The manager is an important figure in the basic team of an artist or a band. Represents the partner of the artist or group and receives 10-20% of all the proceeds from those for whom he works. It has the task of directing, motivating and filtering the commercial aspects of a musical career to obtain workable information in order to promote the artist or the group.
Steps
Step 1. Learn about the industry
The first step to becoming a manager is to be aware of what characterizes the music industry. You will be in charge of advertising, record label relations, release relations, concert venues, public relations and all other aspects of this career. You may have all the skill, the passion and the ability to get by in the world, but without the knowledge of the industry you work in, you and your profession won't get far. Check out the "Tips" section for a good learning resource.
Step 2. Create your management company
Come up with a name for your business and create a business card. Business cards help you give yourself legitimacy. Open a MySpace page or website (if you have the necessary funds) for your company and put the link on your business card. Draw up a Declaration of Intent and post it on your site.
Step 3. Find a group or artists to manage
This can be difficult and easy at the same time, it all depends on where you are, how hard you try and where you seek. Attend local concerts; when you notice potential, wait until the show ends and give the band your business card. Don't be pushy or arrogant. All you have to do is express your admiration to them and let them know that you would like to talk to them (Read “First Impressions” in the “Tips” section).
- Find a chance to perform at clubs and other venues in your city. Go see all the shows you can.
- Find online representation possibilities by looking at the managers and announcements of sites like bandFIND.com. Find a site that specializes in connecting the music industry and artists.
Step 4. Make sure you represent the right artists
Don't fossilize with any band because you absolutely want to work and it is your desire to be a manager that drives you to want to advance the career of an artist or a band. It can take a while to generate revenue because you will only get a fraction of what the group or artist earns. You have to believe in what you stand for, or you won't get far.
Step 5. Make yourself heard
Once you've found the band or artist you want to represent, send a confirmation email or MySpace message. It should be short. Don't say yet that you want to be their manager. Simply make an appointment and let them know you'd like to discuss their career and goals.
Step 6. Join the meeting
Dress like a manager and offer lunch to the artist or group. During lunch, ask them questions about their goals and current career circumstances. Make sure you've studied the industry and the artist or band, so you can step in occasionally and let them know you can help out.
Step 7. Manage your artist or group
So, you are now a creative manager. Your goal is to make sure these people are successful. To set this process in motion, there are some elements that need your immediate attention.
- Artist or band brand design. Make sure the group's image is expressed in their design work. This image will become their trademark. It will help them sell themselves in the industry and to fans (not to be confused with selling out). You are a manager, which means you are a business man. Every artist or band needs a logo, some t-shirt designs and a custom page created on MySpace. Good design can cost a little, but it is a crucial part of the group promotion process. IAMwe design is a fairly inexpensive design service specializing in music creations. It is very important to prepare who you represent for success and the design process is a fundamental part of that.
- Photo for the artist or the band. Professional photographs are indispensable. Shooting may or may not make the band or artist successful. You need some photos in particular. One of the head, one that denotes the personality of the artist or the band, one sexy, one of a live concert and so on.
- Kit for printing. The press kit is the standard resume of an artist or band within the music industry. It should contain photos, music samples, press releases, newspaper clippings (quotes from an earlier press coverage), biographies, and other stuff from the media you have. Put everything in a folder with the band logo. Your contact information should be clearly visible somewhere in the kit. You must also copy the information from this kit over the internet to create an EPK (Electronic Press Kit. Sonic Bids is the current industry standard).
- The web presence of the artist or band. Register those you represent on all major 2.0 online services and promote them. They include MySpace, ilike, reverbnation, bandFIND.com, and Facebook among others. Use them all. Each offers certain services and opportunities.
Advice
- First impressions. They say you have 120 seconds to develop a first impression. They also say that afterwards it takes two weeks to change it. That said, pay special attention to how you approach people. Don't be arrogant, but confident, don't be pushy, but assertive. Above all, better aim for minimalism. Don't overwhelm people, just introduce yourself, offer your business card, don't be too expansive.
- Learning resource. An entertainment lawyer named Donald Passman wrote a book called All You Need To Know About the Music Business. It's the bible of every artist manager.
- Minimalism is everything. This is true in every respect. When networking via email, don't exceed two or three sentences. When you meet people, don't go too far in conversation. Industry professionals don't have time to read long emails and sit down and chat. Also, if your emails are long, that says "I have a lot of time to kill". The shorter they are, the more professional they will appear.
