Do I Need an Agent? - Advice for Artists

[@nadyartillustration]

Before my current agent, 🍋 was the first agency that offered me a contract. I was so happy to have received the contract! However, the agreement raised so many red flags for me (and I’m not very ‘legal documents savvy’) and an art director strongly advised against this agency. So, even though I felt sad about it, I declined signing. I never even heard back. Within 2 months I received an offer from my current agent, who’s very hands-on, and I’m still so happy that I went with that initial gut feeling and waited it out! I now see 🍋 post new artist on such a regular basis. They work for their clients, not their actual clients, the artists.

[@MrZeagans]

Thank you for your videos. It's very easy for friends and family to encourage you to pursue art as a career or say "you could sell your art!", but actually marketing yourself to venues that are looking to purchase or commission art is a mystery to most of us. Thank you again.

[@AnooshaSyed]

You are so welcome!

[@EZETAROaroMUSASHI]

my family dont even support my art

[@Woolblossom]

This was literally so informative and helpful !! For your second video, my biggest question is how you know you’re ready, especially when you know that your portfolio is good enough, to get an agent and be able to secure work from them! 💕 (also a third video on your experiences would be super helpful too!)

[@AnooshaSyed]

Thank you so much, I'm so glad! Yes I'll definitely make sure to talk about that in my next video. It's definitely not a process you should rush into and I'll go over all the steps you need to be ready, and how to look at your work and realize if it's at the stage for an agent or not. :)

[@grantgill]

I could listen to you talk for hours (and have)! Thanks for being so informative, and not just surface stuff. I really appreciate the nitty gritty about contract negotiations, agents, etc. Thank you so much for these videos!

[@AnooshaSyed]

You are so welcome! I'm glad it was helpful :))

[@NC-ij9rb]

Anoosha, thank you so much for this video. I’m also being represented by a big agency and everything you say is true. I get few jobs, they can’t really focus on us, artists, individually because we’re too many, they literally have a catalog Lolz, and they prioritize having a good relationship with the client than actually fighting for us artists. They have been nice with me and they are getting me jobs but this video has opened my eyes to all of these disadvantages. As soon as I’ve completed my current projects, I’m going to leave my agent and find a better one. Thank you so much again.

[@AnooshaSyed]

Some large agencies can still be good but unfortunately I have heard of bad experiences in some and I’m sorry you are experiencing this! Best of luck and hope you find a better fit!

[@VictoriaandNataliafit]

Love your videos! You’re amazing! Nothing is ever too long with you and every single word you say is extremely valuable!

[@Nireni]

This is so helpful and informative. Thank you for taking the time to lay out some of the pros and cons of working with agencies. I've considered getting an agent for help dealing with problem clients but I didn't even consider they could help negotiate contracts.

[@AnooshaSyed]

Thank you so much! Depends on the agent (since I can't speak for all of them) but a majority of them will be helping with contract negotiation!

[@papelmarfil]

Thank you a lot for being open about all those experiences and learnings with agents! Your channel is so insightful, forever grateful!

[@AnooshaSyed]

You are so welcome!

[@shmoda6527]

Thank you soo much for this!! Been feeling super anxious about entering the art industry and this really did a lot to calm my nerves. Definitely looking forward to more videos

[@AnooshaSyed]

You got this! Thank you so much :)

[@ms.ballesteros6229]

Please please please please (when you can of course) Make the part 2 and 3 video. You are very informative and helpful!!

[@AnooshaSyed]

Yes definitely! I have another video (about books) planned for mid-september but will hopefully post part 2 of agents after that! The research is taking a lot longer than I thought hahaha

[@sararose197]

Thank you sooo much Anoosha:)) I am a fellow Canadian illustrator and writer I’m just starting the journey of finding a agent. I look forward to watching your other videos! You are awesome!

[@leahsandow9300]

So Grateful you posted this video.... Ridiculously informative. Now l can go back to Part 2. Hope the Wedding went well.

[@nevershoutchlo3]

Thanks so much for talking so in depth on this topic! I have found it very hard to find information on agencies so this was super helpful! I really love your work btw :)

[@AnooshaSyed]

Thank you so much :))

[@saeedporfekr2584]

Very helpful.Thanks a lot!

[@AnooshaSyed]

You’re welcome!

