Do You Need an Art Agent?
As working artists, the idea of someone else handling the business side of things like booking jobs, pricing, and invoicing sounds pretty appealing. And that’s where art agents come in!
Before we completely dive in, there are two things you should know.
There are several types of agents that artists work with, but in this post, we’ll be focusing on illustration agents and licensing agents.
And two, HAVING AN ART AGENT DOES NOT DEFINE YOUR SUCCESS. There are plenty of amazing artists that are represented, and plenty that are independent.
How can an art agent help me?
Art agents can help take a ton of responsibility off your plate, like pitching your work, booking & signing jobs, reviewing contracts, and even help you with your pricing!
Illustration agents typically let you hit the ground running once the contract is signed, while licensing agents maintain contact with the client, leaving you to focus on creating only.
How much money can you make with an agent?
This is such a loaded question! An agent can take anywhere between 30%-50% of your payment BUT they free up a lot of your time and brain space to work on projects.
Depending on the agent, they may bring work that you wouldn’t have gotten on your own - their network is part of what makes them so exciting!
We’ve seen peers make 10k-100k with their agents.
What should I look for in an agent?
My experience says that the most important thing is that you each believe in each other, and have a working style that compliments the other.
You want to feel that your agent is so fond of your work that they’ll scream about it from the rooftops.
All the other options really come down to personal preference, like do you want to work with a large or small agency?
I’d also make sure their client list aligns with the type of projects/clients you’d want to be working with.
And make sure to review those contracts so you understand exactly what you’re signing up for!
Is getting an agent right for me?
If you want one, sure! I actually love connecting with clients, finding them, and working directly with them, but because I’m also building a business and raising young children, they’ve allowed me to breathe a little easier too.
Have other questions about art agents?
Check out our YouTube video where we go over everything you need to know about Art Agents!
