Do You Need Representation?
Written by Drew Melton (Founder, Closer&Closer)
So many artists struggle with the idea of representation, and I don’t blame them. It’s an industry that’s evolved so much in recent years, and every rep is different and has their own way of doing things. But for any curious artists out there, these are my answers to the most common questions I get about representation.
Why do artists need to be represented?
The short answer? They don’t.
Now for the long answer: Representation is not for everyone. But I believe that the first step towards greatness comes with being able to depend on others and admitting you can’t do everything yourself. That moment is where the magic of representation lies. An artist does not grow from doing the administrative stuff, like sending an invoice or negotiating a contract. The more time an artist has to work on their craft and create amazing art, the better they’ll be, and having representation gives you that time that you need to do this.
How do I attract an agent to represent me?
This is a question I get a lot from artists that are looking for representation, and a lot of people will tell you the answer is to find your style. But I don’t think it’s so much about having a style as it is about having a voice. The difference here is that an artist who has a clear voice trusts themselves, and you can tell that all of their pieces are coming from a particular perspective. Your work doesn’t all have to fit into the same style, but if I can tell that all of your pieces come from the same person with a distinct background, experiences, education, and more, then I’m interested. A clear voice is the main thing I look for in an artist’s body of work, because when an artist trusts themselves and their point of view, then I’m able to trust them as well.
What qualities should I look for in a rep?
When looking for a rep, you need to make sure that person is someone you can trust and have good conflict with. The first is pretty self-explanatory, but the second is a little more nuanced. Good conflict is all about identifying areas where someone is lacking and being able to dig in there and diagnose the problem to solve it. You need an agent who will help you figure out why it is that you have the faults you do, and then work with you to overcome them. If your rep can be honest with you and tries to get to the why behind the issues in a respectful and loving way, then that’s someone you want on your team.
In the end, representation isn’t a cure-all. You’ll still need to market yourself, communicate with clients, hit deadlines, and do the work. However, a great partnership can open big doors and be a very satisfying relationship over time.
If you’re interested in representation please feel free to check out our representation page here.
About Drew Melton:
Drew Melton is the founder and agent at Closer&Closer. An illustration and animation agency that represents remarkable illustrators, animators, and designers from around the world. He is passionate about helping artists take their careers to the next level.
