Booking agents work in the entertainment industry, finding new talent and booking bands and groups for venues and events. There are no prerequisites for becoming a booking agent, such as college courses or a specific career path. Booking agents must be motivated, self-starters, and enthusiastic. They should have a strong desire to work in the entertainment industry and be willing to forge their own path.
A person can either work for or start their own booking agency to become a booking agent. Review state labor laws for employment agencies before starting a new agency. The booking agency must be registered with the Department of the Treasury, and the Internal Revenue Service must provide a tax identification number. To get the word out, the company name should be published in a newspaper for four weeks in a row. The person who opens a booking agency must appear in court with proof of publication and pay both publishing and court fees.
It’s critical to find an appropriate venue, such as a bar, nightclub, theater, or hall, to become a booking agent opening a new business. Look up information about the location online and contact the owner to express your interest in using their venue for your booking agency. The next step is to find a band, and a booking agent should have about ten bands that he or she works with on a regular basis. Again, the best way to find these is to conduct internet research and visit all of their websites and social networking pages. Finally, use fliers, advertisements, and anything else you can think of to promote the show, whether on your own or with the help of a public relations firm.
Interning with a talent agency to gain experience booking small talent, interviewing actors, and managing small tasks around the agency is a good way to start for those who want to become a booking agent at an established practice. Booking agent jobs may become available at this location, in addition to gaining valuable experience and building a contact base. The intern can also work as a promoter, taking care of public relations for actors and entertainers. This will give someone interested in becoming a booking agent a better understanding of certain markets or demographics.
A license, which can be obtained from the Labor Department, is required before a person can work as a booking agent. Each state has its own procedure and paperwork for obtaining this license. Once a person is licensed to work as a booking agent, they should join a group like the Association of Talent Agents (ATA), which is made up of current and former booking agents and provides useful resources. By holding casting calls, placing an ad in an industry magazine, or relying on referrals, the booking agent can begin to build a client list. A booking agent’s pay is based on commission, with most booking agents receiving between 10% and 20% of the talent’s earnings.