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What’s inside : How to successfully approach a producer or talent agency? What is the worst mistake people make? How do I talk about my talent? What are the traps to avoid when talking about my talent? Why do inexperienced artists make the mistake of justifying themselves? Is providing a video the best solution? What should I put in my video? What are the traps to avoid when providing a video? How can I get the producer to extend my contract or hire me again? What is the top priority for producers? In what ways do talent disappoint producers? How many shows a day can an artist perform in a month? What does it mean to âmess upâ your performance? How can I win a producer’s trust? How can I give the best possible performance?
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SUCCESSFULLYÂ APPROACHINGÂ A
PRODUCERÂ ORÂ TALENTÂ AGENT
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Introduction
It’s a never-ending quest for performing artists to make the right contacts. Thankfully, there are endless opportunities to meet people. But how should you talk about your talent with someone who could hire you? It’s a difficult task: first of all, because you’re talking about yourself; secondly, because what you do can only be seen or heard to be understood. This is even harder if your talent is unique. This complex challenge is very frustrating and often destabilizing. But there are certain mistakes you should never make, and among these, I’ll describe the fatal mistakes that pros no longer make.
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The beginner’s mistake
In show business, it’s not unusual to come across someone who could hire you, such as a producer or a talent agent, and you have to jump at the chance to talk to them. The hard part is that you may only have a few seconds or a few minutes to speak, but that’s no excuse for making a beginner’s mistake.
When you present yourself, never say: “I’m a professional“. If you say this, you’re making a big mistake. The person you’re talking too will immediately understand that you’re justifying yourself and that you’re inexperienced. Imagine that you’re sick and looking for a doctor, and the one you visit says to you, “I am a professional Doctor”. Personally, I would get out of there as quickly as possible! It’s exactly the same thing in your case. If you ever say that to a producer, they’ll be very amused! đ
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The solutions
- The solution if you have less than 1 minute
Don’t talk about yourself, just state your specialty and if necessary, mention your most important jobs (no more than three). Then hand out your business card and say: “if you give me your card or e-mail I’ll let you know where you can see me perform.” That way you’ll have their contact information, and even if they don’t come to see you perform, you’ll be able to send them your promotional materials and stay in touch.
- The solution if you have less than 10 minutes
Present yourself briefly, state your specialty and mention your most important jobs. Then, make sure you listen rather than talk. To do this, ask several questions about their artistic vision or their future projects. Letting someone talk has two advantages: first of all, you’ll be able to determine whether their attitude towards you is open and positive; secondly, you’ll definitely get some information about what they have in mind for their next projects. Next, end the conversation as you would if you had less than a minute. Give them your business card and say: “if you give me your card or e-mail I’ll let you know where you can see me perform.” That way you have their contact information, and even if they don’t come to see you perform, you’ll be able to send them your promotional materials and stay in touch.
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