35 Tips for Self-Management
as a Musicianby Christopher Knab - Fourfront Media & Music - May 2003
Back to The Academy
Most musicians say they want to make a lot of money with their music, but when it comes down to it, few are willing to do what it takes to have their music heard, promoted, and marketed. Self-management can be the cure-all for many dedicated, passionate, and talented musicians who are willing to put their careers on the line by working hard to carve out their own unique musical niche. The following tips are suggested for any musician who wants to manage their careers as a business. You need to develop the skills of being a good business manager. Here are 35 tips to get you started.
1. Know what you value most from making your music, and honor your values
2. Set up your music career as a business, (sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation?) and keep good records
3. Decide what kind of career success you want, & evaluate your creative/business skills
4. Prepare an overview, or draft of a career plan that address your goals
5. Outline specific strategies to achieve your goals, and pick specific tasks to work on
6. Remember that getting there IS the trip, and once you arrive somewhere...where next?
7. Don’t forget that killing time also kills success
8. Don’t let a day go by without doing something to keep you to your plan
9. Stay focused on what you have planned to do, and don’t run away from it
10. Be sure to get regular feedback on your music from the music business contacts you have made
11. Stay informed: read books and articles on the business of music regularly
12. Organize your office space, and keep it organized
13. Practice your communication skills in person, as well as on the phone
14. Be sure to follow-up on any promises you have made to anyone in the business
15. Create a Webpage, and promote it aggressively.
16. Join and support music/musician associations; participate in membership activities
17. Remember that you are not alone as a musician, find unique networking opportunities
18. Don’t stay frozen in one belief system; be willing to let go and learn
19. When something doesn’t work…stop doing it, and don’t do it again
20. Be sure to give yourself time to stop and do nothing. i.e. Rest!
21. Keep your physical self in good shape, and eat a reasonably healthy diet
22. Identify who your most important friends and supporters are, and don’t forget them
23. At least once a year, study some topic you would not normally consider studying
24. Go out! Wherever your office is, take regular breaks, and pace yourself accordingly
25. Seek inspiration from unlikely sources
26. Don’t let any kind of success you create get to your head. Be grateful, and move on
27. Don’t blame other people for your struggles
28. Take advice only from those who have earned it
29. If you can’t or don’t want to do some particular task...don’t; hire out intelligently
30. Find out what your personal work rhythms are, and honor them
31. Nurture your relationship with fans, and communicate with them regularly
32. Only use attorneys, booking agents, and publicists with music business backgrounds
33. Realize that the unexpected may show up at any moment, and be able to react to it
34. Don’t follow trends, observe them and learn from them
35. Realize that performing, promoting, and marketing in non-traditional ways are much easier to do than trying to act like a superstar.
Saturday, 16 August 2014
THE SECRET TO BEING A GOOD ARTIST MANAGER
THE SECRET TO BEING A GOOD ARTIST MANAGER
A lot of people have been asking me for advice with regards to Artist Management, some are aspiring managers and some musicians looking for managers.
So I then decided to share the little knowledge I know, through my experiences and what I’ve read writen by experts…..
So I then decided to share the little knowledge I know, through my experiences and what I’ve read writen by experts…..
Well here’s my 2 cents worth advice to anyone interested:
*Managing an artist’s career requires interaction with people of all personality types under many pleasant and some unpleasant circumstances
* Among the most challenging can be those times when it is necessary to manage around the ego of another.
* Managing an artist requires patience and understanding of that person’s behaviour and attitude.
* The music business is one where egos thrive, with many trying to be “somebody” or trying to assert that they already are somebody.
* The biggest problem in Managing an artist is when the manager him/herself is arrogant and ego-driven and that’s always the biggest problem in the South African music industry
* Among the most challenging can be those times when it is necessary to manage around the ego of another.
* Managing an artist requires patience and understanding of that person’s behaviour and attitude.
* The music business is one where egos thrive, with many trying to be “somebody” or trying to assert that they already are somebody.
* The biggest problem in Managing an artist is when the manager him/herself is arrogant and ego-driven and that’s always the biggest problem in the South African music industry
Leadership is an important skill of a Manager at the beginning of an Artist’s career or at the beginning of the Artist-manager relationship.
* The influence of an Artist Manager on the early planning and development of an artist’s career is what helps the artist develop a focus and an organised purpose.
* It is important for the manager to keep good relations with Booking Agencies/Promoters and key Media people.
* The higher the demand for an Artist, the easier the job is for the manager.
