How to Become a Music Manager
How to Become a Music Manager
Charting out a career in music management is akin to orchestrating a symphony; it’s an art that requires a mixture of talent, timing, and tenacity.
With the music industry continually evolving, the role of a music manager remains an evergreen career path, offering boundless opportunities for those with a passion for music and a flair for business. Here’s your roadmap to becoming a maestro in the world of music management.
What Does a Music Manager Do?
Before you set out on this melodic mission, it’s crucial to understand the core responsibilities that await you in this dynamic role. A music manager is the artist’s eagle-eyed guardian, strategist, and negotiator all rolled into one. Here’s a peek into the day-to-day life of a music manager:
Artist Development
Guiding an artist’s growth from obscurity to acclaim involves understanding their creative vision and steering it towards commercial success
Business Affairs
Whether it’s brokering record deals or setting up tours, you’re the go-to person for all the nitty-gritty business aspects, ensuring your artist’s brand and revenue streams are optimally managed
Public Relations
Crafting an artist’s public image, managing press relationships, and ensuring their reputation remains sharp as a high note
Financial Management
Managing budgeting, accounting, and overseeing the artist’s financial health, including royalty tracking and payments
What Skills Are Needed to Become a Music Manager?
Becoming a Music Manager requires a wide variety of skill sets, as this role is multifaceted. Here are the skills you must hone if you’re serious about managing the idols of future generations:
Interpersonal Skills
Your ability to build lasting relationships with record labels, agents, publicists, and of course, artists is non-negotiable
Business Know-How
A solid understanding of contracts, finance, and the inner workings of the music industry is foundational
Creative Drive
While not required, it certainly helps to have a creative streak. After all, you’re helping to shape artists’ careers in a creative industry
Problem-Solving Mindset
The industry is full of unexpected twists, and a manager must think on their feet and be proactive when issues arise
Industry Knowledge
Staying ahead of trends and changes in the music industry is vital for making well-informed decisions
With these skills forming the backbone of your management style, you’re poised to not just survive but thrive in the cutthroat world of music management. Being in charge of an artist’s career or being a band manager is a challenging task.
A good manager will be tasked with giving an artist a next level music career by putting in hard work across the entertainment industry. From speaking to booking agents and radio stations and ensuring live shows go smoothly, it’s a manager’s job to work with music industry professionals to help new artists break through.
What Qualifications Do You Need To Become a Music Manager?
In order to start a career in music management, looking at dedicated courses can be a good starting point. You can take on a Music business management course or combine industry knowledge with a more general Business Management, or wider Management course.
Although industry professionals in the music publishing world can often lease out legal experts when it comes to agreeing on a management contract, having a background or qualification in law can be useful.
Does Becoming a Music Manager Require Experience?
While it’s not mandatory to have a wealth of experience to break into music management, having a solid foundation in the industry does provide a leg-up. Ways to gain experience include:
Interning at a management company or a label to learn the ropes.
Managing local or independent artists to get a feel for the responsibilities and challenges that lie ahead.
Networking vigorously to gain insight and mentorship from seasoned professionals.
The art of music management is learned through doing, and while you may not start on the pinnacle, every small gig and role you take on leads you a step closer to becoming a seasoned manager.
Career Prospects for a Music Manager
The music industry is an ecosystem of opportunities, and as a music manager, you’ve got a passport to the front lines. Career prospects are as diverse as the paths of the artists you’ll take under your wing. You could:
The options are as layered as an intricate melody, presenting you with the chance to align your career with your passions and strengths. The UK is home to some of the largest record labels in the world, and the country is a cultural leader when it comes to producing top music talent.
Which Record Labels Are Based in the UK?
If you’re keen to rise to the top of the music industry and work with some of the biggest labels out there, it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with the major players.
Britain is home to many artists from various genres, including some homegrown music styles, such as Drum and Bass, Grime and 2 Step Garage. With a long history in music, it’s no surprise that the UK has founded major record labels. Below is a list of some of the biggest record labels in the UK.
For those who are keen to enter this industry, looking for jobs or internships at these labels can be an excellent career move.
If the music industry is where you want to be, then starting your rise to a music manager is an exciting and rewarding venture. With the right mix of skills, experience, and a passion for the art and business of music, the beats you will manage promise to be both dynamic and defining. Explore courses today and get started in this exciting career field.
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