Many people are trying to make it big in the music industry.
With this increase in independent artists recently, people are debating whether
or not they need any help. Many people are recording music their selves from
the comfort of their own homes. They write and compose their own songs, and now
they are managing their own music. Is this a good idea? Will this help aim for
success or will it cause a downfall?
If an artist does not hire a manager, then he or she has to
do everything on his or her own. “Hiring a manager may seem like you are giving
up a lot of control and money, but not doing so is the mistake that many
talented bands make across the world” (Sigmon, n.d.). When being a
manager for one’s own band, things can get out of hand or ultimately fail. Most
people don’t understand the pressure of balancing everything, from business to
creativity. “Aside from being a musician, you’ll need to book gigs, schedule
tours, negotiate deals, sign contracts you probably don’t even understand,
license your songs, give interviews…at this point, it’s obvious being a
successful musician goes far beyond the music itself” (Kreinbrink, 2011). It is
a very easy thing to get lost in all the work and most get controlled or
blindsided by record labels. Losing rights to everything that represents one’s
band or music is not something any musician wants.
This does not mean that anyone that wants to be an artist
should run out and hire a manager. It is good to get the feel for being one’s own
manager before hiring one. This way the artist knows what to expect in
situations and understands the work of a manager. It gives a mutual respect for
the manager’s line of work. One also has to make sure that the manager he or
she hires is going to return that mutual respect. Even though it is a hard
process to juggle being an artist and a manager, it is better to take the
juggling challenge than signing with a manager that doesn’t care. “The right
manager should be able to translate your artistic vision so that it remains
consistent with your business operations” (Kreinbrink, 2011). Also, the weight
of cost is a big factor in even considering hiring a manager. Most managers are
going to ask for 15-20% of the artist’s gross income. This could be an issue
for the artist is he or she is not making enough money.
Many things come into play when considering an artist.
Should you hire a manager? Honestly, it really depends on the situation. If
someone is just starting his or her music career, then I would say no. As
stated before, it is good to have the experience and the payment is probably
not an option. If the artist is becoming more recognizable and has a growing
fan base, then I would say it is a necessity.
References
Kreinbrink, J. (2011, July
1). Should you hire an artist manager?. Retrieved from
Sigmon, J. (n.d.). Realistic
expectations of an indie manager. Retrieved from
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