Some agents have requested fees to be on their talent reel, website, etc. Is this the norm?
It depends on a few variables. Union agents don't normally charge talent to be on their roster. Union rates are much higher - the agent makes enough on commissions to cover their promotional costs. Here's the scoop: as a professional voice talent, your agent charges you a fee (commission) on every single voice-over job they get you (usually 15-20%). If they think you are professional enough to be on their roster, then they’ll put you on it - no charge. The only fees you should incur with a Union agent are the aforementioned commissions and costs for copying, editing or packaging your professional voice talent demo.
Non-Union is a different story. Quite a few Non-union agents charge a fee for a listing because they don't have the built-in "network" to promote their voices like the union agents. Non-union agents have to work and dig more for their clients so their promotional costs are higher. Plus, non-union agents have to deal with a lower "take" per job, than the union agents - so they have to make up for that by charging their professional voice talent fees for promotional and other services.
Paying for a roster listing can be good deal - or a bad one. Again, buyer beware. Ask what you are getting in exchange for your listing fee and have a look at the product and roster they are sending out to their clients. It's also a good idea to talk to other professional voice talent who are signed with the agent and get references.
