I get this question alot, and I wrote out an answer for this young artist and thought I would share my thoughts, as well as see if it helps anyone... if you do find it helpful I appreciate you taking the time to read it.....
Grimm
www.myspace.com/gotmanager
hopefully you have a couple minutes to answer a question for me. basically im looking to take my music to the next level what steps would an artist have to go through before doing shows and finding management. also how does getting a manager go? do they come to your or are you supposed to go to them.
thanks in advance
after most artists finish their music/albums they have it mixed and mastered, if you have done this then you are ahead of the game. Once mixed and mastered you want to complete your business license, biz bank account, and have a biz card, and website other than that of myspace. All of the above creates the foundation for your "Music Business". You have an established entity that can accept and perform real business in the eyes of your peers, major labels, djs, radio stations and more.
That would be step one in my opinion.
So after you have a foundation and a brand which is part of all above mentioned, you need to plant the seeds and grow a fan base. The best way to do so is start with friends and family, if they support you with 10 bucks each for your cd, then you should have some type of revenue to spend on your business. I would press up as many cd's as possible so that you have product that can be turned into revenue. The product should be marketed in the immeidate 100 mile radius of where you lay your head. 100 miles around your home city, and eveyone from dj's to fans should know about you. You have to network, collab and connect with all the people in your area that are doing something. That is a way of gaining more fans.
So to touch on part two, build a packaged product and flood your immediate 100 mile market of music industry resources and fans.
That was step two.
So now you have an established music business, that has a bank account, a biz license, a website, a product that can be purchased, and an outlet to update your fans and prospective label. You have created buzz by running a marathon in your area of networks, and collabs, so you are known in your region. To everyone, radio, managers, other artists and fans, you are represented and can prove your working by having product in places where they can see it. Or they have a press kit of your material at some point in time. You want to select a track that is phenomenal and push it as your #1 single. Get feedback from radio dj's and club dj's, go to the clubs and hand out free stuff, promo materials and all. If you have revenue at all, or the money to spend, this is where you invest in yourself and hire a booking agent. You don't need a manager yet, because you aren't making enough to give up your 20% of what you make. All money you do make should be spent on your business (It's like a hooptie you wanna cherry out into a show car). This takes great discipline. <-- very important. A booking agent should be able to book you for shows for some money minus their cut for booking the show for you. They will need a press kit also, in order to book you.
So in part 3 you want to pick a 3 single, alert radio, fans, and booking agents, music labels, execs about your new single and how you are looking to build a fan base with performances and market visits, like doing a radio, magazine, or internet TV interview.
This is Part 3
This is a lot so let me know when you are ready for more...
thx J. Grimm
you favorite manager's favorite manager
----------------- Original Message -----------------
From: *****
To: Got Manager? ~ J. Grimm [email protected]
Date: May 27, 2009 4:29 PM
Subject: your job
hopefully you have a couple minutes to answer a question for me. basically im looking to take my music to the next level what steps would an artist have to go through before doing shows and finding management. also how does getting a manager go? do they come to your or are you supposed to go to them.
thanks in advance
Grimm
www.myspace.com/gotmanager
hopefully you have a couple minutes to answer a question for me. basically im looking to take my music to the next level what steps would an artist have to go through before doing shows and finding management. also how does getting a manager go? do they come to your or are you supposed to go to them.
thanks in advance
after most artists finish their music/albums they have it mixed and mastered, if you have done this then you are ahead of the game. Once mixed and mastered you want to complete your business license, biz bank account, and have a biz card, and website other than that of myspace. All of the above creates the foundation for your "Music Business". You have an established entity that can accept and perform real business in the eyes of your peers, major labels, djs, radio stations and more.
That would be step one in my opinion.
So after you have a foundation and a brand which is part of all above mentioned, you need to plant the seeds and grow a fan base. The best way to do so is start with friends and family, if they support you with 10 bucks each for your cd, then you should have some type of revenue to spend on your business. I would press up as many cd's as possible so that you have product that can be turned into revenue. The product should be marketed in the immeidate 100 mile radius of where you lay your head. 100 miles around your home city, and eveyone from dj's to fans should know about you. You have to network, collab and connect with all the people in your area that are doing something. That is a way of gaining more fans.
So to touch on part two, build a packaged product and flood your immediate 100 mile market of music industry resources and fans.
That was step two.
So now you have an established music business, that has a bank account, a biz license, a website, a product that can be purchased, and an outlet to update your fans and prospective label. You have created buzz by running a marathon in your area of networks, and collabs, so you are known in your region. To everyone, radio, managers, other artists and fans, you are represented and can prove your working by having product in places where they can see it. Or they have a press kit of your material at some point in time. You want to select a track that is phenomenal and push it as your #1 single. Get feedback from radio dj's and club dj's, go to the clubs and hand out free stuff, promo materials and all. If you have revenue at all, or the money to spend, this is where you invest in yourself and hire a booking agent. You don't need a manager yet, because you aren't making enough to give up your 20% of what you make. All money you do make should be spent on your business (It's like a hooptie you wanna cherry out into a show car). This takes great discipline. <-- very important. A booking agent should be able to book you for shows for some money minus their cut for booking the show for you. They will need a press kit also, in order to book you.
So in part 3 you want to pick a 3 single, alert radio, fans, and booking agents, music labels, execs about your new single and how you are looking to build a fan base with performances and market visits, like doing a radio, magazine, or internet TV interview.
This is Part 3
This is a lot so let me know when you are ready for more...
thx J. Grimm
you favorite manager's favorite manager
----------------- Original Message -----------------
From: *****
To: Got Manager? ~ J. Grimm [email protected]
Date: May 27, 2009 4:29 PM
Subject: your job
hopefully you have a couple minutes to answer a question for me. basically im looking to take my music to the next level what steps would an artist have to go through before doing shows and finding management. also how does getting a manager go? do they come to your or are you supposed to go to them.
thanks in advance
