How to Get an Acting Agent Without Experience or Credits

Securing an acting agent is one of the most crucial milestones for an actor, as this serves as the means to securing future roles and growing in the industry.

For beginners, especially, it can feel like the biggest, most intimidating step in starting your acting career.

You might think you need a list of film or theatre credits before anyone will even glance at your headshot.

The truth is, plenty of actors land their first agent with little to no professional experience. How? Well, it's about how you prepare, present, and approach yourself to the right people the right way.

If you’re wondering how to get a talent agent without a resume, you’re not alone.

Every year, countless actors start from scratch and find acting representation by demonstrating they’re ready for work, easy to promote, and worth investing in.

That means building a professional image, creating strong materials, and putting yourself where opportunities can find you.

In this guide, we’ll walk through practical, beginner-friendly steps on how you can get an acting agent even if you’ve never set foot on a professional stage.

How to Get an Acting Agent - Key Steps You Need to Know

From what we’ve spoken to casting directors, agents, and acting coaches, here are a couple of strategies to help you land an acting agent:

1. Start with a Commercial Agent as Your Entry Point 
2. Know When to Self-Submit to Casting Directors
3. Create a Simple Online Portfolio Website 
4. Plan Realistic Timelines and Adapt to Your Market
5. Use Agent Assistants or Internships as Stepping Stones 
6. Build a Professional Social Media Presence
7. Set Weekly Audition or Submission Goals 
8. Personal Referrals Put You in a Very Powerful Position
9. Attend Agency Showcases Through Studios 
10. Get Discovered by Putting Yourself Out There

1. Start with a Commercial Agent as Your Entry Point

Many beginners think they have to land a film or theatrical agent right away, but a commercial acting agent can often be the fastest way in.

Commercial work, by way of doing ads on TV, online videos, or social media, requires fresh faces regularly.

Therefore, these agents are generally open to signing newcomers because commercial work does not require you to have a heavy CV rather depends on your personality, presence, and availability.

Now, to search for commercial agents, begin by researching agencies that have a sole commercial division and submit your resume directly to them.

For those whose ultimate aim is to be in theatre or movies, we understand. But commercials, especially for beginners, provide you with:

• Valuable on-camera experience.
• Opportunity to earn money.
• Footage for your acting reel.

Win-Win, right?

2. Know When to Self-Submit to Casting Directors

While you’re working toward getting an acting agent as a beginner, you can still put yourself in front of casting directors by self-submitting for acting auditions through reputable casting websites for actors.

This is a powerful way to get early experience and start building relationships in the industry.

For this, you need to book a role in a student film, a small independent project, or an online series.

These jobs might not be glamorous, but this experience can:

• Teach you how sets operate and provide you with a beginner's crash course on the day-to-day workings.
• Build your confidence in front of the camera.
• Give you credits to add to your acting CV or online portfolio.

Even if it doesn’t work out, keep a record of every self-submission. It will show future agents that you’re serious about your acting career and active in finding a representation.

3. Create a Simple Online Portfolio Website

A personal acting portfolio website is one of the easiest ways to look professional and organized, even at the very start of your career.

Instead of sending headshots, reels, and resumes as separate attachments, you can send one link that holds everything an agent or casting director needs to see.

Your site should include your best headshots, a short bio that highlights your training and skills, a resume, and video clips that show your acting range.

Add clear contact information or a contact form so it’s effortless for someone to reach out.

This is especially useful if you’re looking for acting representation and want agents to see your work instantly.

4. Plan Realistic Timelines and Adapt to Your Market

Getting an acting agent without experience isn’t something that happens overnight, especially if you’re brand new to acting.

In major markets like Los Angeles or New York, you might have around 6-12 months to prepare all the materials, build a body of work, and start getting meetings.

Whereas, in smaller cities, you may be able to get in touch with an acting agent more quickly, but you’ll likely land fewer projects overall when compared to larger cities.

Planning your steps over a realistic timeline keeps you from getting discouraged and helps you stay focused.

Break your processes into manageable phases, such as:

• Spend the first few months educating, training yourself, and creating headshots.
• The next couple of months, focus on applying for and booking smaller projects that come your way.
• Refine your materials and start approaching acting agents in the chosen city or niche.
  

See, having a clear plan will make the process feel less like guesswork and more like steady progress.

The less you feel overwhelmed, the better you will be able to focus on your end goal.

5. Use Agent Assistants or Internships as Stepping Stones

This is one of the easiest, most direct answers to the question of how to approach acting agents when you have no prior credits.

Most people imagine their email going straight to an agent’s desk, but in reality, an assistant often reviews submissions first.

These assistants handle scheduling, organize client lists, and sometimes recommend promising actors to their bosses.

So, how does one come across an assistant? Well, they’re quite prominent at industry events, acting workshops, or you can also meet them during an internship at the agency.

By getting to know the people who manage the day-to-day work, you increase the chances that your materials will be noticed.

Ensure that you’re respectful of their time, follow up politely if you’ve met them before, and remember that every interaction is part of your professional reputation.

6. Build a Professional Social Media Presence

These days, your online presence is part of your acting portfolio and plays a role in how to get an acting agent today.

Agents and casting directors may look you up before they call you in, so your social media accounts should reflect you as a serious, working actor.

This doesn’t mean you need a massive following, but it does mean your profiles should be clean, professional, and focused on your craft.

Nowadays, social media has also proven to be a key part in showcasing your talents and skills in the niche you wish to delve into.

You can also produce your content by way of reels, short sketches, or web series that can be aired on channels like YouTube, Instagram, and more.

