Wouldn’t it be great if you could just do a google search for a talent agent and voila, the perfect one for you pops up on your screen? You call them, they agree to represent you and then you become a huge star.

Yes, that would be great. Unfortunately, it doesn’t happen that way. There are many steps in between your decision to showcase your talents to the world and being able to do that. Finding a notable talent agent is one of those steps.

Just because there are many steps in finding the best talent agent, it doesn’t mean you cannot realize your dreams. In fact, many new stars are being discovered in all industries every day.

There are many reasons why you need talent representation from an agent. Your talent agent will help you with entertaining booking, time management, and monetization opportunities. They will help you take your career to the very next level.

Below are some things you can do to help your chances of getting noticed and finding an agent who can help make your dreams come true.

Know the Best

One thing you don’t want to do is get picked up by a talent agent who is terrible at what they do. It is your job to find out who are the best talent agents. You want to be an A-lister, after all.

You can start learning about the best agents in the business by checking out The Screen Actor’s Guild directory. It’s also a good idea to research the celebrity or performer you admire and find out who represents them.

Prep Work

To get the best, you must be your best. This doesn’t mean you have to be better than all other stars in your industry. It just means you must be at your best, bringing you’re A game to the table.

If you meet with a talent agent and you haven’t been perfecting your skill, it will show, and you will be rejected. If you are partying every night after your performance rather than continuing to work on your talent, this will be evident.

Take the time to prepare for your meeting with a talent agent. Show them your best work.

You can do this by taking classes. If you are a writer, take writing courses. Maybe you’re a musician, so take voice lessons. If you are an actor, work with an acting coach.

There are many online websites you can check out to get educated. YouTube channels such as SAG-AFTRA and the Hollywood Reporter get a lot of attention for providing inside information.

Build Your Platform

This can be one of the reasons you will get rejected. Authors hear this too often. Even the best writers can get rejected due to not having a large platform.

Building a platform simply means creating your presence, getting people to follow you, developing your own engaged fanbase.

You can build your platform both on and off social media. Don’t just thank your audiences from the stage, go out and meet them. Sign autographs. If possible, get their contact information (email, social media) and tell them to like and follow all your social media pages.

You cannot just hope to see each person return to your concerts anymore. You must find creative ways to communicate with them at least once a week, preferably two or three times.

Beef Up Your Portfolio

You want to showcase your best work to a talent agency. This means don’t use selfies for your portraits. Hire professionals to help you put together the best representation of you. Create demo reels that rock. And not the ones your mom loves. Let’s face it, she loves them all.

Get feedback from an objective insider who will tell you the truth about your work before you submit to a talent agent.

Networking

You don’t become a star and then start meeting important people in the industry. It happens the other way around. Networking with other actors, directors, screenwriters, novelists and musicians in the business will start getting your name out there.

When you network, be professional. At the same time, show your personality. Everything in moderation. Don’t be star-struck and let your inner nerd take over. Be calm and confident. You want to leave a great first impression.

Attending events, even the ones that sound boring, can help with networking. You just never know who will be there with you. It’s the old right place, right time kind of experience you are seeking.

Every networking opportunity you take can enhance your resume.

Be an Intern

There is no better way to learn the industry, as well as meet the agents you want to represent you than by working for them for free.

Internships may not always be the easiest jobs to get but if you can, you can learn a great deal about what it takes to make it big.

Working for a publishing company, record label, talent agency or television network as an intern looks great on your resume. And it can be exciting. Depending on how bad you want to make it, you will do even the smallest jobs to get your foot in the door.

Highly successful people are busy all the time. Sleep is an afterthought until they reach their dreams. They are driven by ambition and will stop at nothing until they reach their goal. In this case, getting representation.

Never Give Up

Sure, you may have to work some unlikable jobs until you reach your dreams. And yes, it may take years before you are recognized for your talent. That does not mean you should give up. Instead, dig down and try even harder.

You have the grit it takes to be successful. Don’t set a goal that says you must give up on your dream if you have not reached success in a few years. You may miss the biggest break of your career in year four.

Keep trying until you reach the dream.

If you are turned down by agents repeatedly, find out why. Then make the changes you need to make to reapply to an agency. Everyone needs improvement in some area. Be willing to go that extra mile. The right talent agent will notice!

Jason Swartz

Jason Swartz is the President and Founder of Alliance Talent, a world-leader in the entertainment business. Growing up in Los Angeles with a passion for music, he took his local childhood concert business and made in an international concert booking company. Specializing in entertainment booking, social media branding and monetization, and music publishing, Jason was the first to scale social media monetization for the music industry across Facebook. Today, he runs Alliance Talent, a leading entertainment company and concert promoter; focusing on concert bookings, talent representation, brand management, and social media monetization.