- Assess talent to find artists who have potential.
- Negotiate deals and contracts.
- Draft business plans.
- Coordinate marketing and advertising.
- Book and develop strategies for tours.
- Manage budgets and cash flow.
- Support the artist’s creative vision.
A music journalist, social media guru, and marketer with offices in both NYC and LA, Hugh McIntyre He has spent ten years penning articles about music and the music business, mostly for Forbes but also for publications like Billboard, Fuse, MTV, and many others. He has also handled social media for CEOs, Olympic medalists, and Grammy-winning musicians. FULL BIO.
How To Become An Artist Manager (In The Music Business)
What does an artist manager do?
The careers of musical artists are supported by the work that artist managers do. Some typical tasks for someone in this position include the following:
What is an artist manager?
A professional who helps musicians find jobs is known as an artist manager. In interactions and meetings with other managers and artists, press personnel, journalists, producers, label executives, and other members of the entertainment industry, those in this position represent artists.
Additionally, they offer their artist clients career advice on how to advance in the field and earn money. Musicians rely on their managers to hear out their business ideas, assist them in putting plans into action, and help them build a solid reputation with audiences.
Skills of an artist manager
The following abilities help artist managers succeed in their positions:
How to manage artists
Here are some tips for supporting music artists effectively:
1. Provide emotional support
Encourage your artist to have confidence in their own abilities as an artist manager. You must motivate them and maintain their optimism about potential opportunities. Providing them with sincere emotional support can help them get over obstacles, acquire new skills, and come up with original ideas. To demonstrate your concern for their actions and feelings, think about going to their events.
2. Maintain a positive attitude
Connecting your artist with opportunities may be difficult because the entertainment industry is a very competitive one. However, it’s crucial to keep a positive outlook and keep trying. Many managers achieve success for their clients with the proper amount of preparation, commitment, and patience. To increase the impact of your efforts, evaluate your progress and make necessary method changes.
3. Build your professional network
You can create a strong brand identity and raise awareness by promoting your clients’ names and abilities and cultivating relationships with other managers and artists in the field. As a result, more people might approach you and your client about jobs and business opportunities.
You can seek advice from industry leaders on a variety of issues by cultivating a large professional network. You can develop and improve your management skills by absorbing knowledge from more experienced individuals.
4. Stay available
If business professionals are attempting to get in touch with you to schedule a meeting or job with your client, it is imperative that you remain reachable as a manager. Think about opening your email and messages every day at the same time in the morning, afternoon, and evening. A prospective client will have a positive impression of your professionalism if you respond to messages right away. It’s also critical that you are available to your artist whenever they call or send a message with inquiries or concerns.
5. Explore management companies
If you’re new to the world of music management, it might be beneficial for you to look into management firms and submit an application for an entry-level position there. This will give you the chance to observe a more experienced professional, broaden your knowledge base, pick up useful business skills, and develop your professional network. Working for a company may also enable you to prepare your financial situation for future objectives by providing you with compensation and benefits.
6. Build a resume and portfolio
Showing clients a solid resume and portfolio of your prior professional accomplishments can help you impress them. These records can describe how you assisted previous clients in achieving concrete results. You could also give examples of promotional materials you’ve produced in the past. Make sure to emphasize quantifiable evidence of your accomplishments to demonstrate why you are a strong candidate for the position.
7. Stay organized
It’s essential to keep track of pertinent information in an organized manner in any management position so you can access it later, if necessary. To make a note of significant dates and deadlines, think about using agendas and digital calendar software. For instance, when you first meet someone new in the field, you might make a note of their full name and phone number so you can get in touch with them later.
FAQ
What does a manager do for an artist?
The daily and long-term careers of their clients are shaped by artist managers. They frequently assist clients with booking gigs, organizing record releases and tours, planning albums, developing marketing and merchandising plans, getting paid for their work, and establishing and pursuing long-term career goals.
How do artists get managed?
- Network and Build Relationships. Simple enough, right? …
- Research Music Management Companies. …
- Search LinkedIn and Social Media. …
- Play Live Shows. …
- Enlist Your Friends. …
- Release Quality Music. …
- Have a Developed Artist Brand. …
- Build a Fan Base and Have a Following.
How much should I charge to manage an artist?
A typical management fee ranges from 15% to 20% of your income. Your manager receives a percentage of the money made from album sales, any label advances, and the money made from the agreements they have negotiated.
How do artist managers get paid?
ARTIST MANAGEMENT GETS PAID WHEN THE ARTIST GETS PAID. This implies that the artist manager doesn’t receive a royalty commission until the artist has made a profit. The artist manager, however, ALSO receives a cut of any advances made by the label (or publisher, or agent, or anyone else).
