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How will I find music connections towards managers
looking for a music manager who isn't selfish, looking to build a team
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4 answers
Thomas O'Shea
Music Producer, Composer, Live Sound Engineer, Musician
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Thomas’s Answer
I'm going to give you the hard truth. If you're looking for the good kind of music management and not the "I'll take 20% of your money and barely do my job" kind, then you aren't ready for a manager yet. The point of a music manager is to take the load off of your back because you're doing so much music writing because your sound is in demand and so many performances or guest talks or talk shows or interviews that you don't have time to send emails or pitch your music to blogs or radio.
I know that's exactly the opposite of what you want to hear, but if you're asking how it's done, then you already have your answer. The point when you will start to need a manager is at or just before the point where labels are contacting you and you have shows lined up for the next 6 months. What you really need is the information and resources to manager yourself. Here's what I use atm as a self managed artist myself (because I'm not booking sold out shows or working with well known artists). Use Ditto Pro as your music distributor. They may be slower with some things like being able to pitch to Spotify Playlists (which, let's be honest, with all the bots around- you should really be reconsidering submitting to them), but Ditto is amazing because it has what they call Ditto "perks". Through Ditto Perks, you have access to huge databases or Blog contacts and Influencer contacts so that you can get reviews of your work and get your music in well known influencer's videos. This is what you should focus on outside of making music. I personally just had my song placed with a skating instagram page, and the video that uses my song is about to pass 115,000 plays.
Basically, what I'm saying is if you're reaching out to "managers" and saying "Hey! I need music management" they may not take you seriously. Believe me- I've tried it and have gotten ghosted, ignored, and basically told to go be a barista because they wouldn't make any money. Learn the industry. Build yourself up. And find other ways to get a "team" together. Here's another hard truth: no non-artist working in the music industry is not fully unselfish. Everyone doing their thing is trying to make money off of what they do. A lot of those people will take advantage of an opportunity for a cash grab. Be super super cautious because a lot of music industry "companies" are just that- a money grab. These companies will make it seem like they are doing EVERYTHING in their power to do what they claim they do when in reality they don't care about anything except the money. They may have you sign a contract and will trust that you won't read the whole thing but then hide in the fine print that they can take the majority of the money that is rightfully yours and keep it for themselves.
I'm telling you all this not to say to stop making music- quite the opposite. I'm telling you this so that you have the necessary resources to start managing yourself. You are your best worker because you know exactly where you want to go with your music. And if you don't- you'll find your way as you work. I know many many many professional musicians who are making a living doing music and they aren't managed whatsoever. And some people who are "managed" it's more like a close friend (or parent or even spouse) helping out with their career and helping with booking or whatever the main act needs help with. Your music career is what you make it. If you get a manager too soon or if you get in the wrong label or something- you could be stuck. Keep everything in your own hands- and if you still want a manager then ask one of your friends or maybe your parents. Go to someone who you know will put YOU first.
Learn more about the music industry- study publishing, Performing rights organizations, and how copyright can get you paid
Look into ways to have a "team" that doesn't involve losing your hard earned money and lets you keep most of your royalties and money
Invite a friend, a parent, or someone you trust to learn about the industry with you and bring them on as your manager
I know that's exactly the opposite of what you want to hear, but if you're asking how it's done, then you already have your answer. The point when you will start to need a manager is at or just before the point where labels are contacting you and you have shows lined up for the next 6 months. What you really need is the information and resources to manager yourself. Here's what I use atm as a self managed artist myself (because I'm not booking sold out shows or working with well known artists). Use Ditto Pro as your music distributor. They may be slower with some things like being able to pitch to Spotify Playlists (which, let's be honest, with all the bots around- you should really be reconsidering submitting to them), but Ditto is amazing because it has what they call Ditto "perks". Through Ditto Perks, you have access to huge databases or Blog contacts and Influencer contacts so that you can get reviews of your work and get your music in well known influencer's videos. This is what you should focus on outside of making music. I personally just had my song placed with a skating instagram page, and the video that uses my song is about to pass 115,000 plays.
