How to Become a Talent Manager

Developing the Right Background

Become active in the performing arts. Get involved with local stage productions by auditioning for a role or volunteering to help backstage. Start or join a band, or try your hand at stand-up comedy. Dig into the performing arts in general and discover what you're passionate about. Your passions will help you decide what aspect of the industry you want to work in. For instance, you might immerse yourself in the work of important musicians and actors from the last 50 years, or explore the world of streaming radio.

Obtain a 4-year degree in marketing or business. There is no formal coursework that teaches you to be a talent manager, but most roles call for at least a bachelor's degree. Choose a major that emphasizes skills in communication, finances, organization, and business matters. Talent management requires the use of these skills on a daily basis. For example, undergraduate degrees in marketing, communications, public relations, or human resources are all great options that can help prepare you for talent management. Pursue a minor in fine arts to better understand the creative minds you will be working with.

Familiarize yourself with the entertainment industry. Many talent managers were once performers themselves or are connected to the entertainment industry in some way, such as being an acting teacher, producer, or theater critic. Explore ways you can get hands-on experience with the industry. For example, you could start a blog of film reviews, or apply for a summer job as a local theater director's assistant.

Identify the type of performer you want to work with. While talent agents may represent a large number of clients on behalf of their agency, talent managers usually represent and work closely with an individual. Knowing the kind of people you like to work with will be important to your success. For example, if music is your passion, focus on working with musicians. If you want to work with actors, focus on the film, stage, or television industries.

Getting Started in the Industry

Relocate to an entertainment industry hot spot. To work in the entertainment industry, you have to go where to action is. Depending on where you live, this could be New York, Los Angeles, London, Mumbai, Las Vegas, Tokyo, and so on. The closest major city is a great place to start. Choose a location that makes sense for the particular industry you want to work in. For example, if you want to work with musicians, go for New York, Los Angeles, London, Nashville, etc. For stage acting and entertainment, consider Las Vegas or New York. For television and radio, try the closest major city.

Take a low-level position or internship with a management agency. Talent managers often start their careers in lower-level positions with management firms or agencies, and then work their way up to management. Take whatever job you can find with a talent management agency, such as an administrative or assistant role, and dedicate yourself to moving up the ladder. If you can't find a talent management agency to work with right away, you can also learn more about the industry by working for producers, directors, or casting directors.

Look for opportunities to take on more responsibility. As you gain more experience during your internship or position, look for the chance to assist in evaluating scripts, planning tours, or developing promotional packages. Take on extra projects and show a keen interest in learning more. Strive to be personable, reliable, and hardworking. Working for a talent management firm allows you to be around a lot of different performers. Eventually, you may be given complete charge over a client, which could be the start of your career.

Grow your network within the industry. As you advance your career, you will meet many important people in your industry. Focus on creating strong, lasting connections with talent and managers alike, growing your social and professional currency and relevance. Your connections will be valuable assets when you start working directly with clients, so view networking as a top priority.

Working as a Talent Manager

Join a professional organization. Joining an organization such as the Talent Managers Association (TMA) gives you the chance to learn more about the business from your colleagues and find more networking opportunities. The TMA maintains an online registry of its members, who are required to follow the association's code of ethics. There is no better way to advance your career than surrounding yourself with the best people working in the field.

Be prepared to work closely with strong personalities. Unlike talent agents, who take a more reserved role in a performer's career, a manager works closely and personally with clients. You may have to navigate large egos, obnoxious behavior, emotional breakdowns, and stressful environments. You will need to be a sort of advisor and provide support and counsel to your clients on both a personal and professional level, so be prepared to work intimately with them. For example, you may need to calm down a client who's just broken up with her boyfriend. Their breakup has nothing to do with her career, but she comes to you for comfort and guidance nevertheless. In a more extreme example, you may have a troubled client who is experiencing problems with drugs and alcohol. You might have to take charge of the situation and help them check into rehab.

Keep your client list small. To be an effective talent manager, you'll need to work closely with your clients every single day. This is a time-consuming role. Most talent managers limit themselves to having around 5 clients in total. If you are working with a particularly high profile client, you may want to work solely for them. Avoid spreading yourself too thin to keep your clients happy.

Communicate and meet with your clients frequently. You will need to interact with your clients almost every day to provide advice, assistance, and guidance. Touch base with them by phone or email each day when you get into the office. If needed, set up appointments with them, so you can go over their schedules or scripts in person. Keep them on schedule by setting up reminders for appearances and shoots. Give them your thoughts about new roles they're considering, or their newest song or project.

Meet with prospective clients. Attend actor's workshops, concerts, and events to scope out talent to add to your roster. Keep your particular strengths in mind and look for clients who can most benefit from those strengths. For example, if networking is your strong suit, consider working with up-and-coming talent in need of their next break. If you excel at organization and task management, consider taking on clients with established careers who need help managing their day to day activities.