Let's talk about agents!!

[paula 0]

For those of you that have agents, could you tell me a bit about it all, as in:

When you contact one what do they expect from you? What will they need to know?

And just exactly how much work can they get you, and what the sort of cut is?

 

Also if any of you are around London any suggestions on who to contact.

 

Your help would be much appreciated as I have never gone down this route before.

 

 

 

 

[ChrisPointon 0]

Hi Paula

 

I think you've already read my opinions on agents several times before http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/fear.gif , however it isn't meant to put DJ's off, just to make sure that they excercise some caution when choosing the correct one. I think that Liquid Trax's debut here 3 weeks ago, proves that people are no fools when it comes to weighing up a good and bad agent, but even veterans can get caught out with offers of high earnings and promises which often aren't kept.

 

The basis of a good agent is reputation, as you've done here, ask for people in the same area as you to recommend a local agent, or a national one who has cover in all areas.

 

Don't be tempted to pay a subscription unless you've checked them out, Most GOOD, ESTABLISHED AGENTS will be happy to pay you on the basis of results. For example, they will only charge you a percentage of the booking fee when you have got the confirmed booking and contracts have been exchanged.

 

A lot of agents will charge a commission on top of what you usually charge. For example if you charge £200 then the agent will usually charge their client £230, and keep the £30 as commission, whilst passing you your £200 fee. I prefer this method personally because there is no risk of the agent bumping up their commission once the booking is completed and then sending you a big demand for commission fees above what was originally agreed.

 

Don't deal with agents who work from hotmail addresses, if they are a successful business then they will have paid £5 for their own email and domain registration, equally make sure they have a landline number as well as a mobile number advertised, and ask them for their address. If they are not willing to give you any of this information then walk away quickly and don't look back.

 

Some agents will charge you between £10 and £100 just to join their agency. Ask yourself WHY and then ask them!. Many successful agencies have existed for 20 or 30 years on purely commission related earnings, so ask yourself why these others have to charge a subscription fee, if they have stacks of bookings to pass on http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/smile.gif . I am not saying that every agency which charges a subscription is dodgy, but it is a case of buyer beware, ask questions, ask for opinions and if something doesn't seem right, then it probably isn't so trust your instincts. After all, if you join an agent on a commission basis and they fail to get you bookings, then what have you lost?. However, if you pay £100 to join an agency who then vanish 6 months later then you are out of pocket.

 

Once you contact an agent then they may wish to come and visit a venue you are working at, or obtain some references before booking you. However some may be happy to give you a 'trial' booking at a venue, often the agent may appear at this venue without letting on http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/smile.gif .

 

When you contact the agent find out what sort of work you will be expected to be doing, what areas you will be expected to cover. Also find out to see if the agent expects you to cover 11th hour bookings (last minute bookings) which means that you may be expected to do the odd 5PM call out on a Saturday http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/scared.gif . Make sure that the functions are suitable, for instance if you hate kids, it is not much use going on an agents' books who deals mainly with childrens entertainment.

 

Be upfront with the agent, if you don't want to do certain functions or venues then tell them right at the start. Be willing to forward updates of your availability as and when it changes.

 

Don't expect agents to work miracles, sometimes they can get you work every week, other times it may be 12 months since you last heard from them. Bear in mind that the New Boy or Girl may be at the bottom of the list for work for a while, and only get the gigs that no bugger else wants for the first few bookings!. Thats life unfortunately.

 

Also make sure that the agent confirms with you their policies, make sure that you get a copy of the contract for every booking, and read through the terms carefully. Make sure you pay careful attention to see what time you are expected to arrive, any dress code, their policies on playing on beyond the contracted finish time etc.

[mikeee 0]

Someone call my name http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/042.gif . I did promise some time ago to do a write up for the forum http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/bigstar.gif. I started then stopped then started again, and stopped again. Well I'm up to line two, so I should be finished by the summer http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/laugh.gif

[DiscoStudio 0]

Most bars and clubs in most town and City centres tend to opt for the Agency approach as it takes the hastle out of looking for and vetting their several DJs.

 

The other reason they prefere this is that agencies tend to give them a *Real" invoice with a VAT number and this way bigger companies like Yates's and Livingstones etc don't end up having to pay the tax on an expense they can't verify because the tax office can't locate the person who aparently wrote them the invoice.

 

In this respect agencies usually only take a fixed fee of say £20 or £25 per DJ per night, which isn't too bad.

 

I am quite against the idea of a Mobile DJ agency though, I just agree with Chris on the points he has made above.

