How to Become a Momager?

1. Meaning of Momager
2. How to Become a Momager?
3. Dealing with Audition Rejection for Child Actors as Momager
4. How Momager Finds Time for All Family?
5. Do You Need the Experience to Become Momager?
6. Are You Able to Negotiate Contracts?
7. How Do I Become a Successful Momager?

Meaning of Momager

What do Heidi Klum, Justin Timberlake, and the Kardashian sisters have in common? The answer is: they all had their parents work as their managers — at least for a while. The reality TV star Kris Jenner has been managing her kids' careers long before Kardashian was a household name. She has coined the term "momager" — a mother who works as her child's talent manager.

The advantage of being your child’s manager is that you know your little one better than anyone else. A hired manager will keep career interests in the first place, but to you, your child’s personal interests and overall well-being will always be the top priority. You can always monitor their emotional state and health, balance work, school, and play, and help your child truly enjoy this industry. Your unconditional love will help them deal with the demands of working in the adult world.

How to Become a Momager?

For many moms, the reason for becoming momagers is simple — they do not want to give another person so much control over their child’s career. At the same time, moms are unsure if they will be able to make the smartest business decisions. Working as a manager is indeed a very demanding role. You will have to be in charge of every aspect of your child’s career, including finances and publicity. This role requires a deep understanding of the industry, organizational skills, excellent communication and networking skills, and the ability to negotiate. Unfortunately, most parents don’t have the industry knowledge or contacts to be competent managers unless they have worked in this field before.

If you are considering managing your child’s acting career, here are 5 questions to help you put things in perspective:

Dealing with Audition Rejection for Child Actors as Momager

Rejection is inevitable in show business, and one of the biggest mistakes a momager can make is taking rejection too close to heart and then blaming the child. If your child is under a lot of pressure and is afraid they are not meeting your expectations, they won't be able to do their best and will not get cast for projects. In case your child doesn’t book a job, deliver the bad news gently without making them feel rejected.

How Momager Finds Time for All Family?

If you have a child actor, show business will inevitably become a family business. So, talk it over with your child and other family members, leave nothing out, and consider all the pros and cons of you being the child’s manager. Balancing the household can be a real challenge, especially if there are other children or a spouse, so you will have to put your scheduling and multi-tasking skills to use. It is possible that your child will have to be on the road or even gone for months if they land a job in a big project. Ideally, the whole family travels together, but that is rarely possible so you will need to be creative and think about ways to hold the family together.

One of the challenges of being a momager is that the line between being a mom and a boss gets blurry. If the child’s career takes off, it is easy for a parent to get caught up in the business, and the rest of the family may feel neglected if your child feels that the family dynamics are changing because of them (parents fight more often, or a sibling gets jealous), they will feel guilty and won’t be able to perform their best. Your child’s success should be celebrated, but they should not be at the center of attention all the time. If there are other children in the family, make sure they too have a chance to do something exciting and something that makes them proud.

Do You Need the Experience to Become Momager?

There are many challenges to being a momager. Networking is crucial, and then there are unions, adjusting the school schedule, and work permits. If your child is nonunion, you may be able to get more work for them than a hired manager. If, however, you're willing to take your child’s acting to the next level and have them regularly work as well as pay the union dues, consider going with an established manager with a good reputation.

Are You Able to Negotiate Contracts?

Being a manager requires business savvy and attention to detail. It is highly recommended that you don't sign anything straight away and that you document everything regarding the roles and payments. Ask yourself if you are willing to fully commit to the responsibilities and the nitty-gritty of this job, and if you have doubts, hand it over to an experienced, honest, and diligent talent manager.

We think the golden mean is to be a momager in the beginning stages of your child’s career and, as your child advances in their career, involve an experienced manager who knows the industry inside out and will deal with agents, studios, contracts, etc.

At the end of the day, the most important thing for a child actor is to have fun with it. The moment it starts to feel like a job for a child, casting directors can tell. It is essential to provide support and ensure that your child still has “normal” childhood experiences if they start working at an early age. Always look out for the interests of your child as a whole person, not just a performer. Follow this simple rule: when your child says that it's not fun anymore, you need to pull back from the career pursuit and take a break. Remember that acting jobs can come and go, but your role as a parent lasts forever.

How Do I Become a Successful Momager?

Becoming a successful "Momager" (mom + manager) involves several key elements. Here are some tips to help you:

1. Develop a clear vision: As a Momager, you must have a clear vision of your child's talents, abilities, and goals.

2. Be organized: As a Momager, you will have many tasks to juggle, from scheduling auditions and meetings to managing finances.

3. Network: Building relationships with industry professionals is critical for your child's success.

4. Be a strong advocate. You should be willing to fight for your child's best interests and ensure that they are treated fairly and respectfully.

5. Balance your roles. It's important to maintain a healthy balance and not let your role as a manager overshadow your role as a parent.

6. Continuously learn and adapt: The entertainment industry is constantly changing, so it's important to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices.

Becoming a successful Momager requires hard work, dedication, and a strong commitment to your child's success. By following these tips and using KidsCasting, you can help them achieve their dreams while also building a successful career as a Momager.