* The influence of an Artist Manager on the early planning and development of an artist’s career is what helps the artist develop a focus and an organised purpose.
* It is important for the manager to keep good relations with Booking Agencies/Promoters and key Media people.
* The higher the demand for an Artist, the easier the job is for the manager.
* THE MOST DIFFICULT ARTIST TO MANAGE, IS ONE WITH NO HIT SINGLE OR BRAND VISIBILITY.
- A hit single that is on high rotation on radio and tv attracts the attention of promoters, meaning the manager no longer makes calls for bookings, they automatically come due to the artist’s popularity and relevance.
– In many occasions, I have been approached by artists with no hit singles or songs that have potential to be hit singles and honestly it has always been a challenge for me because my belief is that a Manager is mostly required when an artist can’t handle all the work on their own.
– I don’t believe in artists being “spoon-fed”!!!
– In many occasions, I have been approached by artists with no hit singles or songs that have potential to be hit singles and honestly it has always been a challenge for me because my belief is that a Manager is mostly required when an artist can’t handle all the work on their own.
– I don’t believe in artists being “spoon-fed”!!!
* Networking is key in building an Artist’s career.
* If an Artist Manager, in the music business cannot get a call returned, they are ineffective, so building a network of contacts & relationships early in a career is extremely important.
* To build a network, a manager must be willing to become involved in both the business and social sides of the music industry.
* When an artist has become popular, there are demands on their time that the manager must try to meet because an artist’s career in the music business has a limited shelf life, and there is an urgency to draw as much from it as possible while demand is there
* As a manager, you must always be prepared for business regardless of the time of the day or day of the week; which means as a manager you do not have set office hours with weekends and holidays off or vacation.
* As an Artist Manager you are responsible for the success of every performance an artist makes.
* Being a manager comes with a lot of stress and pressure, with everyone shifting the blame on you when something goes wrong, it is important to keep a calm and be able to absorb all the pressure under any circumstance.
* Attending industry events, award shows, launches is key in order to meet key players who may be helpful in the careers of both the manager and artist.
* If an Artist Manager, in the music business cannot get a call returned, they are ineffective, so building a network of contacts & relationships early in a career is extremely important.
* To build a network, a manager must be willing to become involved in both the business and social sides of the music industry.
* When an artist has become popular, there are demands on their time that the manager must try to meet because an artist’s career in the music business has a limited shelf life, and there is an urgency to draw as much from it as possible while demand is there
* As a manager, you must always be prepared for business regardless of the time of the day or day of the week; which means as a manager you do not have set office hours with weekends and holidays off or vacation.
* As an Artist Manager you are responsible for the success of every performance an artist makes.
* Being a manager comes with a lot of stress and pressure, with everyone shifting the blame on you when something goes wrong, it is important to keep a calm and be able to absorb all the pressure under any circumstance.
* Attending industry events, award shows, launches is key in order to meet key players who may be helpful in the careers of both the manager and artist.
- For Artist Managers, being social means having a congenial and approachable style that gives the appearance of being comfortable in many casual and business settings
– An allied social skill is to know the appropriate attire for different types of business meetings and events; not every artist manager enjoys social settings, but being part of them is a requirement of the job.
– Communication is key in an Artist Manager’s job, from communicating the artist and business associates.
-Persistence is highly important in being an Artist Manager, avoid being aggressive in getting your artist out there.
– An allied social skill is to know the appropriate attire for different types of business meetings and events; not every artist manager enjoys social settings, but being part of them is a requirement of the job.
– Communication is key in an Artist Manager’s job, from communicating the artist and business associates.
-Persistence is highly important in being an Artist Manager, avoid being aggressive in getting your artist out there.
REQUIRED SKILLS TO BE A GOOD MANAGER:
* The best managers understand salesmanship and use those skills to create an interest by others in their clients. They use persuasion to influence and motivate industry gatekeepers on behalf of their artists.
* Artist Managers have a good sense of business, and are good at budgeting both time and money.
* An Artist Manager has the necessary technical skills to deal with everyone from the Promoter to the sound technician at an artist’s performance.
* Managers must keep their focus on the artist’s career, and also keep the artist from being distracted by the frustrations that go along with pursuing a competitive, high-rewards career. The artist too must maintain a focus on goals and it is the challenge of the manager to keep them motivated.
* Another important skill is to be able to solve problems,like defusing conflicts, resolving interpersonal issues, finding other ways to get results and being the “go to” person when major components of an event for the artist begin to fall apart.
* Artist Managers have a good sense of business, and are good at budgeting both time and money.
