How to Become an Artist Manager

What do Artist Managers do?

An Artist Manager would typically need to:

• While performing auditions and interviews to find potential clients, become an expert on the ins and outs of the music industry.
• Assess potential clients’ talent as well as their dependability while analysing their market potential.
• Create and negotiate contracts and deals that will enhance their client’s careers.
• Help artists navigate the music industry and create or support their artistic vision while ensuring their physical and emotional health is at its peak.
• Analyse data, define targets, track and assess outcomes, and create business, marketing, and product release plans.
• While pursuing record agreements, agency representation, and publishing contracts, create or coordinate marketing, advertising, and promotional materials.
• Book performances and tours, work with agencies to build touring strategy, and write grant and sponsorship bids
• Develop strategies for cultivating and managing fan bases and media connections on behalf of their clients.
• Inspect equipment and facilities to ensure they meet the requirements of the artist/s.
• Work with and establish production teams that understand artist rights and royalties.

Standard Work Environment

During the day, the Artist Manager works in an office; at night, he or she may be working wherever his or her client’s professional duties take them. Frequent out-of-town and foreign travel, including on tour, may be required. Unless otherwise noted, the dress code for an Artist Manager is normally business casual.

Work Schedule

A career as an Artist Manager is time-consuming, with little separation between work and play. It is best suited to passionate and driven individuals who can work around the clock. The majority of the days are filled with meetings, minor business transactions, and future planning; the nights are reserved for live music and networking events.

Employers

Finding one’s first gig as an Artist Manager might be difficult, as it is with many freelance-oriented jobs. Some form their own management company, while others work as business managers, agents, or personal assistants for an artist before taking over management tasks.

Artist Managers are generally employed by:

• Artists
• Music Bands or Groups
• Management Companies

Unions / Professional Organizations

Professional groups and organisations are a valuable resource for Artist Managers who want to further their professional development or interact with other professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more of these organizations looks great on your resume and helps to strengthen your credentials and qualifications as an Artist Manager.

Workplace Challenges

• Competitive field characterized by intense and stressful work hours
• Attendance at their artist/s’ performances in the evening or over weekends is a must
• Maintaining work-life balance
• Voices and opinions of individuals outside the team may cause friction
• Need to learn new methods and network beyond the music industry
• The worsening disparity between established artists and new ones
• The short attention span of the public compounded by the need for continuous access to funding

Suggested Work Experience

As with most music careers, the proper people will ultimately notice if you put your head down and work hard. Volunteer to assist bands you know, even if it means working for free while learning the ins and outs of the business. Aspiring Artist Managers could also approach a management organisation and inquire about internship opportunities.

Recommended Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree in purchasing, procurement/acquisitions, contracts management, or a related profession will assist you in obtaining a job as an Artist Manager. Most Artist Managers do not require academic training to be considered for this position. Although a college education is advantageous because courses in the music business and music marketing are available, many artists prefer Managers with substantial industry experience and networks.

Artist Management certificate courses, both in-person and online, can assist a prospective Artist Manager to obtain a better understanding and perspective on the work.

Certifications, Licenses and Registration

Artist Managers, in general, do not require formal qualification, licencing, or registration. Check to discover if any special national, state, or local requirements necessitate the acquisition of a business licence or an employment agency licence.

Projected Career Map

Most Artist Managers progress by developing a great reputation for providing excellent client service and bringing additional high performers to their roster. Some managers have no training or professional experience, and they enter the field when a family member or close friend gets a break and needs a trusted consultant to help them launch their careers.

Others begin as entertainers and develop experience by showcasing their talent. Others progressively advance from managing local performers in their hometown to climbing the corporate ladder at a management company and switching occupations from personal assistants, project managers, or song pluggers. Long-standing Artist Managers typically handle numerous clients at once, and the most successful can go on to start management businesses or agencies based on their client roster.

Job Prospects

Individuals with a passion for music, as well as a business and marketing background, will have the best job possibilities as Artist Managers.

Beneficial Professional Development

Artist Managers seek out and cultivate ties with artists. Figuring each other out and working jointly is a big element of an artist-to-manager relationship. It is about finding other competent individuals to cover any holes you may have.

As an Artist Manager, you must stay current on your artist’s work in order to present it in the best light to potential purchasers. Feedback from clients provides more information about why people buy the artist/s’ work, which aids in the development of better marketing plans.

A forward-thinking Artist Manager stays current on industry and market developments in addition to the work they undertake for a single artist. They keep tabs on emerging musicians, seeking those who may be on the edge of success. This capacity to recognise patterns will help them advance in their careers.

Conclusion of Artist Manager

The most successful Artist Managers are egoless, thick-skinned, and persistent, ready to advocate ceaselessly behind the scenes on their client’s behalf. While Artist Managers operate behind the scenes and may not receive the same notoriety as pop or rock stars, they nonetheless play an important role in keeping a band together and on track. Being an Artist Manager is a fascinating career, but it is difficult to break into.

Advice from the Wise

Above all, management is a practice that combines art, science, and craft. What is measured gets better.

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