Working With A Manager In 2020
Two decades ago, I had a "Momager". As a singer, I was fortunate to focus entirely on growing my craft, rehearsing-writing-performing, because everything else was taken care of for me! (booking gigs, PR and being supported financially)
I got booked multiple shows a week and then I was approached by a producer backstage. We signed my first recording contract, and I officially had "Producer Manager".
In 2005, my then producer became "Boyfriend Manager" and together we learned about royalties, getting music licensed to TV + Film, plus how much more there was to the industry than just singing.
Every singer has her ups and downs with working with a manager, myself included! There will always be gigs that don’t go well, expenses you couldn’t anticipate and risks you took that just didn’t quite pan out.
But if you’re finding that your career and life is exactly where it was a few years ago or even six months ago, there’s likely to be a missing piece that’s stopping you from rising above the struggle.
It’s time to take a look at how the role of a manager has changed.
To get big results in 2020, it’s not just about ONE thing, it's about someone who can manage EVERYTHING from graphic design, email newsletters, and publishing to scheduling your tours, hiring an accountant and being your therapist! A lot of work!!!
Managers can help you get to the next level professionally by handling any of the following:
Helping you get a higher number of shows
Helping you get shows at more prestigious venues
Booking gigs for you in other cities outside of your market
Upping your online numbers (newsletter subscribers, social media fans, etc.)
Making connections with other industry types (Music licensing firms, Booking Agents, Producers, other bands and possible musical collaborators)
Improving your press kit and imaging
Upping your merch game
Taking care of the day-to-day business aspects of your career
Seeking and securing recording or publishing deals for the band
GET YOUR FREE DOWNLOAD
>>DIRECTORY OF TOP MUSIC MANAGERS<<
You're in charge of who you bring on to help you throughout your career, but if you call any well-known managers asking them to manage you without a proven strategy, fans and market proof you got the goods, you're gonna taint your one shot with them. You've got to have enough in place including revenue streams for there to be something to manage!
If you're doing it right, they should be convincing YOU to work with THEM--not the other way around.
"A Manager can open doors for a band and help them overcome hurdles. They’re not doing this out of the goodness of their own hearts, however, so expect to pay them around 20% of income derived from your musical career. To some people, this sounds like a lot, but it’s the industry standard."
-careersinmusic.com
How can I help you build your brand and biz to prepare you to get the pieces in place so you are fully set up to contact managers with clout and cred? We are all meant to be well-supported but it is up to us to make it happen first.
Learn more in my Thriving Singer mentorship here.