# How do I find a Manager/Agent?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-a-manager-agent/269574>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [October 16, 2004, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-a-manager-agent/269574 "2004-10-16T20:33:42Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![dreamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6bbea6/32.png) [@dreamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dreamer)\
**Post date:** [October 16, 2004, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-a-manager-agent/269574/1 "2004-10-16T20:33:42Z")

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I am a Singer/Songwriter and am looking for someone to manage me or represent me. I have found way too many online sites that “say” they will do this for a fee.

I do not want to pay upfront, yet it’s a waste of time to send my Demo to record companies who will never bother listening.

What do I do? Any suggestions?

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**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\
**Post date:** [October 16, 2004, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-a-manager-agent/269574/2 "2004-10-16T20:55:23Z")

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I don’t know about music, only acting and writing, but I suspect that there is a book listing musical agents. If there is an organization of agents with ethics guidelines, that would help. In the areas I know about referrals work very well also.

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**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\
**Post date:** [October 16, 2004, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-a-manager-agent/269574/3 "2004-10-16T21:23:53Z")

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Interesting articles sort of related to the topic

[url"[http://www.tri7entertainment.com/articles/talentagents.htm](http://www.tri7entertainment.com/articles/talentagents.htm)"]What Does A Talent Agent Do?

[WHAT DOES A MUSIC AGENT DO?](http://law.freeadvice.com/intellectual_property/music_law/music_agent.htm)

[WHAT ARE THE MAIN DEAL POINTS IN AN AGENCY AGREEMENT?](http://law.freeadvice.com/intellectual_property/music_law/agency_agreement.htm)

[So you wanna get a talent agent?](http://www.soyouwanna.com/site/syws/talentagent/talentagentFULL.html)

> [@](#):
>
> What is the difference between a Talent Agent and a Manager?  
> A Talent Agency engages in the occupation of procuring and negotiating employment for its clients. Talent agencies may, in addition, counsel or direct clients in the development of their careers. In California, as in most States that have agency regulations, a talent agency must be licensed by the state, city or appropriate governing body. Individuals (like a manager),that do not have an agency license are prohibited from procuring employment for artists.

The [backstage.com message board](http://bbs.backstage.com/ubbthreads.php) also seems a likely place to ask this question.

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**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\
**Post date:** [October 16, 2004, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-a-manager-agent/269574/4 "2004-10-16T21:25:59Z")

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[What Does A Talent Agent Do?](http://www.tri7entertainment.com/articles/talentagents.htm)

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**Author:** ![dreamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6bbea6/32.png) [@dreamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dreamer)\
**Post date:** [October 16, 2004, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-find-a-manager-agent/269574/5 "2004-10-16T22:15:07Z")

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Thanks for the links **astro**. I think it’s time I join the Musicians Union to start, maybe they’ll have some contacts or something.