Beware, there are a-million-and-one horror stories about bad management, don’t let your story be the one millionth and second.

Signs of a Good Artist Manager

Here is what you should be looking for.  Your potential manager:

  • Should have a degree in music business, an MBA, or years of experience as a former music executive or successful artist .

  • Should have a track record of success (Experience).

  • Must have an intricate understanding of the music industry. Especially contract and intellectual property law, deal making, publishing, royalties, booking, touring, accounting, and marketing and business planning.

  • Must at least have a business card (I kid you not), a legal business address, a client list (verifiable of course), and a detailed plan as to how they are going to take you from  a facebook celebrity to  a “ Wealthy Successful music Hero/Legend” in a reasonable amount of time.

When You Can’t Find a Good Manager, Hire a Family Member

It may not be completely necessary to have someone outside of your circle manage your music career. In fact, plenty of famous artists have found great managers right within their own gene pools. Artists such as Usher, Ashanti, and Jessica and Ashley Simpson are all managed by their parents.  (Or, they were at some point in their careers).  In Cameroon we also have Martin Enow doing most of the ground work for his brother Stanley Enow. Nevertheless, having a family member manage you depends on the type of relationship you have with your family.  Bad family relationships lead to even worst business arrangements.  Dysfunction breeds dysfunction.

Dude, it’s up to you to make the decision of what artist manager type you want on your team.

We all know that your family can get to you just as fast and dirty as anyone in the streets.  If you are the outcast or black sheep of your family, it may be better to utilize someone from your inner circle who knows you well, loves your music, and understands where you want to take your career.Whether friend, family, or stranger, someone needs to be your guide and mouthpiece.  In the music industry, you need someone to take the lead and serve as your appointed representative. Be mindful that the agreement with your manager is a binding contractual document.  It obligates both parties to a standard of performance.  For instance, let’s say in your agreement, the manager promises to get you an audience with a major recording company within an appointed amount of time.  If he fails to deliver on his/her commitment, he is in violation of the agreement. When this happens, an artist may move to either terminate or extend the contract.  Or both parties may mutually agree to terminate or extend the contract.  If no agreement can be made, both parties can agree to mediation by an uninterested third party.

Yet, there are two sides to this equation. Say the manager does in fact fail to get you  an audition with a major recording company.  But by no fault of his own. Let’s say the reason why the manager failed at his mission was that you failed to complete your demo on time.  So the manager wasn’t able to shop your material. Whose fault is that?  It’s your fault.

How to Fix the Problem of Bad Management (the recap)

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 the treacherous pirate-invested seas.  In fact, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to hire someone with some of the qualities of Captain Jack Sparrow.  Because, hey, sometimes you need a pirate to help you deal with pirates. Don’t fool yourself, this is more literal than you can imagine. Furthermore, the responsibilities of an artist manager vary from deal to deal.  But when it comes to contract negotiation, promotion, coordinating performance dates, promotional appearances, booking recording studio time, publishing deals, and most importantly looking out for the thieves and liars that reside in the offices and cubicles at the record company, you need someone who can walk the walk. Please heed this warning.  Finding the right manager is like finding a lawyer who tells the truth, YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN. It’s nearly impossible, but it can be done.

Remember to always stay focused on the business.  For heaven’s sake, this is your life (music career) we are talking about!

Take-a-ways from this article that you should engrave into your brain.

  • Investigate, follow up, verify, ask for client references

  • Don’t sign anything without having a Lawyer or an experienced industry big wig review it, even if it’s an agreement between you and your Momma!

  • Not all that glitters is gold, the appearance of success and actual success differ greatly once you scratch the surface.

  • The key points of a management agreement are: exclusivity, length of contract, territory, and most importantly compensation. Also, it is paramount that you spell out the duties, responsibilities, obligations, and milestones within the management agreement.  That way, everyone is on the same page.  The last thing you want to do is assume!

  • Never agree verbally or in writing to something that doesn’t feel right, even if a deal is on the table. Your integrity, peace of mind, and ultimately your artistic freedom can be taken with a swipe of a pen.

  • The contract between you and your manager should be a win-win. And remember, your manager works for you, not the other way around.

In conclusion.

I strongly advise artists whether newbies or veterans, become educated about the music business.  If you were a plumber and didn’t know how to use an adjustable pipe wrench, you wouldn’t be much of a plumber would you?  Not! 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 skillset to your repertoire of talents.  Now go out there and make great music without being ripped off. …its a win win….Hope you enjoyed the article? endeavor to leave behind  behind.

Media Help/Source: digitalmusicnews.com