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To Rep, or Not To Rep: That Is The Question

Question: What makes some artists work well with reps while others don’t use them at all?

You must have strong work that reflects what is being commissioned for the marketplace, but you should also be well organized and comfortable negotiating. You should know the value of the work for an array of markets and understand the rights that are being required for each project. If you have the time, energy, and skills to research and contact potential clients, then you will do just fine without an agent. It’s all about making the process smooth for all—meeting deadlines, negotiating fairly, understanding the contracts, and delivering beautiful work.

 




Can a Rep Guarantee Success in a New Market?

Question: I want to break into the market of a city that I don’t live in. Do I need a rep? How do I do this?

The real question is: Should you do this?

Before you actually move outside of your comfort zone, you need to really make sure that you should. Have you done a market analysis to understand whether you can be effective in that new region? Have you assessed the competition, your style and your capabilities and taken an honest look at the impact you might have there? Have you weighed the financial outlay you’d need to make to correctly market yourself, and calculated whether this investment will be worth it in the end?






How Reps Influence an Illustrator’s Portfolio

Questions: How much brand and/or art direction do most reps give illustrators for their portfolio?

I work for the illustrator and want to be on the same page, so I get pretty involved in showcasing each illustrator’s portfolio in order to brand or showcase his or her body of work.

Portfolios: Portrait of the Artist

Many times, I see artist websites that have too much work and too many styles, which doesn’t let us know who the artist is.

5 Ways to Make Long-Distance Relationships Work With Your Rep

Question: How important is it that I live near my rep? How can I acquire a rep in a major commercial city if I live in a small town?

Years ago, I would have said it’s very important to live near your rep and even more important that you live in a major commercial city. But nowadays, I wouldn’t say that at all. The world has become a small enough place that it doesn’t matter where you live.

Creative Collision: To Rep or Not to Rep

Question: To rep or not to rep?

Ask five creatives, and you'll likely get five different answers: When it comes to the hiring process, does an artist need a rep? Do creatives prefer working with the photographer or illustrator's representative, or do they want the talent to reach out directly? In this video, creatives answer these critical questions:

Artist & Client Relationship Q&A with Clare O’Dea, Owner, Clare Agency LLC & C20 Agency

Interview with Clare O’Dea of Clare Agency LLC. & C20 Agency

Welcome to The Lab’s third round of questions, interview style, with Clare O’Dea. With over 15 years of experience in the photography industry, Clare chats with us on what it takes to form those crucial, yet special bonds with the photographers she represents, and the clients they work for.




Creative Collision: Hiring the Unknown

Question: What motivates you to work with unknown talent?

How can you land a gig if you’re a budding talent without a big name, big rep, or list of clients as long as the Nile River? If you feel hopelessly caught between needing experience to get work - and needing work to get experience - keep your chin up: creatives do hire unknowns. In this video, you’ll learn right from the mouths of creatives, buyers and reps:

Inspiration and Knowledge Q&A with NY Photographer Rep Doug Truppe

Interview with Doug Truppe of Doug Truppe Represents

Most of the artists I speak to want nothing to do with their marketing, but want to do everything possible with their marketing. Some are quite proficient and understand how to put together a marketing and promotional plan that maintains good client-relations and increases business. Others, however, struggle with putting together a comprehensive plan and executing it in a timely manner. With all of the multitasking an artist's job entails, you have to ask yourself "what activities will benefit my business the most?"

Thankfully, there are great resources out there: consultants, artist representatives, marketing managers, assistants and fellow artists that you can incorporate into your business planning process. Although these people can assist with the workload, add to the creative process and help provide direction, they are not the end-all solution to an artist’s marketing mix.




Taking On an Artist Representative

Question: How do I know when the best time is to look for an agent or rep?

The question that you really need to ask is why do I want a representative?

  • Do I need someone to help me with my marketing?
  • Do I need someone that can assume responsibilities for showing my portfolio and for making presentations to potential clients?
  • Am I prepared to partner with someone to creatively extend my business?

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