If you’re looking to hire a talent management agency to represent you, it may be useful to truly understand the benefits one could provide for you and your career.
In this brief article, we take a closer look at what a talent agency does, the different services that agencies offer and why you should work with one to further your goals.
What is a Talent Agency?
Talent agencies and their agents specialise in representing individuals and protecting their interests. While some talent agencies work only within certain industries and offer a specific set of functions, others work with a range of clientele across different professions and provide them with a multitude of offerings.
Talent agents traditionally represent clients in the entertainment, arts, sports or broadcast industries. This typically includes athletes, musicians, models, bands, artists and other individuals in creative and performative fields.
What Are a Talent Agency’s Core Duties?
Whilst every talent agency is different, they generally work with their business contacts and other commercial agencies to find work for their clients whilst negotiating contracts and carrying out other due diligence.
However, this is far from exhaustive as talent agents may also fulfil several other purposes for their clients that blur the lines between being a talent manager, a publicist, a travel agent and more. Some of these include:
- Scheduling auditions, interviews and media appearances;
- Brokering deals and handling matters such as loyalty fees and contractual clauses, amongst others;
- Providing guidance and coaching on the best career moves to make;
- Managing media requests and all third-party enquires;
- Arranging travel itineraries, visas and work permits, if needed;
- Leveraging professionals in other fields to benefit their client, if possible;
- Liaising between their client and other agencies whilst protecting their interests;
- Creating branding and promotional strategies to further advance their client’s image and garner publicity.
Some talent management agencies, such as London-based CT Advisory, take a 360-approach to handling their clients’ affairs by offering a comprehensive and collaborative solution that includes the above services as well as providing:
- Accounting – managing clients’ finances, from tax compliance through to investing and providing guidance to safeguard their portfolio;
- Lifestyle management – ensuring clients’ style of living is optimal to their needs and looking after day-to-day operations to ensure everything is in order.
How Do You Pick the Right Talent Agency?
By now, you’re probably starting to see the value in working with a talent agency that can help guide your professional career and elevate your growth.
However, it’s important to work with the right type of agency for you, your industry and your goals. A good talent agency will believe in you, work hard to represent you with your interests at heart and have a deep knowledge of the industry you’re in to open up new opportunities.
Some talent managers opt for a hands-on approach and look to give you very specific guidance and instructions as to what you should. Others may take a more laidback and flexible approach and only step in when absolutely required.
Both approaches have their merit and it is up to you to decide which type works best for you. Since there is so much variation in how agents and managers work, it’s always advisable to discuss the finer details about your working relationship with a talent agency before determining who’s right for you and signing on.
At Cue Talent Advisory, we handle all affairs business, management & lifestyle for individuals, businesses and overseas clients in a variety of sectors. To find out more and set up a chat, get in touch via our contact form, email us directly or call us on 0203 815 8005.
