Be ready to propel your band into music history.
So, you want to manage and promote a band but don’t know do it? Well, you are in good company! Many people got started in this career field without a clue. They only had a vested interest in a few artists. As a result, they learned the music business one mistake (or success) at a time. Just ask Matthew Knowles the secret behind the wildly successful group Destiny’s Child. He started off as a concerned parent and now is a well-respected manager and promoter of many artists. All it took was a strong desire and willingness to learn.
Instructions
1. Find a band. It should be one that plays music that you feel is marketable and full of hard workers who trust you. That’s right. The band members have to trust that you will do all you can to promote their work and manage their business. Otherwise, the relationship will fall apart easily. Keep this in mind as you choose your artists.
2. Create a business and marketing strategy. The basic premise for both should be a successful dividend, music launch and fan base for your band. Be sure to share it with the band members, so they understand why you book them in certain venues and why they get paid (or don’t) at different times. It should also include a detailed discussion about his or her image so you can get a full buy-in from every band member.
3. Get each band member to sign contracts. You notice that this was not the first thing on the list. Why? You want to be sure that you want to represent a band, and you want them to be sure they want you to manage and promote them. After you go over the initial information with them, then you should sign contracts. This process will give everyone a chance to “get out” just in case the relationship proves to be a “mismatch.”
4. Get to work. Find venues for your artists to play at. Set up appointments with stylists to tweak their image. Make sure their music is right. And set out to find a record deal. Be sure to keep your artists abreast of everything along the way. Most importantly, keep moving forward. Successful, money-making bands aren't made overnight; they are made one step and connection at a time.
5. Take a written account of what does and doesn’t work. This account is key because, no matter how hard you try, you will make mistakes. Don’t let these bring you down. Use them as learning tools as to what “not” to do. Take it in stride and keep on going forward for the sake of yourself and the band.
Tags: your artists, band member, band members, manage promote, sign contracts