Booking Agent Jobs - Music Industry | Booking Manager, Theatrical Agent, Booker, Agent, Booking Representative

Booking Agents can also be called Booking Managers, Theatrical Agents, Bookers, Agents, or Booking Representatives. Their main responsibility is to secure engagements of the artists or groups for which they are working. If their act is unknown to the general public, the Agent must work to book engagements. On the other hand, if the artist is known, clubs and promoters will contact the Booking Agent to get the act to their venue.

After a Booking Agent makes a deal, he or she sends out copies of contracts to be signed by the Promoter, Club Manager, or whoever booked the talent to perform. These contracts include all necessary information like the name of the group, the date of the concert, concert times, the number of required performances, how much money will be paid for the performance, and in what manner it will be paid, etc.

As a rule, Booking Agents require a percentage of their money up front, with money due when the contract is signed. While the amount varies, it is usually about 50 percent. The agent collects the money, takes his or her percentage, and then pays the group. The remaining money is usually paid at the performance. When agents send contracts, they may also have a rider attached that stipulates any extras the group is to receive. These extras can include expense money, hotel rooms, food, limousines, or instrumental augmentation.

Agents in large agencies are often separated into categories. For example, one agent may handle classical music acts, while another handle country music acts. Agents representing top artists may set up complete concert tours for the acts, dealing with promoters all over the country. Agents work with the artist's Manager and record company during concert tours, deciding where concerts will be most effective.

In many states, booking agencies and agents must be licensed in order to hold employment; licenses are usually obtained through state agencies. To find new talent, Agents often audition new talent to see if it's an act they want to represent or not. In addition, many agents attend showcases, clubs, etc., looking for talent to book.

Depending on the circumstances, Agents may represent a client exclusively or nonexclusively. Similarly, Agents may represent a client exclusively in one area (personal appearances) and non-exclusively in another area (concerts). In terms of the number of acts the Agent can represent, they can pretty much represent as many acts as they can handle, and they'll often book artists who compete with one another in the marketplace. Agents basically strive to build up a roster of clients, aiming to sign clients who command large fees.

The Agent is responsible to the artist and his or her Manager. Most agents spend seven to eight hours a day on the phone trying to sell acts or negotiating for the acts.

Salaries
Booking Agents are paid on commission, receiving a percentage off the top of the artist's fee. Commissions vary, but they usually range from 10% - 20% of the act's per show gross income. If an Agent is working in an agency, they may be paid a salary plus a percentage of the monies they bring into the agency. Those Agents that make the most money are the ones who handle more than one act, bringing in anything from $200,000 to $1,000,000 or more per year. Of course, those just starting out as Agents make much less, but average salary is difficult to estimate due to the number of variables.

Employment
It is extremely difficult to break into booking on a large, successful scale. But, entering booking on a local by booking local talent (or even their own band) allows for better prospects. Instead of working on their own Agents can work for an agency, but agencies usually do not book major talent.

Advancement
Agents can advance by beginning locally and then moving on to booking larger acts. They can also advance by gaining entry into a regional agency where, after obtaining experience, he or she might be able to move into a major agency. Agents frequently become talent buyers for concert halls, clubs, arenas, and other venues. Agents with large rosters sometimes start their own talent agency.

Experience, Skills, and Personality
First and foremost an agent must possess sales ability because they are eventually selling a group or an artist. Thus, they must be aggressive, as much of the selling of acts is done on the telephone. Successful Agents of major groups may stay on the phone pushing their acts for seven to eight hours a day, and sometimes more.

As is the case with most jobs in the music industry, Agents must be able to work under extreme pressure. This pressure is made up of Acts constantly calling to see if they have new jobs and Managers calling to tell the Agent they want more money for their acts. Clubs even call to negotiate booking an act for less money. Plus, even after everything is set up, the group might cancel. All things considered, the Agent must be able to keep his or her cool under these conditions.

Book groups in your local area. Make sure the groups you book know that you will be taking a percentage. This won't provide a lot of income, but it will give you valuable experience in this type of position.
Consider calling clubs in your area to try to set up a meeting with the owner or club manager. You can check to see if they need entertainment for their clubs. Let them know that you will hire the entertainment under their direction in terms of their budget, style, etc. Then place an ad for bands looking for work.
Always try to establish some form of contract as financial protection for yourself.
You might have to accept an entry-level position as a Secretary, Receptionist, or Mailroom clerk to get started.
If you are familiar with the business and have some experience be persistent. Agencies often say that if you can sell yourself to them, you can certainly sell the acts.
Look into training programs.