I got a job, now how do I get an agent?

When my writing partner, Josselyne Herman-Saccio and I were writing our book, So You Wanna Be a New York Actor, we realized the number one question actors have is: How do I get an agent?

We interviewed tons of actors to find out how they got their agents, and we learned a few things:
1 - Quite a few had no agents. (Wow, right? Mostly musical theatre people.)
2 - Quite a few got theirs through college / grad school showcases. (That's no help to most.)
3 - The rest got theirs by:
a) Booking their own work, through whatever manner they could,
b) Publicizing the shit out of it,
c) And exploiting their friends.

Let's deal with 3B and 3C today.

So, you've gotten yourself into a play or a short film, now what?
-Collect still frames or production shots for promo material
-If it's a play or a screening, invite EVERYONE. (They won't come, but that's not the point.)
-Postcard everyone you know and let them know. One before to invite them, one after to brag.
-Ask the people you meet if they have agents attending, or viewing.
-Ask permission to contact them, and permission to drop their names in the letter.
-Ask for an introduction.
-Use this job to get you more jobs. Network!

It may feel gross to ask your new friends for contacts, but... you know you should.

I often recommend putting together a one sheet of the event to add to your regular maintenance mailing. Make an 8.5x11 sheet with pictures, reviews and such. Mention the casting director. You can use a fancy program to do it or SendOutCards, but the important thing is to do it. Not just for mailings, but for the package of promo material you're getting together for when you meet agents and managers in person.

This is the time to get creative. What can you do? Now is the moment!

As for invitations to agents, like I said, they probably won't come. But try to entice them. Maybe offer to send a car. Maybe give them drink coupons. Maybe drop off a personal invitation. They still probably won't come. BUT - they know you did something. They know you were cast. And they know you're serious about working with them.

This may seem like slamming your head against a brick wall, but you never know here the opportunities will come.

Keep at it! One of these days you'll get noticed.