[centrestagediscos 0]

just as you get good and bad dj's the same also applies to agents, i had a really good one once,who got me work in greece and goa if i wanted it he also had places like chicago rock on his books and every thing was contracted.

 

you also get dj's who pass work on but take a cut, and often making a far bigger % than they let on, also they cancel work and unlike a private client youve got no deposit ect ect.

 

it all depends on how busy you already are, you could use the money you lose on agents commisions on extra advertising promotions ect then you can name your own price.

 

 

[Dj_Kray 0]

Hi Paula

 

I started djing on my own 10 years ago but was only working 2 weekends a months which was ok at the time but after about a year of that a agent contacted me as he had seen me at a gig ,he wanted me to work for him he charged me 10% to 12% and got me a gig every sat mainly pubs and wmc but this was a good learning curve while working for this agent the biggest agent in my area contacted me and asked me to work for them full time them working as my sole agent I did this and was always pretty much booked up every fri sat and all of xmas this time it was more better hotel work and much better paid but I had to pay them 17.5%. but seeing as even after paying them there % I was still earning more money than before but now after 7 years of working for them I have out grown them and think it will be better to work for myself as my agent has taken me as far as he is able.

 

Sorry for the ramblings http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif My experience with agents was good but I think they can only take you so far but if all you want is hassle free work and don’t mind earning a little less they are good.

 

[C.S 0]

I love agents Paula , without one i wouldnt be stuck in the arctic celebrating my 21st wedding anniversary today http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/fear.gif

[paula 0]

Well congratulations Chris http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif

[FrankieJ 0]

In the early days I used to use an agent when I lived in london, he used to take 50% of the DJ's earnings got tottaly ripped of and he was earning an absoulute fortune. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/nono.gif

 

Im now in contact with another mobile DJ down here in Somerset and he rings me when ever he gets lots of calls in for discos and doesnt take any commision at all.

Edited March 24, 2005 by FrankieJ

[ChrisPointon 0]

QUOTE

Im now in contact with another mobile DJ down here in Somerset and he rings me when ever he gets lots of calls in for discos and doesnt take any commision at all.

 

That is the best 'Agent' agreement you are ever likely to get, better to make an agreement with other DJ's in the area to pass on work which you are unable to do, and vice versa, rather than pay a commission to somebody to do essentially the same thing.

 

I'm surprised that more DJ's on the forum aren't adopting a similar policy, especially as we seem to have lots of DJ's from within the same areas. I'm happy to say that although there isn't many DJ's here from Cheshire, the few that are, are all talking to each other, and working together with regard to mutual advertising, attending Wedding Fayres and refering work etc http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/thumbup.gif.

 

Would be nice to see DJ's in other area's following suit, especially as on Dan's poll - many DJ's here have voted that they would like to see more meet up's between members, why not arrange one for your area? http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/smile.gif .

[Kingy 0]

Whilst in principle I dont like agencies, I am guilty of double standards in as much as I have worked for them in the past and would do odd jobs in the future with the proviso that I know ALL details of the job and costs to client etc. I also insist on my terms for payment. seems a bit "Prima Donna" maybe, but its how I work.

 

The guys on here offer some good advice regarding the agents to avoid. If you are unbsure at all I would use one that one of your buddies are happy with.

 

Remember: It is ILLEGAL to charge just for registration of your details. Walk away if this is required.

[Dukesy 0]

Have worked for several agents.

 

Was 'well paid' by one agent who took 25% of the whole fee, and 'under-paid' by another one who took 15%!

 

All the time I was receiving work from the main (sole) agent, I was not allowed to use or advertise my 'Disco Name' and only my first name.

Didn't see it as a problem at the time, however, when I left the 'main agent', ended up at the 'bottom' (as no-one knew 'Discodirect') and had to start all over again (advertising, free gigs, any available work taken, etc).

5 years of sole agency work was great but the downside was 5 years of being 'out of the loop'.

 

I did get to work in lots of nice venues under the agency - as I see it, clients are as varied now than the ones 'supplied', so no change there!

 

Pro's and con's aside, if the 'money' is good and the work is available - why not consider?! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/thumbup.gif

(It can be a good learning curve too!)

 

But if you are available for 'sole agency' work and none is available - http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/rolleyes.gif

[OK KARAOKE 1]

As you`re probably aware by now I`m cutting down (or out) disco / karaoke work in favour of singing and playing like I used to in the last Century http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif

I`ve DJ`d for 6 years and never used an agent - and wouldn`t.

