In the last year I’ve received several inquiries about becoming an artist’s manager. With all that I currently do with artists, management seems to be the next title I would add to my bio. I enjoy helping artists gain exposure and put together successful promotional campaigns. I appreciate good talent and it brings me joy to help them get to the next level. More than anything, I’m happy to be able to provide an outlet for artists to be heard. Thus far, the artists and DJs that I have worked with have all been great experiences. I have been able to help them achieve goals and in the process, we have learned a variety of things from each other. Quite simply, I have wonderful relationships with the artists that I work with. By me helping and them actually seeing positive results, we’ve built a strong trust. They trust that I am looking out for their best interests, and I trust them to do what they do best and stay consistent in the music they produce. Whatever it is that’s being done on my end has worked, and it’s worked without a title. After receiving so many requests to be a manager, I sat back and thought, why not? I practically manage anyway. But the role of a manager is much more detailed and complicated than the title projects it to be.
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Let’s break this down for a minute. Being a manager is serious business. I don’t think many people really understand what it takes to be a real and effective manager. It’s more than just a title that makes you feel or sound like you’re a part of something. If you are a manager, you are MANAGING SOMEONE’S ENTIRE CAREER. Do ya’ll really understand that? Being a manager (well, at least a good one) is a full time job. There’s so much to do as a manager that there’s no way to you can operate on a part time schedule. You as the manager are responsible for executing a successful career for your artist. The artist’s job is to maintain and build communication with fans and the music community, of course all while consistently making good music. You are their backbone. You have to search for opportunities that will help your artist gain exposure. You are the one that ensures that their music is being heard. You are responsible for keeping your artist visible to the public. Booking shows, scheduling appearances, interviews, features, studio sessions, photo/video shoots, and promoting (the right way) are all a part of your managerial duties. If you can’t handle that plus more, you need to bring on someone to assist you. There’s no room to fall short as a manager. 70% of the artist’s that fail to achieve their goals isn’t because of themselves; it’s because of their management, or lack there of.
I think many managers also forget that they serve as their artists’ primary representation. You gotta be sharp, consistent, and hard-working. If you truly believe in your artist, you’re gonna go hard in the paint. It should come natural for you to be your best if you believe you have gold. If you don’t have that feeling, then you need to consider representing someone else, or sitcho ass down and stop wasting that artist’s time. Same goes for the artist. Be careful in who you choose to represent you. Remember that your manager is a reflection of YOU. If they’re not gonna be an effective entity putting in 100%, they’re only taking away from your movement and hindering your progress. Also as a manager, be mindful that this is an investment for you as well, not just the artist. If you’re investing time and money into something, you want to see your return, correct? Then get to work.
There are so many hidden jewels that have yet to be discovered. When I come across one, it’s like a natural instinct for me to reach out and help in any way that I can. I could possibly fall in a variety of job categories, but its not important to define what it is that I do, just refer to me as an Indie Music Ambassador. I’m here to help in anyway that I can. I did however, become a manager last year.
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1 Comment
First and foremost, i respect you for wanting to help artists gain the exposure they need. And, while I agree with majority of your post, there are some pints you made that are not only in my personal option, but a professional fact, inaccurate. Managers are NOT supposed to book shows. That is the role of the booking agent. Now, the manager can look for performing opportunities and inform the booking the artist and the booking agent of the opportunity, but thats as far the manager’s role goes in that respective arena. The same can be said about booking/scheduling appearances. That would be the role of the artist’s PR rep, but if they can’t afford a PR rep, then that responsibility can be absorbed by the booking agent as well.
Yes, the responsibility of the manager is to represent the artist on all fronts, but the primary duty of the of manager is to protect the artist and their creativity. And always keep in mind that it all starts with the music.