Musicians take note. I frequently get approached by new-ish (and established) artists wanting me to be an agent for them. I take on additional artists very rarely, but I always try to have a listen, even if (sometimes) it’s only for a few seconds. If the only link to your music is via Spotify, however, I’m not going to listen to that. At all. Full stop. Have the track on your website, or better still a live video (which can be embedded from youtube easily enough). Don’t try to make me go to a site I hate, which wants me to sign up or sign in before I can listen. I simply won’t do it. You could be the second coming of the Beatles and I’ll never know (or, for that matter, care). If you want someone to listen to your music, make it easy for them. Please.
If you’re going to approach an agent – any agent, not just me – here are some tips:
Have an up to date website with audio, video, a short biog/write-up, a current gig-list, and a great publicity photo (available to download in hi-res). A well-designed downloadable poster won’t hurt either. Make sure your contact details are upfront and obvious.
Don’t just send a weblink to the agent, include why you’re sending it. It might seem obvious to you, but said agent might also book for a venue or a festival.
Show the agent you’re serious about the business. Say in the email if you have a mailing list (and how many are on it). Say if you employ a publicist to do local gig promo (or if you are red hot on doing this for yourself). Say what range of gigs you’ve already done (just local or Cornwall to Scotland). Say how long you’ve been in the business and why you think you need an agent right now.
It might be a polite no-thank-you from the agent, but if they are interested they will ask questions, so make sure you can supply a list of gigs/festivals you’ve done since Lockdown, how much you got paid, and what audience numbers you pulled in for gigs. This is really important. If you only pull 25 audience members, it’s probably not worth signing on to an agency until you’ve built your profile. An agent will charge you (probably) 15% of your gig income and 15% of not-a-lot is not a good business proposition unless you think you have a serious upward trajectory about to happen.
Rant over. Good luck.
Folk Music Agent Tells All 