If you’ve been a TV news anchor, reporter, sports reporter, or meteorologist for any amount of time, you may be thinking it’s time to hire a TV news talent agent.
You’re probably right.
Hiring an experienced and well-connected TV news talent agent is going to be a boon for your career. But there are a couple of key questions you need to answer first:
Do You Want to Go Big, or Stay Local?
Many new reporters or anchors are shooting for the big time. They want to broadcast on a national network, along with the lifestyle that goes with that.
Others would prefer a smaller market and possibly one closer to home. They may be starting a family. Or they have a significant other who is rooted in his/her job. Leaving family and friends for a large network doesn’t appeal to them. Plus, they recognize there is power in local news.
For those who are insisting on major markets, affiliates, or network destinations and who are willing to go wherever they need to go to get that, an agent is indispensable. An experienced agent will be well-connected and can send your tape all over the country to give you the best shot at a new job.
Yet, agents are also happy to represent those seeking local work. For example, if you’re at a local station that’s also in a major market, you’ll want an agent to negotiate your next deal at that station. S/he can also get you a meeting at another station across town if needed.
Once you know whether you’re aiming for local or national news, the next question is this:
How Long Have You Been Working in TV News?
If you’re fresh out of school and brand new, chances are you don’t need an agent. This isn’t a given, though. A skilled agent can spot real talent and determination and will take on brand new talent if they show promise and are willing to do the work. A TV news agent is willing to coach such individuals to help them find the best first job for the most money, while also helping them help themselves so they can attain a great second job.
In addition, if someone who demonstrates true potential attended a college or university with a broadcast journalism school that produced daily live and professional-looking newscasts, they may already have a solid reel. This will help too. But even in cases where there isn’t a reel, an agent can use his or her connections to help promising new talent build one.
Meanwhile, candidates who have already gotten their feet wet working their first TV news job should definitely consider an agent. S/he can offer you so many advantages that you just won’t find out there on your own – regardless of how well you navigate the internet. An experienced TV news agent who has connections with station news directors and general managers is going to have access to information that no website will ever have. Plus, by the time you see a job posting on the internet, it’s typically gone. A TV news agent can share your info and reel long before that happens.
Which leads us to what is probably the most important question:
Where Can You Find a Trusted TV News Talent Agent?
If you’re ready to hire a TV news talent agent, start asking other TV news reporters or anchors for recommendations. In addition, attend conferences and take advantage of networking. Meeting your prospective agent face-to-face will give you a good feel for whether he or she is right for you.
During your search, there’s a good chance that you’ll either hear the name Mort Meisner, or meet him in person at a conference.
Because with over 30 years of experience in broadcast news, he’s the premier TV news talent agent. Mort knows the people and players that fuel this industry. And he’ll use those connections to get you the job you want. So contact Mort today.