Basically, what I'm saying is if you're reaching out to "managers" and saying "Hey! I need music management" they may not take you seriously. Believe me- I've tried it and have gotten ghosted, ignored, and basically told to go be a barista because they wouldn't make any money. Learn the industry. Build yourself up. And find other ways to get a "team" together. Here's another hard truth: no non-artist working in the music industry is not fully unselfish. Everyone doing their thing is trying to make money off of what they do. A lot of those people will take advantage of an opportunity for a cash grab. Be super super cautious because a lot of music industry "companies" are just that- a money grab. These companies will make it seem like they are doing EVERYTHING in their power to do what they claim they do when in reality they don't care about anything except the money. They may have you sign a contract and will trust that you won't read the whole thing but then hide in the fine print that they can take the majority of the money that is rightfully yours and keep it for themselves.
I'm telling you all this not to say to stop making music- quite the opposite. I'm telling you this so that you have the necessary resources to start managing yourself. You are your best worker because you know exactly where you want to go with your music. And if you don't- you'll find your way as you work. I know many many many professional musicians who are making a living doing music and they aren't managed whatsoever. And some people who are "managed" it's more like a close friend (or parent or even spouse) helping out with their career and helping with booking or whatever the main act needs help with. Your music career is what you make it. If you get a manager too soon or if you get in the wrong label or something- you could be stuck. Keep everything in your own hands- and if you still want a manager then ask one of your friends or maybe your parents. Go to someone who you know will put YOU first.
Thomas recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Marzia’s Answer
Hi Alejandro!
I myself am very passionate about the arts and music but have a background in bussiness so I can personally tell you that you have to be very set forth on who you are as an artist and be willing to put yourself out there but most importantly learn that any industry is a bussiness.
Firstly, consider yourself something to market and learn to build your brand which means figuring out what kind of artist you want to be, what kind of values you want to express through your work and then following that up with being open to collaborating. Building this kid of brand for yourself is very important as it allows audiences and people you want to create exposure to will allign you with the right team gradually to work with. Know exactly what you value or want out of a creative but competitive career like this and look into even being independent as an artist if you can. This means looking into how you can gain knowledge on being your own instrument, learning production learning how deals and contracts work will hold immense value in complex industries like this. If you can learn how to market yourself, stay open to collaborating with people who carry the same values, and this should make networking and connection building that much smoother and more beneficial!
Build your social media presence consistently as well! Staying consistent in a field like this isnjust as important as building connections! How you will build connections is if you keep creating and putting your work out there. It will help you follow algorithms and trends and figure out what best suites who you want to be as an artist and will most importantly help with audience reach and to promote your work!!
Best,
Marzia
I myself am very passionate about the arts and music but have a background in bussiness so I can personally tell you that you have to be very set forth on who you are as an artist and be willing to put yourself out there but most importantly learn that any industry is a bussiness.
Firstly, consider yourself something to market and learn to build your brand which means figuring out what kind of artist you want to be, what kind of values you want to express through your work and then following that up with being open to collaborating. Building this kid of brand for yourself is very important as it allows audiences and people you want to create exposure to will allign you with the right team gradually to work with. Know exactly what you value or want out of a creative but competitive career like this and look into even being independent as an artist if you can. This means looking into how you can gain knowledge on being your own instrument, learning production learning how deals and contracts work will hold immense value in complex industries like this. If you can learn how to market yourself, stay open to collaborating with people who carry the same values, and this should make networking and connection building that much smoother and more beneficial!
Build your social media presence consistently as well! Staying consistent in a field like this isnjust as important as building connections! How you will build connections is if you keep creating and putting your work out there. It will help you follow algorithms and trends and figure out what best suites who you want to be as an artist and will most importantly help with audience reach and to promote your work!!
Best,
Marzia
Updated
Isaac’s Answer
Managing an artist is not necessary anymore in today's online world. You can become independent.
