4 important qualities of a band manager
The comes a point in every musician’s career where they hit the proverbial brick wall. Their career has stalled, panic starts to set in. It’s seems as if the fame they had always envisioned isn’t going to happen.
The most common problem is the inability to realize; A. Where they are at the moment. B. Where they want to be and to build the bridge that gets them from point A to point B. Artist management is usually the missing piece to the puzzle.
So what do musicians need to consider when choosing a manager? How do I know if a certain manager is right for my career? These are questions all artists must ask themselves in the course of the music journey. Below is a list of four qualities important to look for in a band manager.
1. Tenacity and reliability - You need a manager who is going to follow through and is prepared to stick by you. There are very few overnight successes in the music industry. You need someone who won’t give up just because the first label says “no” to your demo. Someone who understands you might get more than a few “no’s” before getting that coveted recording contract.
2. Experience - What success has the management company had managing other acts. At the end of the day, the music business is a business, and your manager needs to be deal with people and sell your product.
3. A mind for business - You may consider a manager with limited experience in music, but be careful about working with one with limited experience in business. The ideal manager will be one with experience as an entrepreneur in the music and entertainment industry.
4. Connections - What connections does the management company have in your genre? Do they work with similar type artists? If an band manager doesn’t have connections in the industry, they aren’t much use to you. A good and experienced manager will have established connection to labels, promoters, booking agency’s, etc. All things you as an artist need to kick down the doors to a bright future in your music career.
Too many bands jump at the first offer they get from a band manager. Often they are taken advantage of by band managers who don’t know what they’re doing. Don’t let that happen to you. Take the time to look into any band management company before signing on. Your success as an artist depends on building a team of qualified, hard-working, and trusted people. Hiring a music manager or artist consultant is a great step in the right direction.