Here's what happens in an agent/manager meeting
Here's what to expect when you first meet with representatives.
If you missed this week’s free post, I wrote about what keeps me happy and centered this time of year — along with sharing reading recommendations, a writing tip, and the art that’s inspiring me.
This is the first in a series of 3 posts about MEETINGS! I wish I had known more about approaching meetings in my early career. In these emails, I will therefore recount my experience in agent meetings, staffing meetings, and general meetings, starting with agent and manager meetings.
If your goal is to have a career as a writer — whether in TV, film, books, or even journalism — at some point, you will likely want an agent or manager.
I have already written about getting an agent or manager and if you really need them. This post is entirely about what happens after they’ve shown interest in you and they want to meet you! This is an incredible sign. They’re taking time out of their day to meet you in person, which means they already want to sign you or are strongly considering it. (Or, in a rare case in which you were recommended by a close friend or a high-powered client, they might be doing a friend a favor. It will be pretty clear if this is the case, but take the meeting and sell yourself in the room.)
These meetings will always be in person, with few exceptions. You should show up dressed like yourself on a good day. When meeting with “suits” like executives and agents, put in more effort than you would when meeting with another writer. Think business casual or a nice, put-together outfit. To my first agent meeting, I wore dark jeans, boots with a heel, a blouse, a leather jacket, hoop earrings, and red lipstick. They immediately commented that I had a great look, which helped me realize that showing a distinct personality helps them identify who you are and how they might “sell” you. To my meeting with the agent I ultimately signed with, I wore a nice but casual dress. Years later, I added managers to my team and showed up to our meeting looking like the best version of myself. I’m going into this much detail because I used to overthink this. I once bought a fancy business dress at Nordstrom for a job interview, and then the exec was in jeans, and I felt awkwardly overdressed. So I hope it helps. But, of course, what’s more important than what you wear is the actual content of the meeting.