A Music Manager Cannot Do Everything for You

Having a great music manager can really help you out in the music industry. But, you should never think of a music manager as the end all be all of becoming a star. There are plenty of steps that a manager can take to promote your music, but there are still plenty of steps that you can take on your own.

Before hiring a manager for your band or solo act, you should make sure that you are doing everything that you can to promote your own music. Here are a few steps that you can take to increase your skill and fan base.

Start Promoting Your Own Music

You need to actively promote your own music and begin establishing a larger fan base on your own before you can expect to find a good manager. There are many affordable and free online opportunities for getting your music out to the public.

You can take advantage of online music streaming sites, such as SoundCloud. Another music promotion option is to share your music through Facebook and other social media platforms. Becoming more active on these platforms and talking to fans can help increase your recognition.

Make sure that you share details about upcoming gigs, music releases, and any other info that you will help establish a name for you or your band. You may even want to join Facebook Groups in your region that are dedicated to music. This could help you get your music to an even larger audience.

You Should Book Your Own Gigs

If you don’t have a lot of experience playing to a crowd, you are going to have to start booking more gigs. While a manager can help you find more venues and handle negotiations, this is a step that you should learn how to do on your own.

You can get started by going to local bars and clubs. Find venues that regularly have live music. Ask about the booking process or who you should talk to about booking a gig. If they haven’t heard your music before, you may need to give them a link to your music or provide a sample.

The process will get easier, as you book more gigs. You’ll get used to talking to the restaurant and bar managers about playing at their location. You’ll become more comfortable promoting yourself to people and negotiating pay. These are all skills that will help you after you’ve hired a manager.

If you want some advice on booking gigs, then check out this short video from Nicola from Singer’s Secret:

Record Your Own Demo

You don’t need a lot of money to record your own music. You should have a sample of some of your best songs. If you’re releasing music online through music streaming sites, then you should make sure to keep a catalog of your greatest songs.

When you begin talking to band managers, you should be prepared to give them a sample of your music. Compile three or four of your favorites and place them on a CD or USB stick.

Create an Artist Biography

To go along with your sample, you should also have an artist biography. These are short biographies that introduce you or your band. Typically, they are limited to just a few paragraphs. You’ll introduce yourself and then give some details about your current activities, such as where you’re touring and when you’re going to release music.

If you need help coming up with an artist biography, there are plenty of online resources that will help you out. You may even want to check out our special offer for professional artist bios.

Build an Artist Portfolio

If you ever receive any recognition in the local press, online or in the paper, keep a copy of the article or clipping. You can use these press releases and articles to begin building an artist portfolio. Combine this with your artist biography and your demo or music sample to make your own electronic press kit.

Practice Your Craft

As a final tip, make sure that you continue to practice your craft. It’s easy to get bogged down with the tasks of promoting your own music. But, you still need to set aside time to practice and rehearse. If you continue with these tips, you’ll slowly begin establishing a name for yourself. You’ll build a larger fan base and start to attract music managers. You’ll be in the position to find the best band manager and move on to the next stage of your career.

As mentioned, it’s important to know what your manager can and cannot do for you. By understanding the tasks that your manager can handle, you’ll know whether or not your manager is doing everything they can to promote your music.

If you want further advice on how to get a music manager, then check out our eBook. Click here to learn more about our music manager eBook.

Source: ArtistPR Music Manager