[@itsyaboinadia]

yours is the most informative and helpful channel about this stuff i have ever come across. thank you so much for what you do ❤❤❤

[@carolinatrampuz9589]

This is soo helpful, thank you very much for all the infos! ❤️

[@kimbalacuit1426]

Thanks so much Anoosha, I found this super helpful- you literally answered most of my questions! I'm excited for part 2 and I'd love a part 3 (if you have time of course!) detailing your experience! :)

[@AnooshaSyed]

Thank you so much, I'm glad it was helpful!!

[@barbarael]

Great video! Thank you for sharing your experience online. Greetings from Europe!

[@maiegurza]

Oooh! I needed this, thank you very much!!

[@AnooshaSyed]

You’re welcome !

[@surelysims]

Thank you for this video Anoosha!

[@AnooshaSyed]

You're so welcome!

[@melissamoreira13]

Great video! Thanks for all the info, Anoosha 🙏💙

[@AnooshaSyed]

You're so welcome!

[@deadpixeldesigns4308]

This video is broken down very well. Thank you very much. It is right that each individual will have different needs, but this is a very good place for us newbies to begin to start thinking about. A lot of info to consider. Thanks again!

[@AnooshaSyed]

You are so welcome!

[@cmknox777]

This was helpful and insightful

[@koey6417]

Thank you for making this informative video

[@AnooshaSyed]

You're so welcome!

[@2dchaostube]

Awesome information, waiting for the next video!

[@AnooshaSyed]

Thank you so much!

[@ashleyopperman2815]

Thank you so much for this video! I cannot believe I never knew this was an option. Game changer!!

[@AnooshaSyed]

I’m glad it was helpful!

[@sherinasiraj]

loved your video! Can you do a video comparing your first portfolio that wasn’t getting you much work and a new one which got you work? What changed etc

[@AnooshaSyed]

Great idea! I'll definitely plan to do a video like that in the future!

[@TheArtMentor]

This is really comprehensive! Nicely done. Gives a great perspective on what to expect

[@ekoamanda1640]

I just really need to leave you a comment!! This is such a good video! Soooo informative, super helpful!!

[@KawaiiStarz]

thank you for the insightful information!

[@AnooshaSyed]

You are so welcome!

[@PlayfulPainter]

Looove this info and your work! Could you please do a video series about working with KidLit editors as well? thanks!

[@AnooshaSyed]

Great idea! I am working on a series where I go in-depth about each of my book projects and what it was like working on them from start to finish. My "illustrating a book cover on procreate - SILVERWORLD" video is an example of that, which could be what you're looking for. But I'll definitely keep in mind a future video of just the editor relationship. If there's anything specific you'd like me to cover, let me know!

[@claudiaumbert5080]

Thank you so much for the video ❤ This was very helpful!

[@AnooshaSyed]

Thank you!

[@이선요-s7e]

Hello Anoosha ! Thank you so much for sharing your experience and it's helped me a lot. Cuz I'm a beginner illustrator and currently looking for an agency. Also I'm not a native speaker sometimes it's quite hard to understand your words with background music sound. 😢 It would be lovely if you volume down the music when you are editing. I love all of your contents. I appriciated that you shared your experience as an illustrator with audience. Have a wonderful day !

[@AnooshaSyed]

Hi! I'm sorry about that :'( My early videos have really bad sound since I was still learning to edit. You can find a lot of my videos as written blog posts here on my website: www.anooshasyed.com/blog/2020/8/11/a-guide-to-agents-for-artists-part-1-what-is-an-agent You can use google translate for this^ :)

[@diamondlincoln7127]

Hey Anoosha! I appreciate your work and advice SO much thank you! Wow I am I’m school close to my last year and I have yet to learn about the real world Career part of art. I’m in an illustrator class and the teacher has a job in this field and has yet to even mention how to actually get jobs and make a portfolio. School definitely doesn’t prepare you 😢

[@fridamgzjtsjtx]

this is beyond helpful!! 💕 looking forward to next videos!

[@AnooshaSyed]

Thank you!!

[@tmarcmoynihan]

Thank you for sharing. Very informative video!

[@cristiflorescash1962]

Thank you for this video!! Very informative

[@AnooshaSyed]

Glad it was helpful!

