Movie Education

You wouldn’t pick just anybody toplay in your band. You want the best you can get, someone who adds something tothe music you’re creating. You should approach hiring artist consultants ormusic management companies the same way.

Chances are, you already know what tolook for in a bass player or a producer. But, do you know what to look for in amusic management company? Obviously, you need someone you can trust bothpersonally and professionally. But what else should you be looking for in musicmanagement companies?

Here are 5 important things toconsider:

1.   Tenacity and Reliability. You need an artist manager who knows how to follow throughand is prepared to stick with you. Sometimes it takes a while before bands orartists become an ‘overnight success.’ You need someone who won’t quit on you just because a label turns yourdemo down, someone who knows that you may hear a few ‘no’s’ before you get thatrecording contract. Don’t be afraid to ask any prospective band managementcompany to prove they have these qualities by giving references or interviewingthem yourself!

2.   Relevant Experience. What success has the band management company had managing others? At theend of the day, the music business is a business, and your artist manager needsto be able to deal with people and sell your product.

3.   Entrepreneurial Experience. You may consider an artist consultant with limited experiencewith music, but be very careful about working with one who has limitedexperience in business. The idealband manager will have experience as an entrepreneur within the music andentertainment industry.

4.   Connections. Whatcontacts does the band management company have in your genre of music?  Do theywork with similar genre artists?  If a bandmanager doesn’t have connections in your genre, he/she isn’t much use to you.If, on the other hand, the band management company has established relationswith the people who will ultimately decide whether to sign you, you want themrepresenting you.  Regardless, you needsomeone who has connections or has the skills to acquire them. 

5.   Natural Born Leader. Like musical skills, some business skills can be taught, but others youeither have or you don’t. You need an artist manager who is good with people.  This isn’t hard to spot.  Are people drawn to him or her?  Do people seem to naturally respect him andwhat they are saying?  Do you respecthim/her? 

Some of the best college coaches andpoliticians are able to work a room and get everyone looking at them, talkingto them, listening to them, agreeing with them, usually with tremendous oddsagainst them.  This is a skill that isoften learned and not taught.  You want aband manager or artist consultant who can tell you when things are good andtell you when things are bad, while keeping your professional interests inperspective.  Your band manager standsright off the center of your music.  Theyshould help push you and your goals in the right direction at all times.  This is the number one fundamental of a greatmusic, artist or band manager.

Too many bands jump at the firstoffer they get from a band manager. Often, they are taken advantage of by bandmanagement companies who don’t know what they’re doing. Don’t let that happento you. Take the time to look into any band management company before you signon. Your success as an artist or band depends on building a team of qualified,hard-working and trusted people.  Hiringa music manager or artist consultant is great step in the right direction.