It is an awesome idea to look for a team.
Some great team members to have are:
- Manager
- A Mentor
- Lawyer
- Accountant
- Other musicians
Looking for these kind of people will be difficult. How I found my lawyer was by searching up on Google.
I found my mentor through social media, and I meet other musicians on Discord.
It is an awesome idea to look for a team.
Some great team members to have are:
- Manager
- A Mentor
- Lawyer
- Accountant
- Other musicians
Looking for these kind of people will be difficult. How I found my lawyer was by searching up on Google.
I found my mentor through social media, and I meet other musicians on Discord.
Hi Isaac, you mention not needing a manager in today's online world but you also say that you should have a manager on your team. Could you please elaborate on this?
Gurpreet Lally, Admin
Yes a growing number of musicians are becoming independent. This is now a reality and smart option to combat the limitations a label may have on you. Most Labels nowadays do no artist development.
According to this Forbes article,
https://www.forbes.com/sites/melissamdaniels/2019/07/10/for-independent-musicians-goingyour-own-way-is-finally-starting-to-pay-off/
The revenue for independent is quickly growing.
One musician I know who struck gold as an independent was JVKE, who had released Golden Hour.
Isaac Alvarado
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Alejandro !
I would be happy to give you some advice about management for your music career. It should be a very interesting, enjoyable career and the first step is becoming well informed. Something that you can actively do every day.
I have left a link for you below for the Texas Music Management Directory. If you haven't used it yet, take a look at it and see if there are any new places you can seek management. I see that you are in the Rap genre. You may want to list yourself in a rap directory for possible gigs. I left a link for you below. I think you should focus on performance right now and management can come later. Obtaining management is going to depend on how much experience you have, networking and contacts that you make in the music industry and being open minded, realizing what the career entails.
Another suggestion that I also have is to diversify your talents. Think about learning studio recording and branching out into other music genres. The more versatile you are, the more markets you can participate in. Learn how to produce your own music videos, too, and put them on You Tube or another platform. I think My Space evolved into a music website these days, so check out My Space, too.
Try not to worry too much about people being "selfish" which can be defined in different ways. The music industry is a business and it is run as a business. It's best to learn a bit about the business end because that can help you understand the ins and outs of the interactions you will have. Many of the performing careers have a certain amount of challenges, stress and also triumphs.
Try to meet as many people as possible. The more people that you meet the better your chances will be to meet a manager that you really like.
THE TEXAS MUSIC MANAGEMENT DIRECTORY https://gov.texas.gov/Apps/Music/Directory/results/artist-management/region/dfw/p1
LIST YOURSELF IN THE RAP DIRECTORY https://www.gigsalad.com/Singers/Hip-Hop-Artist/TX/Fort+Worth
I would be happy to give you some advice about management for your music career. It should be a very interesting, enjoyable career and the first step is becoming well informed. Something that you can actively do every day.
I have left a link for you below for the Texas Music Management Directory. If you haven't used it yet, take a look at it and see if there are any new places you can seek management. I see that you are in the Rap genre. You may want to list yourself in a rap directory for possible gigs. I left a link for you below. I think you should focus on performance right now and management can come later. Obtaining management is going to depend on how much experience you have, networking and contacts that you make in the music industry and being open minded, realizing what the career entails.
Another suggestion that I also have is to diversify your talents. Think about learning studio recording and branching out into other music genres. The more versatile you are, the more markets you can participate in. Learn how to produce your own music videos, too, and put them on You Tube or another platform. I think My Space evolved into a music website these days, so check out My Space, too.
Try not to worry too much about people being "selfish" which can be defined in different ways. The music industry is a business and it is run as a business. It's best to learn a bit about the business end because that can help you understand the ins and outs of the interactions you will have. Many of the performing careers have a certain amount of challenges, stress and also triumphs.
Try to meet as many people as possible. The more people that you meet the better your chances will be to meet a manager that you really like.
Michelle recommends the following next steps: