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- Work closely with performers to build and manage their careers
- You'll need to have good business sense and be a great negotiator
- Your success is closely linked to the success of your clients, so you'll need good judgement
As an agent or manager, you'll usually keep between 10% and 25% of your client's overall fee. These figures are a guide.
attracting top performers onto your books.
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Arrange auditions and bookings for clients
- Negotiate contracts and fees
- Organise tours and booking venues
- Advise clients (like advising actors which roles to audition for)
- Arrange publicity and promotion
- Win clients
- Scout for new talent
- Handle media enquiries, fan mail and requests for personal appearances
- Deal with travel arrangements and work permits
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
As an agent or manager, you'll usually keep between 10% and 25% of your client's overall fee. These figures are a guide.
You'll usually work standard office hours although you may need to be flexible. You may need to attend performances in the evenings or at weekends, or speak to international contacts in other time zones. You'll be office-based, but will often travel to meetings and events, possibly internationally.
The work can be stressful, as there is strong competition to win and keep the best clients. You could work for an agency or artist management company, be self-employed or set up your own agency.
Your progression will depend on building a strong reputation, and attracting top performers onto your books.
You'll need
This role would be ideal for someone who has a highly organised approach to work, business sense, excellent persuading and negotiating skills, the ability to build contacts and close working relationships, and IT and administrative skills.
You could apply directly for this type of job. You may find it useful to have a background in business management, accounting and administration, media or performing arts, particularly if you are applying to work in a larger agency, public relations and marketing and organising and promoting events.
You could start as an administrator or assistant in an agency or artist management company, and work your way up as your experience grows.
You could also become an agent or manager after working as a performer yourself, or by managing colleagues' or friends' careers. This is quite common in the music industry.
A good way to build up your knowledge and experience in the industry is to contact agencies directly and ask if they have any work placements or paid roles for assistants.
Your experience, paid or unpaid, your enthusiasm and your ability to make contacts are more important than academic qualifications.
Foreign language skills and knowledge of contract law could also be helpful.
You may find it useful to join a trade association like The Entertainment Agents' Association Ltd, for networking opportunities and specialist advice.
CAREER PROSPECTS
Once you've gained experience and a long list of industry contacts, you can go freelance, or even set up your own talent agency.