[@stuartayre7618]

What a useful video -- thank you.

[@MariaGarcia-qm6uv]

Thanks so much for this video Anoosha! I'm going to look for representation again and this is really helpful 💕

[@AnooshaSyed]

Glad it was helpful! Best of luck!

[@amberleaf7]

eSpecially. Not eXpecially. This is a very in depth and helpful video. Thank you for sharing your experience with us so generously.

[@thehamofficialart]

Thank youuuu this was very helpful!

[@Puddle]

this was so helpful!! thank you for the deepdive, it was super informative and helped me make some long-put-off decisions 😅✨✨

[@AnooshaSyed]

Thank you, I'm so glad!

[@gabsilva7670]

Hi, Anoosha! Very informative video. Can you explain more about this one you mentioned at 20:05. How come purchase a page on illustration publications, how does that work. Idk if i understood what publications are those. Thank you! ♥

[@AnooshaSyed]

Companies like 'The Directory of Illustration' and 'The Workbook' will publish a catalogue of artists that AD's and clients will buy to discover new artists. You can purchase a space in the catalogue to advertise your work; however I don't believe these catalogues are usually worth it, and an agency should never have the artist pay for that expense.

[@slantypearcreative1875]

Thank you so much for this!

[@AnooshaSyed]

You're so welcome!

[@hanipark7697]

Thanks for your video!!:) this is so informative and kind! love your work and love your videos!!

[@AnooshaSyed]

Thank you so much!

[@biishoujo]

Thank you so much for this video Anoosha!! It was super informative and definitely helped me a lot! Some questions I have are: 1) Is it okay to be represented by a literary and an illustrator agent at the same time? 2) How do I know if my portfolio is ready to be submitted to agencies? Thank you so much again and I can't wait for the next parts!!

[@AnooshaSyed]

For question #2 I'll be able to answer morein depth in my next video. For #1, it depends on your agent and whether they are ok with it! Because they are dealing with two different clients, the literary agent should be OK with you having an illo agent, but the illo agent might not be since illo also deals with publishing. When you're researching agents and discussing terms with them it's a good idea to directly ask and see if you are able to work with both types of agents.

[@biishoujo]

@@AnooshaSyed thank you so much for your answer Anoosha! I can't wait for next video! ☺️🙏🏻

[@AnooshaSyed]

@@biishoujo You're welcome!

[@LetsRUMBLEAQ3D]

Consider making an illustrated versions of some of your videos on advice with *all* your points included so that neurodivergent artists can have something to read as you explain everything, it feels like you’d be able to remake these as a means to update and better educate with visual aids. (as automated subtitles isn’t always the best either) Like, I don’t mean “hide yourself” either lol, you could incorporate recording yourself into it if you so wished, or use voice excerpts from this one 😊

[@AnooshaSyed]

If it helps I have most of my videos available as blog posts on my website if some people prefer reading!

[@matildechizzola4098]

Thank you. This was so helpful!

[@AnooshaSyed]

I’m glad to hear!

[@lizardsnipe]

thank you for sharing this info. so so helpful to all artists!

[@AnooshaSyed]

Glad it was helpful!

[@slkmby]

Thank you for this video - super informative! I'm a student currently just starting my illustration program and this question was always in the back of my mind! For a while I was told you should never sign with an agent but it sounds like if I just work hard enough to get my art to an industry standard, it'll be the best option for me to get jobs with publishers, etc, especially since I'm US-based. Now I have a clear goal in mind and something to work towards! I've subscribed and I'm looking forward to your next video

[@AnooshaSyed]

You're welcome! Having an agent is not for everyone; my mentor in college never had an agent and she's a very successful illustrator so I know there are people like this out there! You can totally be self-sufficient and handle your clients and find work. However for those who need help with the business side of the job, it definitely helps. Thank you for subscribing :))

[@slkmby]

@@AnooshaSyed I guess we'll see where I end up by the time I've graduated! Thank you for the advice! :)

[@aditikakade]

Very informative and useful. Thank you for this. I am interested in knowing your experience with agencies or any other insight you wish to share.

[@AnooshaSyed]

Thank you!

[@klohdstuff]

Thank you so much for this video! Super informative and helpful.

[@AnooshaSyed]

You are so welcome!

