Are You Ready for an Influencer Talent Manager? 7 Signs You Should Hire One

Jenny Dinh Safransky, Influencer Talent Manager (photo credit: Analyphoto)

Whether you identify as an influencer, or business creator, you’ve built your platform, secured brand collaborations, and grown a loyal audience. But at a certain point, managing brand deals, negotiations, and content planning can become overwhelming. That’s where a talent manager comes in. But how do you know if you’re truly ready to take that next step?

1. You’re Getting Inbound Brand Deals, But Managing Them Is Overwhelming

If your inbox is overflowing with brand partnerships and you're struggling to keep up, it might be time to bring in an influencer talent manager. A good manager helps filter out lowball offers, negotiate better rates, and handle the back-and-forth, so you can focus on creating instead of drowning in emails.

An experienced manager knows your brand inside and out from what aligns, what doesn’t, and what truly moves the needle for you. If you’re consistently landing inbound deals and generating six figures in brand partnerships, you're in a strong position to bring in management and maximize every opportunity without missing a beat.

That said, not all managers have the same requirements. Some work with creators bringing in the minimum of $100K+ per year in brand deals, while others may start at $75K+ or something completely different. Why is it common that managers have this threshold? It’s a sign that you have enough inbound deals to justify hands-on management, so you can scale without burning out.

You need the right support aka a talent manager, if you’re serious about scaling your business and brand. When juggling content creation, a flooded inbox, brand negotiations, and everyday life starts feeling like too much, it’s a sign you’re ready for help. A manager takes the weight off your shoulders so you can focus on what you do best: creating and growing

2. You Want to Secure Bigger & Better Brand Deals

If you’ve been landing partnerships but want to level up…think long-term deals, higher pay, and more strategic collaborations having a talent manager by your side can make all the difference. Managers have the industry expertise, brand connections, and negotiation skills to get you more lucrative opportunities.

A report from Influencer Marketing Hub (2023) found that creators with professional management or representation tend to secure higher compensation for brand deals due to better negotiation strategies and industry insights.

Whether it’s negotiating higher rates to align with industry standards, or turning gifted deals to paid partnerships, a manager will make sure it’s ultimately a win-win partnership aligned with you.

3. Negotiating Contracts Feels Overwhelming

Contracts can be tricky, from exclusivity clauses to usage rights and payment terms. If you’re unsure how to protect your worth and ensure fair compensation, a talent manager takes the guesswork out of negotiations and advocates for you.

Talent managers leverage market data, past deals, and brand relationships to push for fairer rates and better contract terms. A good manager will get you paid your worth and value by knowing how to effectively communicate with the people behind the brands.

4. You’re Spending More Time on Admin Work Than Creating Content

If your creativity is taking a backseat because you’re stuck responding to emails, reviewing contracts, and tracking invoices, it’s time to bring in help. A manager allows you to focus on what you do best creating authentic content—while they handle the business side. We know chasing down invoices is never fun, so your manager will keep on top of it so you don’t have to!

According to a study by Later & Mavrck, influencers spend 40%+ of their time managing brand deals, invoicing, and negotiations. Talent managers handle these aspects, allowing creators to focus on content creation and audience engagement.

5. You’re Ready to Build a Long-Term Brand and Want a Trusted Partner

A talent manager isn’t just about handling deals, they can help you craft a long-term strategy. Whether it’s expanding into new verticals, launching products, or securing partnerships beyond social media, a manager helps you grow sustainably. JDS Projects clients’ have gone beyond social from speaking engagements all the way to published authors! The sky is truly the limit, but you have to want it.

Being a creator can feel isolating, especially when making big career decisions. A talent manager acts as a partner, providing guidance, support, and strategy tailored to your goals.

Jenny believes in her clients and their potential, and with that she has built trusted relationships with her creator clients. A healthy creator and talent manager relationship is build on a strong foundation. Meaning, a talent manager not only delivers good news, but they will also show you some tough love if there are certain aspects you need to work on in order to grow as a creator.

6. You’re Consistently Showing Up and Have High Engagement

Brands aren’t just looking at follower count anymore, they care about engagement. Does your content consistently spark meaningful interactions, such as comments, shares, and saves? Then you’ve built a loyal community that trusts your recommendations and are in a strong position for brand partnerships.

But keeping up with consistent content creation while managing negotiations, contracts, and brand relationships can be overwhelming. A talent manager can step in to help you maximize these opportunities, ensuring you’re securing the best deals while you stay focused on creating and connecting with your audience.

With Jenny as your talent manager, she is your advocate, negotiator, and coach helping you go from feeling overwhelmed to thriving.

7. You Care About the Perception of Professionalism & Credibility

Research by Forbes and Business Insider highlights that brands view managed talent and creators as more reliable and professional, making them more likely to secure long-term, high-value partnerships.

Creators often report feeling more established and confident in their careers when working with management, as it signals to brands that they take their business seriously.

When you work with Jenny, you can count on reliable and timely brand communication. No more stressing over emails or missing deadlines, she handles it all. Brands expect quick, professional responses, but as a creator juggling content, life, and work, it’s easy for things to slip through the cracks. That’s where Jenny comes in, ensuring you never miss an opportunity while you focus on what you do best, like the fun stuff—creating.

Jenny Dinh Safransky, Founder of JDS Projects - Talent Manager (photo credit: Analyphoto)

Not Ready for Management Yet? We’ve Got You!

If you’re not quite ready to bring on a talent manager but still want to secure brand deals with confidence, you can still work with Jenny. Check out the JDS Projects Brand Partnerships Starter Package designed for you!

✨ This done-with-you package includes:
✅ Essential tools & templates to pitch brands
✅ Insider tips on negotiation & pricing (helping you establish the right rates!)
✅ 1:1 coaching to help you land your next deal with confidence (don’t worry, we got you!)

If you're ready to take control of your brand deals and grow at your own pace, learn more here: Brand Partnerships Starter Package.

So, Are You Ready?

Whether you’re looking for full management or just the right tools to handle brand deals on your own, Jenny is here to support you. Let’s get you positioned for success!

📩 Interested in learning more? Reach out to Jenny today! www.jdsprojects.com/contact