Do Music Producers Need Managers To Succeed?
That’s the question, do music producers and beatmakers need managers? The answer is no especially in today’s music industry, where there’s no shortage of independently successful music creators. That being said, some artists (and beatmakers) need a little push to make it to the next level while others need full artist development.
What Is A Music Producer Manager?
A manager is an industry professional that helps music producers and beatmakers build, grow, and further their music career. Much like a manager for an artist or band, a producer’s manager handles the business side of music so producers can focus on creating music.
Music Manager Responsibilities
Most managers have good connections and often wear many hats throughout the process of management. A manager’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Contract Negotiation: contracts and licensing deals can be very overwhelming and complicated. A music manager is there to advise, look over and advocate (negotiate) for their client’s best interest. Not having a manager or attorney look over your contract is where most newly signed acts go wrong.
Marketing and Promotion: Good marketing and promotion are vital to a music producer’s success. Knowing who your market is as well as how and when to push material to them is just as important as having the right music.
Money management: Lack of money management skills is often how music creatives go broke. A good manager will have resources to assist with managing finances, both in terms of saving and investing.
Music Placement Opportunities: An accomplished manager will have a list of working relationships with artists, other managers, publishing companies, and sync licensing opportunities they can push their client’s music to as they see fit.
How Much Do Music Producers Managers Charge?
Most managers will take 10-50% of the gross profits they help generate. 15 and 30% is standard, and 50% while on the high side, is not uncommon.
When To Hire A Music Manager
The best time to hire a music manager is when you have a career to manage! When you’re at a point where the day-to-day business tasks are hurting you more than helping you, it’s time to hire a manager.
How Does a Music Producer Find a Manager?
There isn’t a lot of artist development these days. 20 to 30 years ago it was customary to find new talent and groom them from scratch. Today, music is easier to make which exposes managers to a lot more talent on a daily basis. Consider the following if you want to stand out.
Generate A Solid Fanbase: Nothing speaks louder than numbers to a music manager, label, or major publisher. Sure, talent is helpful, but who doesn’t have talent? If you want to get people’s attention, the size of your following/fanbase will do the job.
Network: Networking is highly important. As much as music is turned into a predominantly online business it’s still a people’s business and who you know can go a long way. Connect with professionals within your industry. Get to know interns, mixing engineers, others producers, artists, and graphic designers, everyone knows someone.
Look for the right Manager: Well-known managers have good contacts and big clients. This could be good or bad. Good because you know the opportunities can be huge. Bad because most of their time is consumed with their A-list artists. You want to find a manager that has success but doesn’t manage a lot of people this way you know you’re personal needs as a client are being met.
How To Get A Music Manager (Video)
This video was made years ago and isn’t as clear as it could have been, but what I’m alluding to is reaching out to music managers when you have a career worth managing.
If you have a manageable career, music professionals will start reaching out to you and inquiring. In the event you reach out to them first, you’ll at least have something to negotiate with.
You want to do as much as possible by yourself before spending money on a babysitter. Managers have a great responsibility when they’re in a partnership with any music producer or artist. Not only are they managing the music producer’s career but they’re also managing their lives which is why I call them babysitters.
Some of us (a lot) need to be babysat. We need someone to help keep us on track and accountable and someone who will advocate for us in negotiations.
