHT NOW:
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