By doing this, you demonstrate initiative and, at the same time, allow yourself to grow an online audience/fan following.

Some actors have even been cast in shows and films directly because of viral videos.

Here are a few tips to ace social media as a budding actor:

• Keep captions clear and positive, and avoid posting anything that might make you seem unreliable or unprofessional.
• Use hashtags strategically to reach casting-related audiences (e.g., #CastingCall, #ActorLife, #SelfTape).
• Tag acting schools and workshops to boost your visibility.
• Link your acting portfolio website in your bio so agents and casting directors can view your full materials easily.

7. Set Weekly Audition or Submission Goals

Momentum is everything in the early stages of an acting career path. Instead of waiting for the perfect opportunity, give yourself a target number of auditions or submissions each week.

This could be as simple as sending your materials to two acting auditions for beginners and filming one self-tape.

The more you audition, the more comfortable you’ll become with the process, and the more chances you’ll have to land roles.

Even auditions that don’t lead to a job help you learn, adapt, and improve.

Tracking your progress in a notebook or spreadsheet can show you how far you’ve come and keep you motivated when things feel slow. Consistency is what turns effort into results.

8. Personal Referrals Put You in a Very Powerful Position

Firstly, referrals don’t happen overnight. We do get it, but it is a very powerful tool you can use to land an acting role.

How can one land referrals? Well, here are a few ways:

• Attend acting classes, workshops, and other events where industry professionals are present.
• Connect with other actors either through social media or an event. The idea here is to build relationships, not contacts.
• Be prepared. When someone is considering referring, have everything ready. They need to feel confident you’ll represent them well.
  

Landing a referral from a trusted source puts you in a very powerful position to land an acting role that you’ve submitted for.

In other words, a recommendation from someone an agent trusts can turn a cold submission into a meeting.

You can ask referrals from your acting coaches, casting directors, fellow actors, and other industry professionals.
Here’s a template you can use: “I’m looking to approach [Agency Name], and I noticed you’re represented there. If you’re comfortable, would you mind passing along my reel?”

9. Attend Agency Showcases Through Studios

Some acting studios run showcases where agents come specifically to scout talent. They’re one of the quickest ways for beginners to get noticed by acting agents.

These showcases are carried out by acting studios and programs where students perform short scenes in front of invited agents or casting directors.

Our advice would be to choose a scene that is according to your strengths. Keep it short, polished, and ensure your headshots, resume, and reel are all ready beforehand.

If an agent shows interest, follow up within 24-48 hours with a polite thank you email and a link to your acting portfolio website.

Showcases can lead to direct representation, but you need to vet them. Look for a proven track record of actors getting signed, qualified teachers, and genuine testimonials. Avoid studios that can’t back up their claims.

10. Get Discovered by Putting Yourself Out There

The heading speaks a thousand words. Create your own work by publishing short films, scenes, or even just a strong monologue filmed on your phone.

Use platforms like Backstage to post the work you’ve done. Luck matters for sure, but you’ll know when you take that plunge and offer something worth noticing.

Join a local theatre, take acting classes, and get active in Facebook groups, Reddit forums to build both your skills and your network.

Conclusion

Getting an acting agent without experience is about making yourself visible, prepared, and professional enough that an agent can see the value in representing you right now.

Starting with commercial work, self-submitting for projects, building your skills, and keeping a consistent audition routine are all moves that create momentum.

Pair that with a strong online presence both on social media and through a simple acting portfolio website, and you’re no longer just another beginner hoping for a break.

Agents want to work with actors who show commitment, adaptability, and initiative.

By following the steps in this guide, you’re not only making it easier for an agent to say yes, you’re also building a foundation for long-term acting success.

Showcase your headshot, reels, and resume online. Start the 15-day free trial!

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need an agent to start acting?

No. Many actors start by self-submitting to casting calls on reputable casting websites for actors. This helps you build credits, create an acting reel, and gain set experience.

Having an agent can open more doors, but you can begin your acting career without one, especially in commercials, student films, and independent projects.

How do I get an acting agent without experience or credits?

Focus on building a professional image and basic materials first. That means high-quality acting headshots, a short resume listing training or workshops, and a couple of short performance clips.

You can start by self-submitting for small roles, then approach commercial acting agents or agencies that represent beginners.

Networking with casting directors, attending workshops, and connecting with agent assistants can also help.

What’s the difference between a commercial agent and a theatrical agent?

A commercial agent finds you work in advertisements on TV, online, and in print campaigns.

A theatrical agent represents you for film, television, and stage roles. Commercial agents often sign beginners more readily, while theatrical agents usually expect more acting credits.

How long does it take to get an acting agent?

It can take anywhere from a few months to a year or more, depending on your location, preparation, and market demand.

In big cities like Los Angeles or New York, competition is high, so building your materials and network before submitting is important.

Smaller markets might move faster, but there may be fewer agents to choose from.

Can I get an acting agent for commercials first and then move into TV or film?

Yes, this is a common path for beginners. Commercial work gives you on-camera experience, pays well, and helps you collect professional footage for your reel.

Many actors transition from commercial representation to theatrical or film representation once they’ve built experience.

How do I approach acting agents professionally?

Send a short, polite email that includes your headshot, résumé, and links to your acting portfolio website or reels.
Personalize each message by mentioning why you want to be represented by that particular agent.

Follow their submission guidelines closely and avoid sending overly large files (links work best).

Should I have a portfolio website as a beginner?

Yes, an acting portfolio website is a professional way to present your work in one place.

Include your best headshots, short bio, resume, reels or clips, and clear contact information.

This makes it easy for agents or casting directors to view your materials without searching through multiple files or social media profiles.