Talent agents play a crucial role in the entertainment industry, representing actors, musicians, models, and other performing artists in the negotiations with different employers. Talent agents help their clients secure auditions, negotiate contracts, and generally manage their careers.
But with all the value that talent agents bring to the table, it’s natural to wonder: How much do they cost?
The short answer is that talent agents typically charge a commission on the work they secure for their clients.
This commission is usually a percentage of the client’s earnings, ranging from 10% to 20%. For example, if an actor secures a role that pays $10,000, and their talent agent charges a 15% commission, the agent would receive $1,500. It’s worth noting that talent agents are not allowed to charge upfront fees to their clients. So keep that in mind when negotiating and reading over contracts.
This is because the talent agency business model is based on the idea that the agent only gets paid if they are able to secure work for their client. In other words, the agent is taking on some risk by representing a client, and they expect to be compensated if their efforts are successful.
Similarly, on Voices, you can post your job and listen to all auditions, without any upfront cost. You only pay Voices once you’re ready to hire.
There are some exceptions to this rule. For example, some talent agencies may charge a small “marketing fee” to cover the cost of creating and distributing promotional materials for their clients. This fee is typically a one-time charge, and it is typically much lower than the commission that the agency will charge for securing work. Once again, make sure you read the terms and conditions of that marketing fee, what it entails and think about if those fees have the value you’re expecting.
It’s also worth noting talent agents are not the only professionals in the entertainment industry who charge a commission. Managers, lawyers, and other industry professionals may also charge a percentage of their clients’ earnings. However, talent agents are typically the ones who charge the highest commissions, as they are responsible for finding work for their clients.
So to recap:
Talent agents typically charge a commission on the work they secure for their clients. This commission is usually a percentage of the client’s earnings, ranging from 10% to 20%. While there may be exceptions to this rule, such as small marketing fees, the vast majority of a talent agent’s income comes from the commissions they charge on their clients’ earnings.
As with signing any agreement and paperwork, we encourage you to read the contracts your signing and ask follow up questions to the agency or agent before signing.
Wondering what a talent agent is? Read our previous blogs, which explains what talent agents do and whether you should engage with one.
Voices is a great alternative to using a talent agent, sign up today for free!
Comments
Where can I find jobs where I don’t have to pay upfront fees to the agent.
I am a writer with a screen play idea. I need an agent. How would I go about finding one for something like this? I would also like an agent who could represent my other books. Would we pay your company to find someone like this?
Are you a constant singer?
I have a one woman show production that I want to promote. I have traveled to various places to perform, mostly churches and schools. I would like to expand and possibly take this show on the road. I am not auditioning for a part in anyone’ else’s production. It was suggested a booking agent might help me book performances. Thoughts? Suggestions?
I am a man 75, look 65. I have more than usual amount of life experience in steel mills Lawenforcement truck drivingDo yo across America Canada. Setved in the Navy. I have been tuff and I have helped mentaly ill. I played the part of a bartender with Kevin Kosner
And enjoyed, but was very professional in this role..do you work with people my age. I work long hours and can sing.
Hello John! Yes, no matter your age, you can also create a Voices account: https://www.voices.com/signup
I’m looking for someone to help me get gigs, I sing, and I’m always told that I’m amazing at it, but life got in my way, My Sad was a preacher, I’ve been singing since I was 7, it’s all that I want to do, and I’m told all the time that I need to share it with the world. I would be so very thankful to be able to do so. I look forward to hearing back from you.
Thank you,
Tracy Roberson
I would like some information regarding doing commercials. Also I need a reputable agency
I’d like to hire a talent agent. I have multiple venues/talents I’d like to have displayed to a larger audience. I am a singer/songwriter, I write lyrics, poetry, publish books with lyrics and poetry and sheet music. I have produced a number of songs already. I’m not sure what genre we can call my music but it covers, rock and roll, folk rock, romantic, new age but almost always covers a romantic subject be it about nature, travel, but most likely a man to a woman (and vice versa). My songs have inspirations which often lead to a musical story-telling in each song. I have listened to other lyrics and feel mine are at least in line with some of the better lyric writers. That is what I want a talent agent to help me bring out to a larger audience. I have about 40 songs already on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Music, etc. You can see them under the artist Eric S Johnson; notable ones, “Moon Flowers”, “Your Eyes”, “African Queen” and many others.
I’d like to get hooked up to take my career off to where I believe it should be.
What else do you have besides voice over acting? Do You Have singing songwriting dancing acting modeling makeup artist. I live here in Bradenton Florida and I am in my Fifties And I have been wanting to go for my dreams for a long time and I want to be a professional at my dream job and I don’t want to do it all the time. I Want To Do It when you have a project for me and I still want to keep my current job okay. I Want To get paid for what I do.
Hello Sherri, currently we have voice acting and voice dataset contributor opportunities. Would you like to learn more about paid voice dataset contributor work?