[@bryanmadden8889]

Fantastic content! Thank you for the info

[@AnooshaSyed]

Thank you!

[@jacqlnli6248]

Thank you so much Anoosha, this was super helpful and informative!! I do have one question - after leaving an agency, does an illustrator typically still have to give a cut of earnings to their previous agent for any future projects they get? PS: thank you for always sharing awesome resources like this. Excited for Part 2 (and 3 if you have the time)! :) 💕

[@AnooshaSyed]

Not that I'm aware of, but if you have any ongoing projects (like a book series that hasnt been completed for example), since they facilitated that original deal it would make sense that they would still take a percent even after you leave. For any new projects, that shouldn't be the case and sounds like a red flag? Always check your agency contract to make sure. :)

[@jacqlnli6248]

@@AnooshaSyed Gotcha, makes sense! Thanks for your answer :D

[@AnooshaSyed]

@@jacqlnli6248 I Will note that some agencies have a clause saying that you aren't allowed to work with another agent for a period of time.

[@DasiaBlue]

Love this do you ever think you’ll make a video about finding freelance work without an agent?

[@AnooshaSyed]

My ‘getting started in illustration’ part one and two covers most of it in terms of how to find work! Unless you were thinking of something I missed?

[@t0shilife]

Hi Anoosha! Thanks for the video. I absolutely find it helpful and love it. I've been represented by illustration agency. My agent is great and I have no complaint. However I'd like to focus more in picture books and hopefully one day write and illustrate my own, so I've been having a thought of switching to literary agency. When you switched, were you in contact with any of literary agencies before you left Lemonade? Would that be okay? Thank you so much!

[@AnooshaSyed]

Hi Toshiki!! Thank you so much for watching! I personally wasn't in contact with any agents during my time with Lemonade; when I left I fully planned on just doing it myself from now on. A few months later I was contacted by a lit agent who managed to sway me haha. Depending on the agency you might need to give them advance notice of several months before you leave. Check your contracts. If you haven't told them yet, it might still be early. Since you are an award winning illustrator (congrats!!) I don't think it will be too difficult for you to find a new agent so there's no need to rush. :)

[@desertbloomke]

Thank you, this information is so comprehensive.✨️ I'm 24 and aspire to be a book illustrator and animator. Currently I'm working on growing my portfolio for book illustration. I think I'll consider looking for an agent when I'm ready. Marketing work and gathering an audience is kind of daunting for me. The projects I've been doing are my own. I would like to work with other authors, as well as illustrate my own graphic novels someday. Baby steps. I would like to know what kinds of book illustration a person could get into. You do children's book illustration but i would like to target novels for an older audience (teens and young adult). I would also like to know what kind of projects you did to form a portfolio when you were starting out. Do you have videos on these 2 things?

[@AnooshaSyed]

Hi! I'm glad this video was helpful! I have a video series called 'Picture Book Basics'. The first episode goes over all the different areas of publishing illustration you can work in, which would answer your first question: 1) kzbin.info/www/bejne/pmitZnaFgteHoZY I also have two videos on portfolio; one for general portfolio creation and another specifically on what you need in a picture book portfolio. 2) kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4SZlJeJmt1_odE 3) kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZK8qmx-jcuGsM0

[@desertbloomke]

@@AnooshaSyed Wow, thank you🤗. I'll watch them and take notes

[@bellajenkins5669]

So helpful thank you! I rlly need an agent

[@AnooshaSyed]

You’re welcome. Good luck!

[@jnpileggi]

hi Annosha, do you have any idea how an agent would work if you are in a creative duo (one writes, one illustrates)?? thank you!! this was incredibly helpful

[@AnooshaSyed]

I believe both parties would need to get an agent! In some cases you might be able to represented by the same person which I’m sure would be the ideal scenario. However keep in mind that it is quite difficult to get a book deal for a duo since normally, the publisher will want to select their own illustrator for an accepted authors manuscript.

[@donnadraws3669]

Very informative! Thank you for doing this.

[@AnooshaSyed]

Glad it was helpful!

[@gabypolin5315]

Where could I filter a list of small agencies? I would like to contact the small ones.

[@kirstyndoodles]

When looking for an agent/agency but unsure if you're portfolio is ready, will the agency let you know what you need to work on?

