BTS: What a Talent Manager Does
If you’re working in fashion or curious about jobs in fashion, you’ve probably heard the term talent manager or talent agent when it comes to influencer and creator campaigns. But what do they actually do? And how do you break into this role if you want to work at a brand or agency - or even manage creators yourself?
“What’s a Talent Manager, really?”
When you want to book an influencer or creator for a campaign, you almost always go through their talent manager. These professionals keep everything running smoothly for both the creator and the brand. They do a lot more than just negotiate deals.
Here’s the full rundown:
Pitch their talent out to brands for potential deals and new opportunities
Negotiate contracts so creators get paid fairly and on time
Manage schedules and bookings to make sure nothing clashes
Handle the endless back-and-forth emails and phone calls
Plan long-term career moves so their clients keep growing
Make sure content is delivered on time, exactly as agreed in the campaign
Chase payments for their talent, so no one gets left hanging
Step in when things get tricky (last-minute changes, PR issues, etc.)
If you’re working at a brand or agency, building a good relationship with talent managers will make your campaigns much easier to run.
How to become a talent manager or agent (even if you’re just starting out)
Thinking about getting into fashion and talent management? You don’t need years of experience, just the right mindset and skills:
Great communication: Managing emails, calls, and tricky conversations
Confident negotiation: Getting the best deals and protecting your talent
Organised multitasking: Juggling schedules, contracts, and deadlines without dropping the ball
Industry savvy: Knowing what brands want and what creators need
Networking skills: Building and maintaining strong relationships is everything
Calm problem-solving: Campaigns rarely go exactly to plan, so you need to keep cool
Most talent managers start by assisting or interning at agencies or working with smaller creators, then build from there.
How to book talent for your next campaign
If you’re responsible for booking creators or influencers, you have to reach out to their talent manager, but how you do it matters. A well-crafted email can make the difference between a yes, a maybe, or being ignored.
Here’s how you can reach out to a talent agency from the brand or media agency side: you want to be clear, professional, and respectful of their time. Introduce yourself, explain the campaign briefly, and be upfront about deliverables, timelines, and budget.
Curious? You’ll find this and plenty more insider info in business &PLEASURE the ultimate resource for getting your foot in the door of the fashion, marketing and e-commerce industry.
Some key Australian talent agencies to know about
If you’re looking to get a sense of how the talent management scene works here, check out these Australian agencies who handle some of the biggest creators and influencers:
Why talent managers matter for fashion brands and influencer campaigns
In Australia’s booming influencer marketing world, talent managers keep campaigns on track, protect creators’ interests, and make sure brands get what they need. If you want to work at a brand or agency and run campaigns without headaches, learning how to work with talent managers is a must.
Ready to step up your game?
Whether you want to book creators with confidence or start your own career as a talent manager, business &PLEASURE has everything you need. Inside, you’ll find the email templates, insider tips, and career advice that nobody else will give you.
Purchase the business &PLEASURE guide today, unlock all the templates, and start making moves in the world of fashion, content, and talent management.
