I've been approached by an agency, or talent scout. How do I know if they are Legitimate?

Whenever approached by an "agency" or "talent scout" that you have never heard of (which is usually the case, unless they are representing Elite, Ford, Click, Etc. Etc.) it is always best to do a lot of research on them.

Agencies/scouts/etc. Usually run somewhere along this continuum:

• Totally legit and established (Ford, Elite, Click, etc. There are LOTS of them).
• Legit and lesser known (usually agencies that have been around for a while, and just have a lower profile - usually more specialized).
• Legit newer agencies (their hearts and heads are in the right place, but they are just getting started).
• Semi-Sketchy agencies (perhaps trying to be an agency, but just don't know how the industry works... usually will fail).
• Sketchy agencies (may be telling you they want you for one thing, but actually want you for another (tell you they do fashion, but they do mostly glamour or adult work).
• Scams (agencies that attempt to get you to pay them something - entry fees, listing fees, insist that you work with "Their" photographer, etc).
• Dirtbags (guys who represent themselves as "agencies", "scouts", or "managers" who are just looking to get into your pants and or wallet).

So, some things to do to find out where the people contacting you fit into the above list:

Ask A LOT of questions:

• Agencies in most states must be licensed (this is not true everywhere - check your applicable state laws) find out if they are licensed, and what their certificate or license # is. This can then be checked with the State they are registered in.
• Check the Yellow Pages. (Use the yellow pages online, if they are listed, that is one less question on your list)
• Make sure they supply you with FULL contact information. Phone Numbers, Physical Address, email, Web site.
• How long have they been in business? Ask about their history.
• Ask them to send you their printed collateral. Legit agencies will have advertising, informational and marketing collateral, usually well-designed, and printed on glossy stock.
• Check out their Web site. (Not all agencies have them... but most do) Does it look well-designed, and organized? frequently updates? or does it look cheesy and cheap... is it hosted on a Free service like Yahoo, AOL or Geocities? This can be very telling.
• Who are their clients? Especially CURRENT clients. Get contact names and numbers for references - and follow up on them. If they just give you the names of the clients, but tell you they can't give you the contact info (for business reasons), ask them what department they do work for in that company, then find the phone #'s yourself and make a courteous, professional call to the company, asking about their relationship to the agency in question.
• Who are the models they are currently working with? If they claim to represent someone famous, it is easily verified (on the net or by a few phonecalls) if they actually represent that personality.
• Ask them to have a couple of their current models to contact you. Then discuss with these models the type and frequency of work the agency has gotten for them... keep in mind that they will probably send you models that are at the the top of their list, or in the case of scams, shills from within the company. This isn't a very reliable method by itself, but added to your other research can give you a better feel about the "company" in question.

This list can go on and on, but the bottom line is that if you ask a lot of smart questions, you are much less likely to get burned. Also:

Do your own independent research!:

• Ask people in the industry if they have ever heard of them. Check with photographers in the area of the agency, post questions about them to places like One Model Place and other online forums and ask about their reputation.
• If it was a "talent scout" who says they are represented a reputable agency (like ford, elite, etc.), Make your next phone call to that office, and check to see if they actually work there. Anyone can have a business card printed.
• Ask other agencies about them. Perhaps you are too short or feel you are too inexperienced to work for Elite or a major agency, Don't be afraid to call a major agency near the one in question, and tell them "I would love to interview with you, but I am just getting started in the business, and have been approached by XYZ agency... can you tell me anything about them? do they have a decent reputation / are they a dangerous scam?" Usually the agency will be helpful. And you never know, they may actually ask you to come in and interview with them!!
• Check their Better Business Bureau File: Go to http://www.bbb.org and look them up... it's very easy and FREE. Not all agencies will have a file. And this is not a definitive tool in finding out about a particularly agency. Do not assume anything is wrong if they do not have a file, or if they have one or two complaints... However, it can be very telling if you find out that they have a LOT of complaints against them.
• Look them up on the search engines: See if people have publicly posted complaints or warnings about them... just because they haven't, doesn't mean they are any more legit, However, if you find a lot of complaints, well... time for more investigation.
  
  Suggested Search engines: http://www.altavista.com and http://www.hotbot.com (hotbot allows you to search using most of the major search engine technologies that the other Search sites use (Fast, Google, Inktomi and Teoma). There is also a good source for using a good number of Meta search engines at http://www.alfaseek.com

No single question here can answer the question: "is this agency/scout legit" but by doing your research, you can develop a profile on a company that should give you your answer. And always trust your instincts... If it "feels" wrong, well... there may be something to it.

The Bottom line: Do your research. Ask many questions. Then ask some more.

If a company is legit, they will understand your caution and professionalism.

Good Luck!

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