So I guess what my point is is this: apart from the work experience you're choosing not to discuss, what other experiences/skills/qualities do you bring to the table as a new agent?Are you an avid reader? Have you worked in allied fields (marketing, communications, advertising, intellectual property law, etc.)? Does your experience as a writer shape your approach to being an agent?
I am a very avid reader and have been since a young age. I love fiction though I mainly represent non-fiction. My most closely related field of work would be as a technical writer and communications analyst for a very large, national company for 5+ years (non-publishing related industry). My education is in business management and I'm considering maybe looking into a master's program in the next 1-2 years after my kids are more self-sufficient (of driving age, etc).
But you have the opportunity to sell yourself to thousands of people here--what's your unique selling proposition (as they say in business school)? What do you have to offer that other agents may not?
I wasn't kidding when I said I really wasn't trying to 'sell' myself to new clients here (but I didn't want to scare them, either!). My most marketable trait would be in my tenacity... and maybe also that I really try to encourage authors (and people in general) to stick to their passions. In this industry it is so hard to become dissuaded or feel like all we see is rejection. I try very hard to let authors know that rejection is the biggest part of the job and I try desperately to keep their spirits up and confident about their works.
And I think the clarification on Preditors and Editors is a big step forward right there, and following up here shows great thoroughness. But as a former marketing communications/brand identity consultant myself, I'd ask you this: why not change your company's name? It seems like you're damaging your brand identity by having the same name as a fraudulent company in the same line of work. Since you've only been in business a few months, the risk-to-return ratio of finding a new, unsullied name seems very strong to me.
Ah, alas - I can chalk this up to spending a few thousand dollars on incorporation and legal fees, letterhead, business cards, domain name, etc.
before realizing an icky 'agency' (to use the term loosely!) was doing business with a name
similar to mine a few years ago... So, truth be told, I didn't feel I could afford all the fees a second time. They aren't around anymore, and haven't been for awhile, so I'm hoping that won't affect my branding in the long run. I haven't had any issue with publishers in that regard, and only minimal questions by potential clients, so I haven't stressed over it too much.
...on a totally unrelated note, sorry for the lag in response but I 'had my eyes done' and (for the record) LASIK is like a miracle for those of us who never could wear contacts (and wore glasses since childhood)! That being said, I'm probably going to be M.I.A. catching up on some work (and trying not to 'stress' my eyes, whatever that means).
