When Should An Artist Seek Management?

Music Business Series

Behind the scenes of every successful artist is a hard-working manager. Their job is to oversee all aspects of an artist’s career. So, you might think—all I need is a manager, and I’ll have a prosperous career! Unfortunately, an excellent manager can help you level up, but will not guarantee a successful career in the music industry.

It’s important to understand exactly WHEN an artist should seek management, and WHAT is involved in an artist-manager relationship…

What is a manager and what exactly do they do?

A manager’s job is to oversee all elements of your career and to make strategic decisions to help you reach your desired long-term goals. Managers may help artists find opportunities, promote their music, orchestrate releases, develop marketing strategies, negotiate contracts, coordinate band members, and much more! In addition to working on their music career, managers have now begun leveraging an artist’s brand, to make it viable for partnerships with other organizations outside of the music industry.

Here are a few manager responsibilities:

Negotiating Contracts
Brand and Marketing Strategy
Assistance with Touring
Artist Development
Budgeting and Finance Management

Who typically manages an artist? And, what is the artist-manager relationship like?

It’s important to have a manager with a vested interest in you, your music, and your career. This is why most artists start off by having their parent or relative as their manager.

An artist manager is the public representative of an artist — the filter system for the artist’s behalf. A manager must have a very close working relationship with the artist. A manager will often have to make decisions on behalf of the artist, and therefore they must trust each other inherently.

Managers with significant industry connections will use their network to align artists with other potentially beneficial acts.

When is the right time to seek professional management?

The best time to get a manager is when you 1) can no longer manage your career on your own and 2) when you are making consistent money off of your music.

It is very important for artists to get experience in all aspects of the business prior to diving headfirst into representation. Management should simply enhance your current business and take you to the next level.

All artists need something to manage first before they can invite a manager onto their team. In most cases, the best booking agents, managers, labels, etc. will come to YOU when you are already well on your way. While a manager may help you book more paying gigs, it is not their job is not to build an artist’s business completely from scratch.

What should you look for in a manager?

A manager must have a masterful understanding of the music industry. Managers needs to be able to communicate with other creative collaborators, negotiate contracts, and create a strategic vision for your career. A manager will constantly make decisions for you on your behalf, so it is important to look for someone who values your art, believes in you, and with whom you’ve developed a personal relationship.

Manager Skills:

Music Business Knowledge
Industry Contacts
Networking
Scheduling
Budget Management
Negotiation

What is needed from the artist?

An artist must continue to work on their own personal and musical development. Take the time to get to know who you are, what you stand for, and why you are making music. When you focus in on these things, you can build a brand. Once you build a successful working brand, you can sell it. After you have proven that you can sell your brand, you are valuable for investment— a.k.a labels and representation.

Your manager may help you throughout the discovery process, but ultimately it is up to the artist to be transparent and honest with themselves.

Thanks for making it this far! I hope this information helps you stay healthy and singing at the top of your game. :)

Take a moment to give yourself major props for investing in YOURSELF and your career. Adjusting your mindset is the first step!

If you’re a female artist in the music industry and would like to continue to advance your career, be sure to apply for our next New Roots Weekend! Applications are free.

Click the link below to apply…

APPLY HERE!

Warmly,

Mark