Re[2]: Agents for freelance techwhirlers

[Arlen -dot- P -dot- Walker -at- JCI -dot- COM]

      I was quite surprised to see the figure of 15% proposed for an
      agent's fee. As a freelancer this side of the pond I'm more used to
      an average of 25% commission on the initial contract and a long and
      involved negotiation on percentages on renewal.  Long term contracts
      with agencies on a firm's preferred supplier list may come down to 14
      or 15% but our agencies reckon to be cutting their own throats at
      this rate.

I was surprised as well. I figure anything over the traditional 10% is
robbery. For 25%, they'd better pitch in and help when the deadline
suddenly gets shortened (as it *always* does).

I'd seen some notices that agents in the fiction fields were looking at
upping their cut to 15%, but it didn't seem to get very far.

Yes folks, I know cost of living is going up. But so should the contract
values, which gives an agent an automatic raise. Upping the percentage
simply gives an incentive to get you a contract at the same old pay scale.
Why should the agent get a raise if *you* don't?

Look at it this way. 15% means you spend just less than 1 day per week
drumming up business.

Have fun,
Arlen
Chief Managing Director In Charge, Department of Redundancy Department
DNRC 124

Arlen -dot- P -dot- Walker -at- JCI -dot- Com
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