Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes

Career Overview

Represent and promote artists, performers, and athletes in dealings with current or prospective employers. May handle contract negotiation and other business matters for clients.

Also Known As

Agent
Booking Agent
Talent Agent
Theatrical Agent

Alternate Job Titles

Acquisition Agent
Advance Agent
Agent
Artist Manager
Artist Representative
Artist's Manager
Artist's Representative
Athlete Manager
Athlete Marketing Agent
Athletic Agent
Author's Agent
Band Manager
Booker
Booking Agent
Booking Manager

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

Collect fees, commissions, or other payments, according to contract terms.
Send samples of clients' work and other promotional material to potential employers to obtain auditions, sponsorships, or endorsement deals.
Keep informed of industry trends and deals.
Conduct auditions or interviews to evaluate potential clients.
Negotiate with managers, promoters, union officials, and other persons regarding clients' contractual rights and obligations.
Confer with clients to develop strategies for their careers, and to explain actions taken on their behalf.
Develop contacts with individuals and organizations, and apply effective strategies and techniques to ensure their clients' success.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

Customer and Personal Service
Sales and Marketing
English Language
Administration and Management
Fine Arts
Communications and Media

Essential Skills

Success in this career requires strong skills in:

Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Speaking
Persuasion
Negotiation
Social Perceptiveness
Critical Thinking
Coordination
Time Management
Writing

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

Oral Expression
Oral Comprehension
Written Comprehension
Problem Sensitivity
Speech Recognition
Speech Clarity
Deductive Reasoning
Written Expression
Inductive Reasoning
Near Vision

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

Social Orientation
Self-Confidence
Perseverance
Leadership Orientation
Dependability

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

Achievement
Independence
Working Conditions
Recognition
Relationships

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree

Related Work Experience Needed: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years

On-the-Job Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months

Education Details: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Experience Required: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

Adobe Photoshop
Apple macOS
Facebook
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Word
Salesforce software
Zoom

Tools & Equipment

Computer data input scanners
Desktop computers
Digital video cameras
Laser facsimile machines
Multiline telephone systems
Personal computers
Tablet computers
Teleconferencing equipment
Videoconferencing equipment

Work Environment

Telephone Conversations
E-Mail
Contact With Others
Time Pressure
Spend Time Sitting

Salary & Job Market

Salary Percentile	Annual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)	$48,530
Median	$96,310
Top Earners (90th percentile)	>$239,200

Workers Employed Nationally: 14,220