Anyone use an agent?
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- Scotch_Roman
Now that I've launched my new website, I'm giving serious thought to full-time freelance and eventually becoming LLC or Inc. or whatever. Partially because of the shitty economy, and partially because it's what I've always wanted to do.
Thing is, in my 6 years of professional experience I've only freelanced sporadically. Three years ago, the last time I was on the job market, I sent out a ton of self-promo packets that got plenty of attention from design firms and agencies, but none of the companies I contacted looking for freelance work. So, I'm not sure what the best way is to go about all this. I have one client right now, a pretty good one that will bring in consistent work, but there are specific sectors I want to target and have no idea how best to go about it.
Do any of you freelancers use an agent? If so, has it been worthwhile? If not, what methods of finding clients seem to work for you?
Thanks in advance.
- MrOneHundred0
Yes, but only when I feel like getting fucked in the arse.
- Scotch_Roman0
Not a staffing/headhunter agency mind you, but the sort of agents that typically represent photographers and illustrators. I know Mario Hugo, for example, uses an agent, or at least he did the last time I checked.
- Hurley0
well if you start a company don't think of it as freelance. You will be the Acct Exec, designer and manager.
Don't approach agencies for work, approach businesses..You can become their agency.
- forcetwelve0
i think build used to use thisisrealart
- MrOneHundred0
In my experience, an agent will not go looking for work for you, but will place you when the work comes to them. Then at some point they will start hassling for long-term contracts or permanent placements from where they get their biggest $$. At this point the design firm or agency gets jack of them and, vis a vi, you.
- permanent placement means that the agent will no longer make commission, so I find that a bit strangeMeeklo
- +1 Spot on descriptionXC01
- They have plenty of others lining up behind you for their ongoing commissions.MrOneHundred
- MrOneBumdredQ8N
- Meeklo0
- This tune reminds me of good times.Meeklo
- If I had an agent, I would totally put him on hold to this tune on the phoneMeeklo
- i used to listen to them a lot.refunktion
- Q8N0
- Scotch_Roman0
So what ways of approaching businesses works for those of you who are self-employed and staying afloat? How do you figure out which person you actually need to send your stuff to? Do you just pick up the phone? I know the approach varies from one company to the next, for example with corporations you'd try to go straight to their marketing director/VP, and with smaller businesses/organizations it would be easier to cold-call and ask who makes such decisions... Almost every bit of freelance work I've done to date has been through word of mouth, and that ain't working out so well besides the one good client mentioned above.
- Scotch_Roman0
I've sorta branded myself ambiguously on purpose, in case this does turn into a viable business.
- gung_hoek0
working with an agent could be the right thing for you. it´s just a matter of finding good representation. there´s also bad ones, indeed, but I guess if a firm has a respectable roster of artists, one can fairly assume it´s not a firm that fucks their people over.
- good point.Scotch_Roman
- Very true. I am pretty low-calibre, so my experience is in accordance, I guess.MrOneHundred
- boobs0
1) Call up the company and find out who there is in charge of making decisions about graphic design.
2) Arrange to meet with that person to find out their needs and to show them your stuff. If you get any kind of positive response at all, contact this person at regular intervals (like every two weeks) to keep them apprised of the fact you're still alive and talented.
3) Do this over and over with different companies until you have more work than you can stand.
- JSK0
No taxation with out representation.
- metal_leg_will0
I know it sounds cliché but networking is key. Team up with past colleagues. Account directors and project managers are shit people but usually maintain good contacts. In my experience, it's a pain in the ass to try to take on all the roles - sales, account management, strategy, design, copywriting and billing. I'm convinced small groups (3 or 4 people) can do the work of much larger "agencies" and make more money doing it.
- I agree 300%. Agencies are often so bloated.Scotch_Roman
- utopian0
Design reps are very difficult to come by, particularly good ones. And there are not to many out there. Your best bet, both short-term and long-term is to attend as many networking events that pertain to: design, new media, art, marketing, etc...
- OSFA0
- arthur0
What kind of work do you do Scotch_Roman?
I've had illustration agents in the past and have gone through long stretches without them. Just took on a new one 2 weeks ago actually, which I hope will be beneficial to both of us.
But, even when I had agents, I brought in 95% of my own work. I think it may be handy having an agent as supplemental income, but not as the main source, that's up to you. Some agents are lax and others want you to advertise this way and that and spend tons of money,which imo should really be their job, not yours. But I digress.
- who are you with? are they national?doesnotexist
- yeah, fairly well-known. We'll see how it goes, haven't been with an agency of this size b4: http://www.mendolaar…arthur
- not one of the more trendy and hip boutique agencies, but overall I've had negative experiences with those.arthur
- Scotch_Roman0
I do this kind of work:
- Scotch_Roman0
I can't remember if it's Mario Hugo, Alex Trochut, or some other designer/illustrator that has an artist rep with a fairly nice website... anyone know? Google isn't helping.
Thanks for the link Arthur, I might check them out... though it seems they focus mainly on representing illustrators, yeah?
- si scott as well, i know the site you are talking about but it escapes me
MSTRPLN
- si scott as well, i know the site you are talking about but it escapes me