* An Artist Manager has the necessary technical skills to deal with everyone from the Promoter to the sound technician at an artist’s performance.
* Managers must keep their focus on the artist’s career, and also keep the artist from being distracted by the frustrations that go along with pursuing a competitive, high-rewards career. The artist too must maintain a focus on goals and it is the challenge of the manager to keep them motivated.
* Another important skill is to be able to solve problems,like defusing conflicts, resolving interpersonal issues, finding other ways to get results and being the “go to” person when major components of an event for the artist begin to fall apart.
HARSH REALITIES OF BEING A MANAGER:
* A lot of people will say no and a lot of gatekeepers will seem immovable. When they say “No”, it is not personal to the manager, it simply means you must find a way to get past the gatekeeper or pursue another that is more likely to give you an audience. Another way to get past them is to find someone in your network who can open that door for you.
* If your phone calls are not returned or your emails not acknowledged, it is not personal, it just means you haven’t developed the perception that you offer something that will improve the other person’s business.
* Keeping the spirits of your artists up during a continuing career roller coaster will be draining for you. Understand that the pursuit if opportunities for your artist will include manny rejections due primarily to competition within the industry
* Many will tell you whatever is necessary to get you off the phone or their doorstep if they think you have nothing to contribute to their business. Things like “I’m in a meeting” “I’ll call you back” and they never do, but don’t take it personal
* People will disappoint you, especially those you dependent on
* The agendas of many people in the music business determine whether you matter to them. If you manage a significant artist, they will stumble over each other to get a conversation with you, if you are a former manager if a major artist or artist that’s not popular yet, you might get a lame hello or none at all from music industry people.
* If your phone calls are not returned or your emails not acknowledged, it is not personal, it just means you haven’t developed the perception that you offer something that will improve the other person’s business.
* Keeping the spirits of your artists up during a continuing career roller coaster will be draining for you. Understand that the pursuit if opportunities for your artist will include manny rejections due primarily to competition within the industry
* Many will tell you whatever is necessary to get you off the phone or their doorstep if they think you have nothing to contribute to their business. Things like “I’m in a meeting” “I’ll call you back” and they never do, but don’t take it personal
* People will disappoint you, especially those you dependent on
* The agendas of many people in the music business determine whether you matter to them. If you manage a significant artist, they will stumble over each other to get a conversation with you, if you are a former manager if a major artist or artist that’s not popular yet, you might get a lame hello or none at all from music industry people.
TIPS ON BECOMING A GOOD MANAGER:
* Give yourself a good self-assessment by looking at the strengths you have and how you will use those to the best advantage of yourself and your clients.
* Under every circumstance, act and be professional
* Build and maintain a network of contacts, that means calling on your contacts for assistance when you need it but it also means offering help when they don’t expect it.
* The smartest managers recognise that for a genuine growth, a career requires continuous education. Read books!!!!
* Know the business etiquette for the music industry.
* Be prepared for career setbacks and brace yourself for recovery
* Be better than your competing Artist Managers and become known as an expert
* Look successful even though your career is still a work in progress.
5 Ways to Market Your Talents and Build Personal Brand
5 Ways to Market Your Talents and Build Personal Brand
1. Know exactly what it is you do to or for others.
You need to be able to express this in a very short, memorable sentence, so that when people have a particular issue that you can solve they immediately think of you. Most 'branders' will tell you it has to be 12 or less words, some say 7, some say even 2 or 3. Whatever it ends up being make it impactful.
2. Make it impossible someone to say no to you after they have met you.
If you have managed to do all the hard work and gained someone’s attention, make sure that you provide them with enough that they feel they cannot leave the interaction without wanting more. Might be another meeting, a request to follow up or to see a portfolio.
3. Do not shy away from what you do and love what it does for others.
If you are not passionate about what it is you do, if you are embarrassed when people ask, then its draining and negatively impacting on all that you do. Find something that connects with your values and delivers a difference. This is perfectly possible in a corporate environment.
4. Do not be like the cobbler and his children.
Quite often I hear the phrase "Typical, its like the cobbler who's children had no shoes.....” I will admit it, even I am guilty of this sometimes. But bottom line is that we should always be walking our talk - if you are in finance be sure your personal money is in order, if you are in IT don't have an overflowing inbox, if you are in marketing have a portfolio that reflects that.
5. Do more of what you are good at, leverage your talents.
What are you particularly known for, your unique ability? How can this be weaved more consistently in to your everyday actions? Become known for something that proves to be invaluable, because then you are.
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