Last Updated: July 2nd, 2022 by
Career Shortcuts
Do you love music? Are you great at negotiating and have excellent interpersonal skills? If so, a career as a music manager may be perfect for you!
The music business is very competitive, and it takes a lot of hard work and dedication to succeed.
There are many different paths that you can take to learn how to become a music manager.
The most important thing is to have a passion for music and be able to work hard. Keep reading to get some tips on how to become a music manager.
Visit our Career Guide for a list of all our job insights for an in depth look at the new career path you are considering.
What Does a Music Manager Do?
A music manager is responsible for the career of a musician or band.
They handle everything from booking gigs and managing finances, to promoting the artist and handling media relations.
In some cases, they may also serve as the producer for recordings.
A good music manager will also have a deep understanding of the music industry and know how to navigate the often-complicated business landscape.
They will also be highly organized and capable of multitasking, as they often have to juggle numerous projects at once.
Above all, they must be passionate about the artists they represent and be dedicated to helping them achieve success.
This passion is key to learning how to become a music manager.
Career Guide
How Can You Become a Music Manager?
Becoming a music manager usually requires education, experience, and industry connections.
The combination is done in steps that include the following:
Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
A bachelor’s degree is an essential step to learning how to become a music manager.
With a bachelor’s degree, you’ll have the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the business side of the music industry, and you’ll be able to communicate with artist managers and other industry professionals effectively.
A bachelor’s degree will also allow you to learn about the music business from various perspectives, including economics, law, and marketing.
In addition, a bachelor’s degree will provide you with the chance to network with other professionals in the music industry.
By earning a bachelor’s degree, you’ll be well-prepared to launch a successful career as a music manager.
Complete an Internship
A career as a music manager requires a specific set of skills and knowledge. Most importantly, you must be able to spot talent and have an ear for good music.
You should also be familiar with the business side of the music industry, including marketing and promotion.
However, the most important thing is to have a good network of contacts. Getting your foot in the door will be difficult without the right connections.
One of the best ways to gain experience and build your network is to complete an internship with a music management company.
Internships typically last between 3 and 6 months, and they provide you with an opportunity to learn the ropes while working with established professionals.
In addition, many internships lead to full-time job offers, so they can be a great way to jumpstart your career.
Stay Updated on Trends in the Industry.
To be successful as a music manager, it is essential to stay up-to-date on trends in the music industry.
This means keeping abreast of new technologies, developments in the business world, and changes in the musical landscape.
It can be a daunting task, but it is essential for anyone who wants to make it in the music industry.
Fortunately, several resources are available to help managers stay on top of industry trends.
These include online forums, trade publications, and professional conferences.
By taking advantage of these resources, managers can make sure they are always up-to-date on the latest industry news.
Apply for Jobs With Established Artists or Companies
Becoming a music manager requires extensive knowledge of the industry and connections to established artists and companies.
One way to gain both is to apply for jobs with artists or already established companies.
This will allow you to learn about the business and build relationships with people who can help further your career.
In addition, working for an established artist or company will provide you with a valuable portfolio that you can use to attract future clients.
Therefore, if you are serious about becoming a music manager, applying for jobs with established artists or companies is a great place to start.
Find Your Clients
To be successful as a music manager requires more than just a passion for music.
It also entails business savvy, industry connections, and the ability to attract and retain clients.
While some music managers can land high-profile clients early in their careers, most need to start by finding their clients.
This can be a daunting task, but there are a few key ways to increase your chances of success.
First, spend time networking with other industry professionals. Second, build up your reputation by working with lower-profile artists and bands.
Finally, make sure you have a strong understanding of the music business and clients’ expectations.
By following these steps, you can set yourself up for success in finding and signing your clients.
Depending on who you are managing, the salary expectations of a music manager can actually range anywhere from $16,338 to a whopping $440,037!
Yes, this is a pretty large gap, and the median usually falls between $79,230 and $199,163. This goes to show that, with a career as a music manager, the sky’s the limit!
Read our related article on How to Become an Audio Engineer. If you have a knack for audio, check out this career guide!
Skills for a Music Manager
A music manager is responsible for guiding the career of a music artist or band.
This can involve everything from booking shows and negotiating contracts to managing finances and promoting an artist’s work.
A music manager needs an understanding of the music industry and a wide range of business and management skills.
One of the essential skills for a music manager is to spot talent.
A good manager will be able to listen to an artist and identify their potential, even if they are not yet well-known.
They will also have the vision to see how an artist could develop over time and the passion for helping them realize their full potential.
In addition to spotting talent, a good music manager will also be able to identify trends in the industry and adapt their artist’s career accordingly.
They need to think ahead and predict what might be popular in the future to position their artist.
This requires a keen understanding of both the industry’s business and the creative sides.
A good music manager will also have strong networking skills.
They need to be able to build relationships with key figures in the industry, such as label executives, booking agents, and festival promoters.
These relationships are essential for getting their artist’s music heard to further help promote their music career.
Finally, a good music manager will have excellent negotiation skills.
This is because they need to be able to negotiate contracts on behalf of their artist and secure bookings and promotional opportunities.
Therefore, a music manager requires a deep understanding of the industry and the ability to advocate for the artist’s interests.
The video below gives you more information on what music managers:
Conclusion
If you have a passion for music and the necessary skills, becoming a music manager can be a rewarding career.
By following the steps outlined above, you can increase your chances of success in this competitive industry.
