WHEN SHOULD I GET A MANAGER?
How do I find a music manager? How do I find a booking agent? I just need to find someone to get my music to the next level. I’ve heard these questions and statements before many times. Usually this is the proverbial cart before the horse adage.
Let’s start at the very beginning – do you have anything to manage?
I know – sounds like a stupid question, but is it? I’m not asking you if you have lots of work that you could use help with, nor am I making light of the pure volume of work that is the creation of both recorded and live music. What I am asking you is do you have something ready to bring to market that needs managing or are you still building out your product?
There is no shame (I’ll repeat it again) NO SHAME in being in the developmental phases of your career. We live in an instant gratification kind of world, which is why when I write articles like this I know statistically that a majority of people won’t have made it this far because they were looking for a “get famous now” button. Take your time and develop your product – this will help you rise above the MILLIONS of other people who went out to Pro Audio Atlanta, purchased their first instrument and recording gear, and had the first song they ever wrote up on MySpace the next day hoping for some kind of miracle which will never come.
Back to management – let’s talk about what you should have together before even considering approaching someone to invest in your career. *** Notice I said invest because whether or not they spend a dime on you, management is an enormous expenditure of someone’s time***
Before approaching anyone to manage you - have most of these together:
- No apology recordings of your music
- Professional looking photos of you or your group
- A basic – findable website (custom URL) you can update yourself
- A Mailing list and a place where people can sign up on said list
- A social network presence (twitter, facebook, myspace, youtube)
- Live performance footage (preferably in front of a crowd)
- A well written bio highlighting your accomplishments
These are the building blocks and the marketing materials you will use over and over and over again. There are no words, no email sales pitch and probably not even naked photos of an executive in compromising positions that will get you taken more seriously than having the items above in place. Many of these items can get pricey so do your homework and shop around, if you feel that any of these items are best done by work for hire. Having these materials will get you more gigs, will get you taken more seriously by your peers and potential fans and ultimately (if you have a product people want) will help you build a business in music.
No matter what you do in this world you must know your craft and the business. If you want to rise to the top, you must work harder, and be prepared with a degree of passion that excites and ignites everyone around you. You must be connected to the community of like minded professionals. We all need help, a good consultant is invaluable. We offer that to you at AMP. If not AMP, FIND THE RIGHT PEOPLE AND HOLD ON TO THEM DEARLY!
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