Most actors want an agent and most are unsure how to go about it. I run Smile Casting in London and I also work as a casting director, so I see a lot of approaches, good and bad. This is the short version.

Get the basics right

A current headshot, a Spotlight profile, a showreel or clips and an honest CV. Agents look at all four before they decide whether to reply, and a gap in any one of them costs you more than most people expect.

Choose who you write to

Emailing every agency in the country rarely works. Which agencies you pick, and why, matters far more than how many you contact.

Write the email

A short, specific email gets read and a long one gets skimmed. What goes in it, and what to leave out, is where most actors go wrong.

Know what agents want

Talent is only part of it. Agents are also thinking about your type, your playing age and whether they could put you forward for work straight away.

Be careful with fees

A genuine agent earns money by taking a commission when you get paid for a job, usually between 10% and 20%. You should not be asked to pay to be signed. Be wary of anyone who asks for money up front or puts you under pressure, and if you are unsure, ask other actors or look at who the agency represents.

After you have sent it

Following up well can help and following up badly can end the conversation. Timing matters, and so does what you say.