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Getting a Music Agent

Your complete guide to how to land a music agent for touring, recording, and sync licensing.

What Does a Music Agent Do?

In the music industry, "agent" typically means a booking agent who secures live performance opportunities — concerts, festivals, tours, and residencies. They negotiate fees, handle contracts, and build your touring career.

This is different from a music manager who handles overall career strategy, or a record label that handles recordings. Most successful artists have all three working together.

Types of Music Representation

Booking Agent

Secures live performances, tours, and festival slots

Music Manager

Overall career strategy, day-to-day decisions, team coordination

Sync Agent

Places music in film, TV, ads, and video games

Publishing Agent

Handles songwriting royalties and composition placements

Music Agent Commission Rates

  • Booking agents: 10-15% of live performance fees
  • Managers: 15-20% of all income (not just live)
  • Sync agents: 10-15% of sync licensing fees
  • Touring costs: Agent commission is on gross, not net after expenses

How to Land a Music Agent

Learning how to land an agent in the music industry is all about proving you can draw a crowd. Here's the roadmap:

1

Build Your Live Presence

Agents want to see you can draw a crowd. Build a following through regular gigging, even at small venues. Track your ticket sales and audience growth.

2

Create Professional Materials

High-quality recordings, live videos, professional photos, and an updated EPK (Electronic Press Kit) are essential.

3

Research the Right Agents

Look for agents who work with artists at your level and in your genre. Major agencies want proven acts; boutique agencies develop emerging talent.

4

Get Warm Introductions

In music, relationships matter enormously. Get introduced through managers, promoters, or other artists on the agent's roster.

5

Prove Your Worth

Agents take on artists they can book. Show momentum — growing streams, sold-out shows, press coverage, festival appearances.

What Music Agents Look For

Green Flags

  • • Consistent live show attendance
  • • Growing streaming numbers
  • • Professional live performance
  • • Strong work ethic and reliability
  • • Existing management (often required)
  • • Clear artistic vision and brand

Red Flags

  • • Agents who charge upfront fees
  • • Promises of specific festivals/venues
  • • Require you to buy into showcases
  • • No verifiable roster or bookings
  • • Very long exclusive contracts
  • • Commission over 15%

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