Why choose an agent?

You are planning an event and want to book entertainment. You know a couple of guys in a band that plays down the road at that bar with the crazy name. Maybe you should call them. Then you look on the internet and find dozens of groups of all shapes and sizes playing everything from goth rock to sacred steel and a myriad of other musical styles. Hmmm....what should you do?

In town there are two or three agencies that specialize in booking entertainment. Maybe they are worth a call. But wouldn't you be paying more for a band you could get on your own terms?

Having been involved with booking and producing live entertainment for almost thirty years I have probably heard most of the stories, both good and bad, that people have from their experiences booking entertainment both with and without a booking agent. I have to confess that some of my colleagues leave much to be desired. Then there are others that are consummate professionals and well worth the fee they charge.

How does it work? Most agents will charge an artist a commission for helping them to secure work. In the State of Florida professional agencies are licensed by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation in the same manner as a realtor, although there isn't the extensive educational program that exists in the real estate profession. Talent Agents are bonded and insured and required to follow a set of guidelines set forth by the State. The regulations are all designed to protect you, the consumer.

A good agent will take much of the guess work out of selecting the right entertainment for your event. By asking a myriad of questions he or she will build a profile and then be able to provide you with options from which you can choose. Maybe there will be audio samples, maybe some video. Perhaps you can go and catch the artist at a performance, as long as it isn't something private that is by invitation only. However the process unfolds the agent will only succeed by providing you the client with timely information on a quality entertainer that is right for your event.

Music is perhaps one of the most subjective items you can purchase, the quality and value is purely determined by an individual's personal tastes. How many times have you been involved in a discussion where someone is talking about an entertainer and how wonderful they thought the person was when you couldn't stand them and considered them to be awful? An agent has to negotiate that 'personal taste' minefield and provide you with entertainment that will appeal to the majority of your guests. After all, if they are happy then you are happy. Right?

Entertainment agents aren't mind readers. They should be good listeners...asking questions and then wait for the answers. They will ask you what your budget is. Not so they can extract every last dime from your wallet (although I am sure there are some that would!) but so they can provide you with options within your budget.

They will have seen the entertainers in person. They will know how the entertainers are 'off the bandstand'. My company doesn't work with entertainers who feel the need to become guests at the event and feed from the buffet or belly up to the bar on their breaks. That is not their job. Most agencies have similar guidelines and the entertainers they work with are of the same mindset. After all, they are looking for referrals and repeat business.

With all that agencies do to promote quality entertainment that is professional, reliable and for which they are accountable it may just be worth the while to build a relationship with your favorite agent and allow them to help you the next time you are planning a celebration.

My suggestion is find an agent with whom you have a rapport, work with them and benefit from their experience and expertise. You may be pleasantly surprised as it will save you a lot of extra work, stress and maybe even a few dollars as most artists will only work with you once but they rely on the agent for dozens of performances each and every year!