[@AnooshaSyed]

I'll definitely cover this in the next video! But for now; it is a case by case basis; ideally your work should be of a good enough quality for the agency to see potential in you. It isn't their job to mold you from the ground up, but if you have q's about your folio they can assist with that.

[@jasminepomierski]

Thank you so much for this helpful video Anoosha, I'm so glad I found your videos! So much of this is new information to me! I guess I'm most worried about not being able to support myself financially once I choose to go freelance. Would you say that it's difficult to balance having an agent and going freelance, while working another job in order to make enough money? Hopefully one day when my portfolio is built up enough, I won't have to work another job!

[@AnooshaSyed]

It’s a little difficult but it’s all about time management and making sure you don’t take on more work than you can handle!

[@mucksegler]

Thanks, great Informations

[@AnooshaSyed]

You’re welcome!

[@dropinarte]

When agents can't find you any work, how would you reccomend staying afloat? I'm finishing up art school in two years and I'm scared haha

[@diaryofdaksha]

Waiting for part 3 anoosha 🥺

[@meiliadarmawan]

Hai Anoosha, can we use behance to submit a portfolio instead of personal website?

[@Biillustration]

thank you!

[@monicaggsc]

Thank you so much for this video! I'ts very helpful, I can't wait for the next one and I definitely would like to know about your experience with Lemonade. I'm trying to find an agent and it's been particularly difficult for me because I'm from Spain and there is not much illustration agencies in my country, so I'm learning english and I'm starting to look abroad. So, for your next video, could you explain how to present yourself in your submission letter? I have some troubles with this because, although I follow the guidelines, I'm not very fluent in english and sometimes my letters are quite long because I try to be understood but when i realize i'm doing that, I do the opposite and the result is a very short and impersonal letter. I also like to know if it's important for an agency if you have working experience as illustrator or as picture book creator (in the case of a literature agency) Thank you so much again

[@AnooshaSyed]

Thank you so much! I appreciate this question; I really want to be able to help international artists but sometimes I'm not aware of these 'problems' you guys might have to deal with so your question is helpful to me! I'll try to answer it as best as I can in my next video, and wish you best of luck in your search for an agent!!

[@shelleart3148]

Hi anoosha, if one is just starting out in children's book, is it ok to get an agent or get gigs individually first? When is the right time?

[@AnooshaSyed]

I don't think there is a clear answer to this! I might be biased in saying that I think you should try to develop your career on your own first, before rushing to find an agent, because my first agent experience was bad and that I wish I had waited. I think a good balance would be to keep working on your career, and simultaneously start your research for agencies. If you find someone that's a good fit, that is great and you can sign on! And if not, you can still keep working independently and continue your search until you find a good one.

[@shelleart3148]

@@AnooshaSyed i will keep that in mind. Thank you!

[@mubi001]

nice sharing

[@AnooshaSyed]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@MrMilansamadder]

Hello Annosha, Thanks for making this video. I am from India, a children's book illustrator. I want to hire an agent or agency. I am so new to hiring. So, I am gathering information. Could you please suggest to me few names of agencies? I googled but I don't really understand. If you can give me few names I will go through them and find out and read about them. Thank you so much in advance.

[@AnooshaSyed]

I have a second video that talks about the process of researching and finding agents (HOW TO GET AN AGENT) which might answer your questions!

[@NC-ij9rb]

Please tell us your experience with Lemonade

[@AnooshaSyed]

I plan to in the future! I’m just figuring out the best way to do it without getting in trouble with them haha

[@nixauchnix408]

subscribed :) thanks Annosha

[@rubiess5246]

Is an illustrators salary worth all the work?

[@kojoman75]

Hmmmmmm? I am thinking 2021 and the future for us Artists & Photographers is ONLINE MARKETING; LIKE FROM THE ARTIST STUDIO; TO THE COLLECTOR’S WALLS. BUT What say you? The Artist.

[@Ronn76_]

Hello love the video iam looking for a good agent that can represent me .The kind of artwork i do is cartooning some graffiti art and portraits

[@ishraq.muntakim]

💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

[@gela3874]

Thank you so much for your videos! I'd really like to know next how to know if you're actually ready for an agent or if you're rushing yourself.

[@AnooshaSyed]

I’m glad it was helpful! I think my second video on agents (how to get an agent) would answer this question!