When Does An Artist or Band Need a Manager?
By David Lowry
4 Votes
So often bands or musicians seek out management thinking that they need management from the start or even just too early in their careers. With all that needs to be done for an artist’s career, it can seem very daunting and overwhelming. Artists are often so confused by the amount of information available and most of it not very good, that they are often more paralyzed than when they started due to the staggering amount of info and no clear direction.
The role of a good manager takes on so many forms. Managers require pay for their services and most bands can’t afford their own bills, let alone a manager. A manager is often a business consultant, negotiator, accountant, image consultant, promoter etc. A manager is often needed to achieve almost any measure of success in the music business, even then most bands and artists know that a manager can’t do it all and that success or failure is solely the responsibility of the artist or band. The artist or band have the final say and have to provide the show and content that makes them marketable. If they aren’t able to provide that or aren’t committed to the success of the band then rarely is it the fault of a manager that goals aren’t achieved. The band and artist are the “Founder” of the company and the manager is the “CEO”. This is called the “music business” for a reason. Artists and bands have a ton of responsibility to achieve the success they are seeking. If the band or artist isn’t willing to work as hard as the manager, then it is very hard to achieve anything and the manager is wasting their time at this point. A commitment on both parties is essential to make it work and the band or artist need to trust the manager’s advice and handle their responsibilities whether the band or artist agree or not.
So that begs the question, when does an artist or band need a manager? The answer is simple. Not until there is something to manage. Most artists and bands don’t perform enough or have enough to work with for a manager to do anything with and be effective. The artist or band should be playing 80+ paying shows a year and have a very solid press kit before seeking out management. There should be a solid fan base at least regionally if not nationally. In the beginning stages of a band or artist’s career, it is wise to seek out a good manager who offers hourly consultation to be able to help set the artist or band in the right direction. The manager can then follow up at regular intervals if the goals are being met, before signing the band or artist full-time, when they are ready.
Debra Russell Says:
February 11, 2010 at 6:28 pm |
When I get this question from clients, or on my Ask Coach Debra calls, my answer is this:
“Can you make a living from 15% of what you’re earning?” If the answer to that is no, you’re not ready for a manager. Because any manager worth his/her salt is going to be asking exactly that question.
So it behooves musicians to learn how to run their own business like a pro. And this experience will really serve you well when you are ready for a manager – because while your Manager is managing your business – you have to be managing your Manager. I’ve worked with so many clients who’ve lost all they earned to an unscrupulous manager.
That can only happen if you abdicate your business to your Manager. If you delegate your business with sufficient oversight, it’s much harder to be taken for a ride. So, the more you know about how to manage your business the better you will be able to supervise your manager – helping him/her serve you better.
