People often seek managers early because they believe it will fast-track their careers and get things popping. There’s a common misconception that having a manager automatically leads to more opportunities, connections, and success. It’s less about where they are in their career and more about where they think they’ll go with that added support.
I want to break down my opinion on why I feel this happens. Many believe that having a manager makes them look more "legit" in the industry. It’s more about image than results. It’s the same damn thing as having an agent without booking gigs. It feels like a step up, even if it doesn’t change much. I’ve seen this time and time again over the years.
Some talent genuinely feel lost and hope a manager will provide direction, even if they’re not booking yet. They think the manager will figure out their career for them instead of doing the groundwork first. I don’t know many managers who can survive off one client, so it’s always a plus to handle the groundwork yourself.
The mindset often is: “If I get a manager, they’ll handle everything, and I’ll just focus on my craft.” But managers aren’t parents. Without personal drive and professionalism, a manager can't make that happen. It all circles back to trying to skip the grind.
Networking-wise, some talent believe a manager can connect them to key players, hoping association equals success. And let’s not forget the influence of friends and peers. FOMO kicks in, and they feel left behind. It’s driven more by insecurity than logic.
In my personal opinion, a manager should come after someone is booking regularly and proving they’re worth managing. Otherwise, it’s just another person in the mix without clear returns. Talent needs to do the legwork first—be professional, work hard, and show they can book.
Managers and agents can only amplify what’s already working. If there’s nothing to amplify, it’s just noise. Believe me, there’s a lot of noise out there.
For the record, this is my personal opinion, based on real experience in the industry.
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