How To Become Talent Manager
- Decide what type of talent you want to manage.
- Establish your qualifications, including the experience and education needed to do the job.
- Create a resume that highlights your experience and educational background, as well as any volunteer work in the field you’re interested in pursuing.
- Apply for jobs and internships at companies where you can gain experience as an assistant, which may lead to higher responsibilities and pay if you show promise for leadership positions within the company.
How To Become Talent Manager
If you’re interested in pursuing a role in the entertainment industry where you can use your interpersonal, leadership and communication skills, consider becoming a talent manager. These professionals collaborate closely with talented actors, singers, writers, models or social media influencers to help them earn more job opportunities and succeed in the entertainment industry. Being a talent manager can require forming connections and improving your industry knowledge to provide clients with valuable advice and guidance. In this article, we discuss what a talent manager is, what they do, how much they make and how to become a successful talent manager.
See your instant resume report on Indeed
Get recommendations for your resume in minutes
What is a talent manager?
A talent manager is a professional in the entertainment industry who works with actors, models and performers to help them grow their fan base, receive more job or financial opportunities and schedule public appearances. Many talent managers develop close relationships with clients to advise them on contract negotiations, auditions or product partnerships with different companies. They might specialize in a specific type of entertainment management area or platform, like film and television, books, social media, music or theater. To ensure they offer effective guidance to clients, most talent managers have advanced knowledge and experience working in the entertainment industry.
Related: What Is a Music Manager? Definition and How To Become One
What does a talent manager do?
Talent managers might locate their own clients or receive assigned clients from their supervisors. When they search for new clients, they may review portfolios, read film or television scripts or attend talent showcases. After talent managers provide clients with opportunities, they may receive around 10% to 20% of these profits as their compensation. Other common responsibilities talent managers may hold can include:
- Locating potential talent by reviewing online work or attending performances
- Pitching their services and fees to potential clients
- Developing marketing strategies to help promote clients and build their platform
- Negotiating contracts and other business arrangements with production companies or influencing partners
- Booking appearances on mediums like podcasts, radio, television, commercials and films to help clients improve their brand awareness and fan base
- Offering support and advice regarding the clients’ careers
- Handling communication between clients and other companies to relay important information and requirements for upcoming collaborations or performances
Related: How To Become a Manager for Celebrities (Plus Skills and Responsibilities)
How to become a talent manager
Follow these steps to become an effective talent manager:
1. Earn your degree
Many employers might require you to earn a high school diploma, while others may prefer a bachelor’s degree. You can consider receiving your bachelor’s degree in areas like communications, marketing, public relations, management or a related field. Earning this degree can give you a clearer understanding of how to manage others and handle business transactions or contract negotiations, which are a few key responsibilities of the role. You could also potentially minor or earn a separate degree in fine arts, film production or a relevant area to increase your entertainment industry knowledge and connections.
2. Gain experience in the entertainment industry
It can be easier to advise or manage clients in the entertainment industry if you have firsthand experience working or performing in it yourself. Consider applying for internships or production assistant roles to better understand how different positions operate in the field, since both these roles consist of supporting various positions on a set. Most employers might feel more comfortable hiring experienced talent managers because it may attract more well-known clients. These clients might feel encouraged to work with established talent managers who understand the industry and can offer them guidance on how to earn high-paying jobs.
Related: How To Become an Actor With No Experience
3. Network with industry professionals
As you continue working in the entertainment industry, you might meet other professionals with several years of experience in the area of entertainment that you manage. These might be employees within your management agency or people interested in hiring your clients for opportunities. Try to meet as many notable people in the industry as possible by building effective, lasting relationships with them. These professionals might connect you with other established employees who might offer unique opportunities to your clients. Consider building relationships with other managers, as they might give you their impressive clients if they decide to pursue other jobs.
Related: How To Become a Talent Agent
4. Determine your niche
Some talent managers might represent clients within all parts of the industry. Others may focus on one specific niche to become an expert in that area to find more targeted opportunities. If you have experience in all areas of entertainment, you can consider working with many clients. For those who prefer centering on one area, consider choosing one with which you have the most experience in or is most relevant to your professional background. For instance, if you have experience with marketing or social media accounts, you could be in charge of influencer clients as a social media manager.
5. Join an organization for support
A professional talent management organization typically consists of experienced employees in the industry who might share ideas, resources and advice with one another. This can be another effective way to network and connect with others who can provide opportunities for yourself and your clients. A potential organization you can consider joining is the Talent Managers Association, which offers industry news and a network of professionals to keep you informed on events occurring in the industry.
Top job searches near you
Salary for talent managers
The national average salary for a talent manager is $52,344 per year, according to Indeed Salaries. This amount can vary depending on the popularity of your clients, the number of clients you represent and the type or size of the company that employees you. Most talent managers earn anywhere from 10% to 20% of the profits the clients earn and may split an additional percentage with the agency. Some agencies may pay managers an annual salary with a commission as additional compensation. Other managers only earn compensation through the commissions gained from clients.
