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X-4 ART PRO NEWS

I. FINDING AN AGENT

What is an agent? An agent is competent, legal, friendly, an insider, and knowledgeable.

II. WHAT MAKES A GOOD AGENT?

A good agent is ...

...committed to your business,
...a lawyer by trade, or equivalent,
...persuasive,
...a promoter,
...committed to your case,
...has background in accounting,
...works well with security and authority,
...is competent in your field of art,
...specializes in your trade,
...knows union relations,
...understands technical benefit plans,
...knows media placement, i.e. New York,
...should be disciplined, 90%, and strong,
...to be a good agent, the person tends to be independent, or a maverick type.
...a good agent also relates to their average 1%, eccentric, perfect client.

III. WHAT DOES AN AGENT DO FOR YOU AT 10%?

Your name, your taxes, the legal, and your contract. They do your benefits, your table talk, your identity, your media rights, and your security. They also control your real estate investments, your independent sponsorships, event management details, your tee-shirts or concert jerseys, your commercials, and your photographs. This is called "P.R." and retirement planning.

IV. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO HIRE A GOOD AGENT?

Every small business should have a good lawyer and an accountant. This is obvious. Every Corporate "C" should therefore have an advertising, accounting, art, and legal department.

Every incorporation, or empire, is based on a building, Congress, a rule, corporate legal, a sales team, and a department store. Every elite athlete or #1 artist should have a book, media, a television spot, publicity, and destination, or a "good contract".

V. HOW DO I FIND A GOOD AGENT?

Do your home work, ask around, visit local authorities. i.e. Bar Associations, Guilds, Non-Profits, Museums, the N.F.L., etc. Ask your industry. Research the candidates, get referrals. i.e. Check their records. Attend meetings and ask the pros who know your business' real world. Always utilize free bar associations, players meetings, actors events, and free trade seminars to find that one agent that is serious about your business with a qualified reputation to sit at your meetings in your industry with command. This is about respect.