As a musician, the team you build to help you with your career is very important just as the quality of music you make. Having the right management team is critical to the success of every artist.
Every successful recording artist has become that way because of their talent and the management team that works to build his/her career. Many recording artists may feel comfortable enough in their talent to believe that is all that is needed to succeed but they quickly discover that is not the case.
If you want to take your career to the next level, then you have to work with a team that understands the industry and work diligently to get your music out to the public.
Take a look at the key members that are supposed to be on your team and the role they should play in making your dreams come true.
Personal Manager
Your personal manager should be the most trusted and important person or persons within your team, and in some way, he or she will be the CEO of the brand, which is YOU!
Your manager’s job is to guide and counsel you for the building of your brand. In addition; your manager should assist you in the administrative tasks associated with the business of music, and advise you on important business decisions.
Your manager should have an understanding of the music industry especially contract and intellectual property law, deal making, publishing, royalties, booking, touring, accounting, and marketing and business planning.
He or she should have at least a detailed plan as to how they are going to take you from zero to “Music Hero” in a reasonable amount of time.
Bad management can really mess up your chances of ever succeeding in the music business no matter how talented you are.
For the new artist, it’s difficult to know if you are in a bad management situation until it’s too late. If all you know is abuse and shady dealings, how will you know good business when you see it? More often than not, new artists fall victim to the appearance of success, which is a crafty illusion propagated by con artists, thieves, swindlers, and the like.
If you have bankable talent, then there are 101 of these types waiting to sign you to some of the most horrific management contracts the music industry has ever known.
To reiterate, you need an artist manager to help guide your music career. Think of him as the captain of your ship navigating you through shark and pirate infested industry, looking out for the thieves and liars that reside in the offices and cubicles at the record, concert and media companies…..etc.
Please heed this warning. If you have an inexperienced manager who is too lazy to learn the music business, don’t expect much.
Music Lawyer
The most powerful member of your music team will be your lawyer. The lawyer deals on your behalf with all the major power brokers you encounter during the course of your career. He or she should be heavily involved in negotiations whenever you sign contracts with publishers, labels, managers, and agents. A lawyer that specializes in the music industry usually has a solid depth of understanding with regard to copyright laws and artist/band agreements with managers, publishers, record labels, booking agents, etc. He or she takes care of making sure you are protected
Publicist
Your publicist handles your publicity and press needs. Publicity helps sell records and produce income. Your publicist must be able to get your name in the news (magazines, blogs, TV, radio, etc.) as often as possible.
This is accomplished by writing press releases, sending them to the right media outlet, talking to the media about you, and arranging interviews. For the release of a new song or album, the publicist often arranges a series of print interviews, radio interviews, and TV appearances in conjunction with the release.
Booking Agent
Having the right booking agent can make the difference between playing a bad, good and a great show. Agents essentially deal with live concert performances, they may occasionally get into sponsorships or commercials or if the artist has a film or TV career they could get into that. But primarily your agent should deal with getting you concerts and personal appearances. Your booking agent is responsible for scheduling your live performances be it an individual date or a national or continental tour. He or she must possess good communication skills to sell your talent and develop contacts in the music industry..
Business Manager
The business manager handles your financial affairs. The business manager should have knowledge of negotiating, accounting skills, investments, and tax laws.
You may not be able to afford a business manager at first, but the more money you start making, the more likely it is that you’re going to need a business manager.
In concluding
Not all that glitters is gold, the appearance of success and actual success differ greatly once you scratch the surface. Devote the same level of passion and determination you had when you learned how to play guitar, rap, sing, DJ, or produce, to learning the music business. Add your newfound knowledge and skill set to your repertoire of talents. Now go out there and make great music without being ripped off.
Every year, thousands of emerging talented young people aspire to work in the music industry as successful musicians, artists, music producers, songwriters composers etc. However, in a highly competitive market place, very few fulfill their potential and make it to a level where they can earn a living from their craft and get recognised.
About the author
Amare is an entrepreneur and music business consultant. You can follow @Amare for his tweets on industry tips and Life’s Hacks