If you decide to embark on the career of Artist Manager, you have one very critical decision to make - Do you want to be a manager or do you want to be an artist? In order to be a successful manager, you cannot also be on stage with your artist. It is your job to make sure that everything that is going on before, during, and after the show runs as smooth as possible for your artist.
One: Understand what your job is.
You must understand that your job is out of the limelight. You cannot successfully manage your artist's comfort if you are on stafe performing with them. Your job will be to make sure that the dressing/changing area is soothing to your artist, and that any and all items needed to relax the artist before and after the show are in place. You will need to make sure that the sound system has been checked out and working properly, that any and all stsge props and backdrops are in place and working properly, and that all lighting effects are in place and working properly. If a DJ is being used to play the tracks to which your artist will be performing, you need to go over the schedule of songs and the timing with the DJ if they are not your regular DJ. If there is a band that will accompany your artist, you need to go over the schedule of songs and the timing with the band to make sure that the performance goes off without a hitch.
Two: Make yourself known to venue owners.
In order for you to be able to make sure your artist(s) are stress free during an event, you need to establish a relationship with the owners of the venues where the event will take place. You need to establish yourself as the artist's manager, and that you are only concerned about your artist's comfort while at their venue not to make others uncomfortable. Remember, for the venue owner, this should be a money making event, and you have to be able to assure them that you nor your artist will interfere with the venue's ability to make money. You also must demonstrate that you have the ability to handle your artist without it becoming a production while at the venue. You should have a professionally put together Event Kit that includes a professionally written bio on yourself and your artist(s), a professional head shot of yourself and your artist(s), and letters of reference from other venue owners and your artist's record label(if signed to one). Contact the venue owner(s) and set up a meeting with them to introduce yourself, and present your Event Kit.
Three: Make yourself known to other artist management companies.
I know this sounds like a conflict of interest, but in most cases there will be artists from other Management Companies on the event ticket with your artist and in order to prevent any conflicts at the event it is best to know the management for the other artist(s). You want to know who the other artists and managers are that will be in the backstage/dressing area with your artist(s); mainly for security reasons but also to build an amicable relationship in case you end up on multiple tickets together or a national tour. You also want to make sure that any props that you have will not interfere with the other artists performance and vice versa. You want to be able to successfully coordinate time with your artist(s) and the media and fans, and not step on the toes of the toes of the other artists that are on the ticket since you don't know when you will be appearing on the same ticket again. These relationships are important since you don't want your artist(s) or yourself developing a reputation as difficult to get along with, and thus limiting the number of people who are willing to work with you.
Note: As the manager, you may also have to assist with managing the others your artist has on payroll such as a Publicist, a Stylist, and a road manager if you are not always available to travel with your artist(s).
These are just the beginning steps to being a Manager, and as the industry and your artist(s) evolve so too will your job functions.
As always, I'm available for one-on-one and group sessions which go into more depth on the roles and responsibilities of a Manager.
Until Next Time, work on getting your Event Kits professionally done,
G
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