In addition to helping you weed through the list of potential entertainers, agents will also help you deal with the talent before and during the event. They handle all the communication with the act(s), give them directions, ensure that the acts are there on time, and make sure that all of their needs are met. Agents will schedule contracted breaks and the entire myriad of details. However, know that not all agents are created equal. Here are three precautions you must take to protect yourself, the event, and the budget:

1.) DON’T GIVE A PRICE RANGE UP FRONT. When a new agent you don’t know asks how much you are going to spend on the entertainment, don’t supply your highest possible price up front. Give a general price range and ask the agent to give you options within that range, as in: “I’m not exactly sure what our budget will be. Please send me information on entertainers within the $2,500 to $6,500 price range.” That way you can decide which person is best for you regardless of price. Agencies and bureaus have a list of performers in different price ranges. If you tell them that you have a $5,000 budget, they will look to book a performer for that price, even though that may not be the best person for your event. Remember, they are making 20 percent on the cost of the act, so a more expensive act means more money for them.

2.) THEY MAY SHOOT FOR THE MOON. If you have a very substantial budget, an entertainment agency may try to book more performers or more expensive performers than are necessary. For example, if you are putting on a small corporate event, and an agency wants to book two magicians, an artist, a juggler, and a DJ, they may be trying to take advantage of the budget.

3.) WATCH OUT FOR MARK-UP. Some agencies may mark up their talent’s prices by 100 to 300 percent. What that means is if an entertainer normally charges $2,500 for a presentation, a bureau may charge $5,000 for the same entertainer. The practice of charging you double what you would have paid if you hired the performer on your own is quite common. Of course, most agents and bureaus do NOT do this. Ask around and find the most reputable agents.

Do not underestimate the benefit of hiring an entertainment agent for your events.  Remember time is money and the right agents can save you a bit of both and quite possibly (if a bad act was hired) some embarrassment. Whether it’s theatrical, dance, big-name acts, local acts, animals, comedians, stilt walkers, or anything in between, a good agent can distill the quality acts from the not-so-quality acts. Indeed, respectable entertainment agents are only going to recommend acts that they know are good because their reputation is on the line.

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