Modeling - How to find an agent

I often get asked by aspiring models, "How do I find a legitimate agency?" My advice is to start in your local market. If you were going to look for a job in any field, you would first put together your resume and then you would approach job opportunties where you live. I would start the process of finding an agent the same way. May sites refer you to the "Yellow Pages," but you need to realize that anyone can say they have an agency and put their phone number in their... in many cases it is test photographers posing an agent.

The second place people often look is the web, but many sites post outdated information, of which you spend your time researching a company that has not been around for years. Have you ever heard the phrase, "Time is money!" Well it is true here as well. If you are serious about pursuing a career in modeling or acting, you need to protect your time.

You should first start by researching any agency within a 3 hour driving distance from where you live. You then need to gain access to a list, then you start checking out their web site. If your list does not include a web site, you should call and ask if they have a site. Remember, the more research you do now, you will give you a better idea of what the agency is about and what questions you should ask in your interview.

At Peter Glenn Publications, we publish the MODEL AND TALENT DIRECTORY, an annual directory that lists over 2,000 model and talent agencies all over the world and ones in your area. Each agency that is listed has been reviewed by us prior to us approving or declining their listing and each company was required to provide detailed information about their agency. In addition, you can access a more detailed profile and contact at http://www.pgdirect.com

When reviewing their site, you should print out things such as their contact and about page, plus if they offer a list of the clients they work with. One way I judge an agency is the quality of their web site. If their site, looks like it is outdated or something from the 80's, then you should question if this is the type of company that you want to reflect your image, if their are your agent. For those sites that represent your style, you should then contact them and ask for the New Faces contact name, if your list or their site does not provide you with the name. Also, some sites advise how a aspiring talent should go about interviewing with their agency... obviously you should print these instructions and follow them. The agency would not have provided you with this info, if they did not want you to follow them.

Then you should submit 2 pictures that capture the real you with your stats and a cover letter to the new faces agent. More on how to take those pictures in our next blog...

In closing, as the Executive Producer of CosmoGIRL!s So You Want To Be A Model Contest, I am often asked how do you know if the agent I meet with is the right agency for me? Here is my advice:

"An aspiring talent first job is to get an agent, there are things one can do to get a leg up on the competition, most of which is doing your homework and researching the agency. It is NOT important to just get represented... it is more important to get represented by the RIGHT agency, how loves you and your look!"

Good Luck!