Manage Your Music

Once your band has gone past the "we'll play anywhere just for the sake of it" phase, it's time for a band meeting.....or more appropriately,
meetings. 


At this point, the buzz of performing is still very strong. To continue down this road without any guidance, direction an organisation will see things disintegrate into double-bookings, financial disagreements, repertoire and your once staunch rehearsal timetable.


Like it or not you are going to need a manager. I can hear many independent musicians shaking at this prospect. The vast majority of those who may be somewhat reluctant in this area are reluctant because they're never worked with a manager and only have stories of scams and scandals to go by. Whilst such tales do occur, they occur no more or less than any other business.


When the decision has been made to employ a manager your band must have an initial meeting to do a 'stock-take.' This entails an inventory of all of your recorded music, any video footage that you may have of live performances, press articles, radio interviews, photographs, 'major' appearances, regular venues, type and size of crowds that you attract. Your promotional resources personal/family commitments. With regard to all of these factors, do not lie! It will bite you on the backside further on down the road harder than you can ever imagine.

By this time, your band has been in the game long enough to be able to contact prospective managers. Give yourselves options. You are about to become employers and you want the best candidate to take your career to the next level.


Once you have decided on possibilities, contact them. Contacting them in person is ideal but not always possible. Prospective managers will appreciate your goodwill.


The next step in the process is to organise meetings with each of them. It may be necessary to schedule the meetings over something of a protracted period. This is not a bad thing. There are a few rules that are imperative when each meeting occurs.


Ensure that each band member is not under the influence of alcohol or any other mind-altering substance. Nominate one member to be spokesman. That spokesman should express the bands wishes as far as what they desire from a manager. Only selective material should be presented. Managers are not fond of bands who reel off only their major achievements. Emphasise commitment. Combined with your track record this indicates that the manager can, as previously mentioned, take you to the next level and earn money himself whilst at it. 


When the prospective manager has his say, be on the lookout for 'big-noters' and a blaze' attitude. For the astute musician, these traits will be detected during the initial stage of the meeting.


As your band progress through meetings you will begin to get the knack of what a managers role is and the variety of tactics employed in order to achieve the same desired result. More of that in a future entry.


In the meantime, get yourself some "Redemption." Discount code: lusty