What do talent agencies do for influencers?

In a world where the internet reigns supreme, being an influencer has become one of the most sought-after careers. But let’s face it, while creating content that resonates with millions of people might be your passion, all the other (arguably less fun) parts of being an influencer is not everyone’s cup of tea. You may want to work with an Influencer Talent Management Agency but wonder, what do talent agencies do for Influencers?

Talent agencies, we as I am one, play a crucial role in helping influencers manage and grow their careers. Here’s what we typically do:

1. Representation: Talent agencies act as representatives for influencers, negotiating deals, contracts, and partnerships on their behalf. This includes securing brand sponsorships, appearances, collaborations, and other opportunities that align with the influencer’s brand and goals.
   
2. Business Development: They assist influencers in developing their brand and expanding their reach. This might involve strategizing content creation, exploring new platforms, or diversifying revenue streams.
   
3. Brand Partnerships: Talent agencies leverage their connections and industry knowledge to match influencers with brands that are a good fit for their audience and niche. They negotiate terms, ensure brand alignment, and manage the logistics of partnerships.
   
4. Legal and Financial Support: Talent agencies provide guidance on legal matters such as contracts, intellectual property rights, and compliance with advertising regulations. They also handle financial aspects like invoicing, payment processing, and budget management.
   
5. Career Guidance: They offer advice and mentorship to influencers, helping them make informed decisions about their careers. This might include guidance on content direction, personal branding, and long-term career planning.
   
6. Networking and Industry Access: Talent agencies provide access to industry events, networking opportunities, and other resources that can help influencers connect with other professionals and grow their influence within their respective industries.

Overall, talent agencies serve as partners and advocates for influencers, helping them navigate the complexities of the digital landscape and maximize their potential for success.

We are the ultimate Fairy Godparents for Influencers, taking care of everything from brand collaborations to legal issues. 

Think of us as the wingwomen who help influencers soar to greater heights while also keeping their feet firmly on the ground.

Y’all need to hear from someone who is a full-time, bona fide, live-and-breath-it Talent Manager. 

This is my life’s work — providing talent management services 24/7/365. I’m negotiating campaigns, connecting with my network of hundreds (maybe thousands? 🤔) of agency & brand reps, and talking with content creators just like you. Around the clock, like your personal superhero on the block, I’ve definitely got my ear to the ground.

My talent management agency has been in business since 2016. All this to say, I know my stuff. *Brushes shoulder, Girl Boss-style*

What does an Influencer Talent Manager do?

Talent managers do many things and wear a lot of hats, as mentioned above. Now I’ll give you a bit of a daily perspective on my work as an Influencer Talent Manager.

Us Influencer talent managers are the face of an influencer’s personal brand whenever brands reach out to inquire about brand deals. 

When it comes to brand inquiries, yours truly becomes the face of these fabulous influencers. It’s my mission to respond swiftly and warmly to brands, all while maintaining or establishing genuine connections. Whether we’re exchanging emails or having a friendly chat, I seize every opportunity to uncover the exciting campaign details. 

And hey, negotiating contracts for our epic brand collaborations? That’s my domain! I tackle it with a warm smile and unwavering determination. Together, we’re an unstoppable force, and I’m here to make sure we conquer the industry, one collaboration at a time. Let’s rock this, my friend!

More often than not the brand or agency works closer with the talent manager than the talent.

The agency hears from me to say “Yes, my Influencer is interested in this campaign. Thanks so much for reaching out. Please tell me more about what you have in mind for this opportunity.” Then I work out all the details — so you don’t have to.

Pro Tip : If you can share a personal story or connection to the brand in your reply, do it!

Talent managers – not all, mind you, but a lot of us – continue to stay involved with the campaign after the agreement has been signed, the creator has the brief, and is working on their content creation. 

I’m a more full service agency for influencers because I’m involved from the first negotiation all the way thru until the final invoice has been paid. 

Remember how I mention that us influencer agents wear a lot of hats? This is where it comes into play. 

I’m a project manager, creating a timeline for the brand collaboration with content due dates, getting the brief for the influencer & helping bounce ideas around if necessary.

Consider me the master air traffic controller in this bustling realm of talent management. When our talented individuals find themselves juggling multiple campaigns, I step in with precision and finesse. 

My keen attention to detail has saved the day more times than I can count! You see, it’s my responsibility to have a panoramic view of the content creator’s calendar, travel arrangements, and personal life. 

Why, you ask? Well, it’s all to ensure that their content is delivered on time, with no pesky overlaps that could compromise exclusivity. We all know how important those buffer windows can be (48 hours, anyone?) for a seamless brand collaboration. 

So rest assured, my friend, I’ve got the organizational prowess to keep everything running like a well-oiled machine. No turbulence on my watch!

In addition to overseeing project management and skillfully negotiating contracts, many of us talent managers wear — get this — EVEN MORE HATS. We become the number one cheerleader, the ultimate hype person, and at times, even the trusted confidant and listener to our beloved influencers. 

We provide unwavering support, offering encouragement, guidance, and occasionally even playing the role of a therapist. We’re there every step of the way, ensuring our talent feels empowered and ready to conquer the world.

Should an Influencer have an agency?

They sure can but not all influencers do. Ultimately, it depends on the influencer and the talent agent finding a mutual agreement that the partnership will be beneficial. Interestingly, there are some really big influencers with tons of followers making 6-7 figures out there who choose not to work with a manager. On the other hand, there are “smaller” influencers with around 10,000 or more followers who do work with an influencer manager. It’s a personal choice, and each influencer decides what works best for them. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach in this industry! Learn more about “should I get an agent as an Influencer?“

How much do Influencer Talent Agents make?

Influencer managers make anywhere from $30,000/annually to millions of dollars a year. Ever heard of Scooter Braun? We earn our income through a commission percentage we take from each brand collaboration deal we negotiate on behalf of our clients. The industry standard typically ranges between 10% to 20%, although many influencer managers I know typically earn the higher end of that range, around 20%. Some managers ( 🙋🏻‍♀️) may also have a retainer fee for the initial 60-90 days of working with a client, in addition to a smaller commission.

Pro tip : If you’ve loved this article, sign up for my weekly newsletter HERE. It’s full of industry insights, brand negotiation tips and scripts, events I’m attending, perspective on how to grow your Influencer business and more. I keep it pretty scrappy and real – would love you to join us over there! CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP.

Do Influencer pay agencies?

Yes, you do pay an agency if you’re working with an Influencer Talent Manager.

Why do influencers need agents?

When your inbox is bursting with amazing paid opportunities, it might be time to consider teaming up with an influencer talent agency.

Agents can help you with :

1. Being more responsive to inbound inquiries
2. Negotiating brand collaborations on your behalf
3. Project managing the paid Influencer campaigns
4. Helping you stay focused on content creation

PSST! Are you an Influencer Talent Manager & just started your own Talent Management Agency? Do you want to learn the ins and outs of the industry? Do you need help pricing your talent’s rates, recruiting Influencers to build your roster & getting insight on where to find brand collabs?

Click HERE to learn about my 8 week Influencer Talent Manager Coaching Mentorship Program, taught by me, Johanna Voss, an award winning Influencer Talent Manager who has closed over $6M worth of brand deals.