A talent agent plays the most important role when it comes to finding showbiz and entertainment career opportunities for your child. However, as in any other high profile industry its essential that parents follow some important guidelines to find the best talent agent for their child, and avoid getting involved with an unscrupulous individual or company:

• Create a 8X10 headshot resume of your child, and keep at least 10 copies with you at all times. If your child has enough experience, you might also consider putting together a more substantial portfolio with detailed information, two or three color and b&w headshots, newspaper/magazine clippings, and if possible a video demo on a DVD.
   
• Register your child with local city and state film commissions. Since these film commissions usually assist filmmakers and television producers obtain necessary permits and licenses to shoot in the area, they have updated database on most of the upcoming productions in the vicinity, and can provide you with contact information for the talent agents currently hiring talent for those productions.
   
• Contact regional and national advertising agencies to find out the names of the talent agencies they most often work with. Please not that advertising agencies do not directly hire the talent, but rather hire talent agencies and production companies to take care of all the hiring, so do not ask them for any available casting opportunities.
   
• Phone the local SAG (Screen Actors Guild) or AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) office for the names of full-service child talent agent in your area. Which means they represent both models and actors. These agents have signed contract with the associations and have agreed to abide by certain rules when signing models or actors. Which means that the agent will usually be more reputable then one not belonging to the association. The association will give you the list of names for free. You can also find them on-line.
   
• You can also look through books that specifically address child modeling. Besides having valuable tips on how to get your child into the modeling industry they often have lists of good child modeling agencies listed.
   
• If possible call or talk to models that are represented by a certain agent. Find out if they are satisfied with their agent. Do they get paid on time? How much work does their agent get them?
   
• When you contact a perspective child talent agent schedule your appointment during regular business hours and meet the agent at his or her office. If they are professional they will not want to meet anywhere else.
   
• While you are waiting to see the talent agent look around the office. Does the office seem busy? Are their pictures of not only clients, but also specific ads that models have done? Are the phones ringing? Are there other people and models waiting? If the answer is yes then the agent is probably someone who knows what they are doing and can help you get work.
   
• While speaking with the agent ask to see composite sheets of models the agent represents. You want to see if the agent represents models in the age range of your child. If they do not then they do not have the necessary contacts to get your child a job. Also you want to make sure that the models in the shots look good and that the models shown in the ads in their office are actually represented by them.
   
• DO NOT PAY ANY FEES TO THE AGENT. A reputable child talent agent makes money when you get paid (usually 10%-15%). They should not ask for upfront money for expenses.