Managing a music career can be overwhelming. That’s why people do it for a living, and can make very good money doing so. When it comes to managing your music career, you can do it yourself… to a point. If you are serious about your business, it’s best to get others involved at some point. The question is when?

What are your Goals?

Managers are there to help you reach your career goals. And help you both make money. Know what your goals are before you start looking for someone to help you reach them. If you don't, you leave yourself vulnerable. And you might waste time and money.

You should decide what your ideas of success are before you involve someone else. Before you hire someone, you need to figure out what you’re hiring them for. For instance, do you want to be touring the world? Do you want to make millions? Or would you be happy just making a living? Those answers will help you decide what type of help you need.

What is the difference between a manager and an agent?

There are different types of professionals that can help you manage your music career. You might have heard of agents and managers before, but can’t tell the difference. You’re not alone! Here is a quick run down of the difference between these pros:

Manager:

Looks for career building opportunities, collaborations, licensing, and other revenue streams.
Bring on music producers and other team members to help you.
Protect you from stressors that might take you away from being a creative.
Do not need a professional license.
Usually earn 10-20% commission from all the artist’s earnings.

Agent:

Needs a professional certification or license by the state.
In charge of booking gigs, and making official deals on the artist’s behalf.
Part of a professional agency, and might have several clients.
Usually earn a 10% commission from their bookings and deals.

Usually, you’d hire a professional manager before finding an agent. Then, the manager can deal with bringing on other team members. There are other professionals that you will likely hire along the way. If you don't have a manager, you’d hire these people yourself.

Do it Yourself First

One good way to determine what you need help with is to do-it yourself first. You can read all the books and articles on managing your music career. But nothing helps you like good-old-fashioned experience. You don’t need to become an expert on everything, and realistically, you can’t. But it’s super helpful to at least try to manage yourself. Book yourself some gigs, reach out to DJs, market yourself to start.

A bonus from doing it yourself is that you’ll discover what you like to do. You might realize you like networking, and booking gigs, but you can’t stand the financials. You might want to find someone who considers themselves more of a business manager. Or you might be just fine managing your business, and all you really need is some PR. Some of it will be so easy or fun you won’t have to pay someone to do it at all. Consider your own skills and access to funds. Is it worth doing it yourself, or can you make money some other way and pay someone to do it?

Another reason to do it yourself first: You’ll know if the person is actually doing their job. Having all this experience will help you pick the right people to help you. You want to hire people who will work just as hard for you as you will work for you. And get you better results than you can get for yourself.

Consider your Network

Before you make the plunge and start looking for professionals, consider your network. Aside from agents, none of these people need to licenses. That means that you can tap into your real (and social) networks. Use your charm, and find people who might be able to help you for free or cheap.

Check on LinkedIn, Facebook, and your other social networks. Tell people you’re looking for management. You might have a friend of a friend who is down to manage you for free until you start making money. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, and let people know what you’re looking for. People just out of school, or who are looking to change careers might find it mutually beneficial to work with you even if you haven’t started earning money.

What to Consider Before Committing to a Manager

If you’ve figured out your goals, spent some time doing it yourself, and tapped into your network, you can start looking for a manager. Or they might start looking for you. Whatever you choose to do, do it with your eyes open. There are great people out there, and there are people looking to exploit.

What your manager should do:

Managers and artists work very closely together. Your manager should understand your vision. You should be able to trust them to create a game plan that helps you reach your goals. They should consult with you on major decisions, but take care of the smaller ones. They should give you the tough feedback and help you make the right changes —whether it’s your music or your look. They can also be there to talk you off the ledge when you’re overwhelmed. Once you make it to superstar status, they should make sure all the m&ms in your dressing room are green.

Make a Contract:

Even if your manager is your friend, or your mom, make a contract so you are on the same page about money and goals. Professional managers take about 15% of your earnings as a musician. Good managers only make that commission off of your earnings minus expenses. Some people do variable contracts, where the manager’s commission changes depending on the amount of money the artist earns. Don't wait until the money starts coming in to think about how your manager will be compensated.

Different Levels:

You can’t just pay more up front for someone with more experience, and a bigger network. Big time managers with a ton of contacts and experience might have their own business, or work for an agency. They are selective about who they work with. You might attract one of these managers to work with you, even as a beginner. But usually big time managers work with artists who are already established, and who look like good investments. At this level, they might even split off into two categories. Some are business managers who deal with finances, others focus more on the music and image.

Decide what is Right for You

You are the only one who can decide what you need. You can put together a team without a manager, but having one saves a lot of time and stress. Time you can devote to your music. Do as much as you can for free, and do your research, then go after whatever you need to reach your goals.

Sources:

When is the Right Time to Hire a Music Manager: Musicindustryhowto.com

Understanding the Music Industry: Artist Managers and Booking Agents –What they do and Why you Need Them heroic.academy

What Artists' Managers Really Earn billboard.com

When is the best time to hire a manager for your music career?