When Do You Need A Manager?

With an unsigned act, artist managers have to assume multiple roles: booking agent, graphic designer, publicist, promoter…

Most artists and bands want to achieve success in the music business, for instance earning enough from travelling and playing their beloved instrument to quitting their day job. Good management is almost always necessary to achieve any measure of success in this tough business. Many musicians are intelligent and resourceful, and certainly have the capacity to manage their own affairs, but the artist that can handle all this and progress in his art without losing focus and/or sanity is rare.

The basic question is when do you need a manager?

The simple answer is when you have something to manage. Sounds pretty obvious, but it is the most accurate answer I can give. Many artists and bands tend to seek management far too early in their careers, but others wait too long. Some artists and bands look for management to take over every aspect of the band's business so they can just "show up and play...". Even if the manager could do it all, bands must understand that success or failure is solely the band's responsibility. Not the manager's.

The main reason an artist or band tends to seek a manager is because they want to be playing regular gigs as well as get extensive media attention to help promote the artist and their music. From the very first day, a good manager will be driven by an artist or band's achievements, which may be as simple as having a great song written or access to a decent PA or an opportunity to perform for an A&R scout. Any "successful" regional act will tell you that practicing and playing are only a very small part of the job of being in a band; meeting club owners, networking with other bands, and studying the music industry are just a few of many responsibilities. Remember, it's called the music business for a reason.

If you or your band is lucky enough to have a close friend outside the band (not a groupie!) with respect for the band and music, some computer skills, motivation to succeed, and basic business knowledge, you're in luck! Most up-and-coming bands aren't in the financial position to pay a manager or even pay their rent for that matter, so be sure to respect the free labour you're receiving for what it is. Once your band is has established itself and written some material to perform live, utilize your resources to record a good demo tape, write a band biography, and have some professional pictures made. Basically, a killer press kit. Then, use those tools to help create some business to manage!

When you know you’re ready for a manager and haven’t got the full time to focus your attention on playing as well as your administrative duties, its essential to find the perfect manager.

Let me share what we can do for you…

(1) Artist/Band Management Services - with the extensive experience in the music business, and the skills to get you gigs through our effective zone booking strategies, we are bound to handle your work. Read more here.

(2) Killer Press Kit - if you feel you can be your own manager, its important to get your killer press kit sorted and to the highest standard otherwise you can’t make it. Read more here.

(3) Personal Coaching - let our personal coaching help you in the right direction and show you how to create the right framework for success, helping you to achieve your desire. Read more here.

We are a team of individuals that use our individual experience to work on your projects ensuring we create the right work for you. If you are interested in any of the services we provide, please get in touch by email at info@coachkavit.com or call +44 (0)20 8816 8773.