But I`ve used agents extensively in my band and solo singing career for 40+ years. Not through choice but because clubs prefer to work via agents most of the time, and then try it on with; "Can we book you for next Octember the 32nd... we`ll book you direct so you don`t have to pay the agent`s fee . . .err, of course we`ll pay you less as well http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/sad.gif

I am already in touch with a local agent who heard I`m going back "gigging". The fees he`s offering are less than I`ve been getting with Disco, and are indeed less than I have managed to wangle for a couple of self-booked venues.. Here`s where experience and stubbornness come in handy... His normal commission rate is 15%. I have got him to agree to take only 10% if he wants to book me out, my reasons being;

1/ "I didn`t call you, you called me"

2/ "I can get more for a 2 hour kids` party round the corner than you`re offering me to travel 75 miles! - and the kids` party is cash in hand http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif"

3/ "I`m trying to earn a crust, not finance your next new BMW"

---------

Although it often doesn`t appear so, the agent is there to WORK FOR YOU - not the other way round. If you are good at what you do then you can call the tune (groan). If you`re not good then take what you can get.

------

I`m just glad that I didn`t sell of my CDs as it looks like I`ll be doing a bit more DJ-ing for a while http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/rolleyes.gif

Edited March 24, 2005 by OK KARAOKE

[Ian Stewart 0]

Paula,

 

rather then work for one agent, get yourself on as many agents books as you can, most will charge you a set rate per job,

 

eg, you will get a call asking if you will work in Bar A or at Wedding B for a fee, and there charge for finding you this work will be 15% of the gross amount, It is then up to you to accept the booking or say no to it (they would rather this then you pull out at a later date)

 

The work an agent will offer you depends on the type of business you are in, some only work withing the corporate / high end fields, others work in the social club / pub fields.

 

Sharon gets most of her work from one agent, Sharon tells this agent the dates she wants to work, and the agent will fill the dates for her, but she does not work exclusivly for this one agent, some gigs she arranges direct, and some from other agents.

 

 

if you work for 5 agents, and each gives you 5 gigs a year, thats half of your saturdays gone already

 

I have the phone number of a very good agent who is based in Kent, she sells to kent, Essex and SE London, her prices range from £150 - £300 per night, (most at the lower end though)

[Dukesy 0]

QUOTE (Chris_Pointon @ Mar 24 2005, 11:32 AM)

QUOTE Im now in contact with another mobile DJ down here in Somerset and he rings me when ever he gets lots of calls in for discos and doesnt take any commision at all.   That is the best 'Agent' agreement you are ever likely to get, better to make an agreement with other DJ's in the area to pass on work which you are unable to do, and vice versa, rather than pay a commission to somebody to do essentially the same thing.   I'm surprised that more DJ's on the forum aren't adopting a similar policy, especially as we seem to have lots of DJ's from within the same areas. I'm happy to say that although there isn't many DJ's here from Cheshire, the few that are, are all talking to each other, and working together with regard to mutual advertising, attending Wedding Fayres and refering work etc http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/thumbup.gif.   Would be nice to see DJ's in other area's following suit, especially as on Dan's poll - many DJ's here have voted that they would like to see more meet up's between members, why not arrange one for your area? http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/smile.gif . Very good point.   Those that 'voted' in the recent poll (8) said that they wanted 'more meet-ups'!!!!!   Golden opportunity? http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/rolleyes.gif

[C.S 0]

Which brings us to our dj pool concept here which i administrate , all the djs in town are members and all charge the same price , and gig share as well as cover for each other. Been doing it for 5 years and it hasnt gone wrong yet.

[Gary 0]

QUOTE (OK KARAOKE @ Mar 24 2005, 07:04 PM)

As you`re probably aware by now I`m cutting down (or out) disco / karaoke work in favour of singing and playing like I used to in the last Century http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif I`ve DJ`d for 6 years and never used an agent - and wouldn`t. // I`m just glad that I didn`t sell of my CDs as it looks like I`ll be doing a bit more DJ-ing for a while http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/rolleyes.gif

Is there the potential for you to take both singing and DJ gigs in the future? EG: A disco on that date, a singing gig on another date and so on?

 

After all, at least some of the audio gear would be interchangable, and if required you could even create more atmosphere than some singers, by incorporating some small amounts of lighting into your singing gigs.

 

Although a niché market, do you think that a combined Singer/DJ show would have potential for certain venues in your area?

[Dukesy 0]

QUOTE

Which brings us to our dj pool concept here which i administrate , all the djs in town are members and all charge the same price , and gig share as well as cover for each other. Been doing it for 5 years and it hasnt gone wrong yet.

 

 

BUMP (hint hint folks!)