Agencies do not make money until you, the model or actor, make money! All agencies operate on a commission basis, which means they charge the model or talent a commission and they also charge the client a commission. In North America, it is standard in the modelling industry for an agent to charge up to 20% commission and in the acting industry, 15% to 20% commission for TV & Commercial Print work.

Agencies also earn commissions from Guest Agencies that they place their models/talent with nationally and internationally. The agency that got you started is known as your “Mother Agency” (for modelling) or “Personal Manager” (for acting). The Mother Agent or Personal Manager is your “home base” and acts as manager of the model or talent nationally & internationally by grooming, preparing, promoting, negotiating, securing and obtaining contracts and placements for models & talent in markets all over the world. Guest agencies wishing to sign a model or actor pay the Mother Agent / Personal Manager commissions (in this case, Mode Elle) 5% to 10% out of the commission they take from the model/talent depending on the rate negotiated, how sought after the model/talent is and the potential of the model/talent.