Managers
A manager helps shape the career rather than merely filling dates.
Know the function
Managers may advise on long-term strategy, team building, projects, brand, representation, negotiations, and opportunities. The exact role varies widely.
A title is less important than the work actually being done.
Representation should reduce friction and expand opportunity, not merely add another person to every email.
What a Manager Should Do
A good manager helps turn separate opportunities into a coherent career.
Build priorities
Touring, writing, acting, podcasting, specials, social content, and business projects can compete for time. Management should help decide what serves the larger plan.
Busy is not automatically strategic.
Management should improve the quality of decisions.
Commission Structures
Commission structures determine when representation gets paid and which income is included.
Read the base
Gross compensation, net compensation, specific entertainment income, or all professional income are very different commission bases.
Definitions control the math.
Commission language is math with legal consequences.
Exclusivity
Representation agreements may grant exclusivity by service, territory, medium, or opportunity type.
Define the lane
Exclusive live booking in North America is different from exclusive representation for all entertainment worldwide.
Narrow language gives both sides clearer expectations.
Know exactly which opportunities you are giving someone the exclusive right to handle.
Leaving Representation
Ending a representation relationship should be handled as deliberately as entering it.
Read the agreement first
Notice periods, cure provisions, post-term commissions, pending negotiations, expenses, and confidentiality may survive termination.
Do not terminate from memory.
End the contract before you end the relationship in public.
