You've done it! You found an agency; you had a successful interview; and the agent asked you to list with her. Congratulations, you have and agent. But what happens now?

Contract Agreements

You won't be asked to sign a contract unless you're going exclusive. If you are signing an exclusive contract, the duration of the agreement can vary from one, two and even five years. Find out what your options are. Some agencies only have one standard contract, and some are willing to negotiate certain points. Many exclusive contracts can be broken by the model if she gives sufficient notice, usually 60 days. Some contracts are automatically renewed at the end of their duration unless the model gives notice in advance that she wishes to terminate the contract. If you sign one of these contracts, be aware of the beginning and ending dates, or you could wind up doing a double stint against your will. As in any business transaction, don't sign anything until you've read it carefully. If there are points of the contract you don't understand, don't be afraid to ask questions.

If you're joining an agency in a multiple listing town and you're not going exclusive, you'll probably just be asked to fill out an information card with your name, address, stats and special skills. Your snapshot, comp card or photocopy of your photos will be stapled to the information card.

Your Responsibilities

Once you're registered, you have certain responsibilities to your agent. You should have an answering machine or service, a beeper or at the very leas a family member or roommate who faithfully takes down your messages and forwards them to you. You must make yourself available as much as possible for auditions and cattle calls, not just jobs. You must keep your agent aware of your availability, if you'll be out of town or otherwise indisposed, be sure to let them know. It saves time and embarrassment of calling your old number and hearing" Sorry, there's no one here by that name".

Your Promotional Options

You have the right to be informed of your promotional options. Many agencies use one or more of the following methods to expose the clients to their talent, both old and new:

The Headsheet
Most agencies have what is called a headsheet, or headbook, which is printed every year. It might be a poster, a bound or unbound book, a pamphlet or even a calendar. The headsheet includes a headshot of each model and his or her stats and specialties. Usually, a model must pay a fee to be includes in the headsheet. The fee cover printing and mailing costs.

The Composite Book
Many agencies have a bound or loose book of composite photos of all their talent. If the book is bound, it's important to submit your composite to the agent before the printing deadline, since loose comps submitted to the client late are often misplaced or discarded. If, on the other hand, the book is loose (for this type, holes are usually punched out of comps for inclusion in a three-ring notebook) your comps will probably be added to the book no matter when the client receive it. For composite books the comps are masse through the agency in the same format, which saves the models money.

Mailing
Some agents promote their new talent to client with a monthly or bi-monthly newsletter or other type of mailed message that introduces new individuals. The costs of reproducing photos and printing are usually passed on to the model.

Client List
Some agencies offer the new model a list of clients to call on, meet in person and show their portfolios. Other agencies frown on this practice and prefer to seen their models to clients more selectively or to simply wait for auditions or cattle calls for the two to meet.

Billing Rate

You have the right to know the rate at which your agent is billing out your services. While it's very uncommon, I have heard of one instance where an agency told their models they were being billed out at $ 50 per hour, when they were actually being billed out at $70 per hour, and the agency was keeping the difference. If your agent refuse to tell you what your billing rate is, or if she tell you a rate that is lower than the average for your town, you could have reason to be suspicious.

You also have the right to know what percentage the agency retains from your pay. Most keep 15 percent.

For your payment, you have the right to expect a certain amount of communication and contact with your agent, but you don't want her to feel as though you're pressuring her, whining or trying to demand work she doesn't have for you. If you haven't hear from your agent in two or three weeks, it's okay to give her a call and say," Hi, this is Jane Doe. I was just wondering if you had anything for me this week." or tell her about any new shots you've had taken, any modeling jobs you've had or related classes you're taking. This will remind her that you're available and interested in working. Don't call too frequently or demand to know why you aren't being sent out more. If you're unsure about how often your agent is comfortable hearing from you, ask her; she will give you an honest answer.

Protocol

There are certain unspoken rules of protocol that are worth your while to learn when you deal with agents.
• In multiple listing towns, it's known and accepted by models and agents alike that most talent are represented by several agencies. However, no agent wants to have the fact waved in her face. So if one of your agents gets you a booking, don't call the other and say, "ABC Company got me this job, Why aren't you sending me out more?" You should, however be prepared to tell all of your agents when you've had a job or send them a tear sheet, so they're aware of any experience you get that makes you more marketable and valuable model.
• Never try to play one against another. For instance, if you say " ABC Company bill me at $95 per hour. Why do you bill me out at $65?" you may wind up with no agent at all.
• Never cash an audition by claiming you were sent by your agent if you weren't. Even if it's a cattle call involving 150 models, you still could found out and it will get back to your agent, especially if you were chosen.
• If you find out about a go-see your agent didn't send you on, don't call her to ask why you weren't included, even if you think you were perfect for it. If she thought you were right for it, she would have sent you. Don't annoy her by questioning her judgment.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT OUR MODELING AND ACTING RESOURCE PAGE