Nowadays, independent musicians have a lot of responsibilities. Apart from creating great music, artists often have to worry about distribution factors such as publishing, cover art, marketing themselves, and managing their music.
The easiest way to relieve yourself of multiple responsibilities, and get back to focusing on the art of creating is to work with a music manager or independent company or service. iSpyTunes is a marketing and management company that specializes in working with independent artists. Our team's knowledge in paid advertising and our extended network of playlists make us a viable and inexpensive offer for both music marketing and music management. Let's review some FAQ and vital information when deciding to take on management assistance for your music.
What does an artist management team usually consist of?
The artist management team can consist of publishers, promotion companies and booking agents. The artist manager is on the front lines, acting as the major supervisor of a whole team.
For independent artists, the artist manager will most likely outsource the responsibility of important tasks to reliable music industry outlets and/or music marketing companies. As a company, iSpyTunes has the benefit of experience with both marketing and management responsibilities for independent artists we help break into the music industry.
Why does having Management matter?
It takes a lot of work to create songs, but after it goes live, what is needed next to ensure people can actually hear the music itself? I have heard artists talk about how songs just pop up on their own, or being asked to play live shows by venues in different countries, how music charts on Spotify without metadata... and so on. A manager knows the intricate detail and mechanisms required by the artist to be successful in the music business. Management can go above and beyond the usual efforts for acquiring the artist a sponsorship agreement, appearances, meet & greets, interviews and ensuring that the artist stays on the schedule. Other responsibilities may include managing social media (i.e. content creation), tour dates and bookings, website traffic or fan communication, and more. Experience in the music business will only increases the effectiveness of the artist manager.
As a musician, it's important to have good music managers in your corner. They can help you book gigs, promote your work, and manage your finances. But arguably more important, they can offer advice and guidance when it comes to your career. A good manager will have your best interests at heart and will be able to help you make decisions about your future.
Management can also assist you with creating a brand surrounding your music, which many independent artists ignore altogether. To learn more about creating a music brand for yourself, click here.
Lastly, they'll also be able to provide valuable industry connections that can help you further your career. In short, a good manager is an essential asset for any musician who wants to achieve success. Freeing up more time focus on the things you are best at, music, can also help to avoid burnout for those trying to make it in the music industry. So if you're serious about your music career, we recommend to make sure you find a good team or specialist to help you along the way.
What are the risks when taking on management for your music?
In any industry, there are always risks associated with any new venture. The music industry is no different. In fact, some would say that the risks needed to be taken in the music industry are even higher than in other industries. After all, a successful musician has to not only be talented, but also lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time. Although, it is definitely possible to achieve success by playing it safe, but those who take leaps of faith and risk are more likely to make the biggest impact. In order to make it in the music industry, you have to be willing to take risks and put yourself out there. Only then will you have a chance of achieving your dreams. However, it is equally important to sign management companies at the right time, as if you music is not at the level of quality that is needed for success in the music industry, the venture may not be as valuable as possible. Clearly, it is important to maximize such an important investment.
It is very important to find the right fit when locating management experience. Whether that may be the revenue agreement, as some music management companies may take 20%-30% of royalties, while others may take flat fees and/or hourly rates. The amount you are willing to spend can greatly impact the risk of success for a big move of bringing help onboard.
Lastly, to mention the topic of independence. Indie artists often tell me about how they want to remain true to themselves and work on their own. However, assistance with your art does not mean you are not actively involved in the process.
Take this as an example.
Management can play a vital role with things like trying to make a person appear like they are new or have suddenly boomed overnight. Although often having a bad reputation as an "industry plant", the process of social proof is commonplace in the music industry. Social proof and strong social media work is essential in convincing the general public to listen to your music for the first time.
Another facet of social proofing your music involves collaborating with other artists. Many new artists team up with other big musicians to stream and cross-promote their music to a larger audience. This allows artists to target the audience of the artists that they target according to their music. A management company can greatly help with the success of this type of idea. There are plenty of other ideas that management may bring to the table on a case-to-case basis, and each should be evaluated by the artist, rather than blindly agreeing with the experts. This last factor should limit the amount of risk when working with management companies.
Is music management profitable for an artist?
Yes. As a musician, artist management can definitely be profitable in both the short-term and the long-term if you fight the right match for your catalogue. In fact, when done right and thoughtfully, hiring a music manager can be one of the best investments you can make. As mentioned, a good music manager will help you navigate the music business, connect you with industry professionals, and promote your music through social media and other channels. All in all, a music manager will take care of the business side of things so you can focus on making great music. While there are some music artists who are successful without a manager, having one by your side significantly increases your chances of achieving long-term success in the music industry. An artist manager should be equally well-versed in the music business and genuinely interested the artist's career. The end goal should be known, whether that be 1 million monthly listeners or signing a signing to one of many record labels, communicate your goals for your career.
Managers also have the responsibility to develop their own contracting relationships with artists they represent. In terms of revenue splits or flat-fees, that can vary depending on the relationship. When working with a team, usually a flat-fee is required. Working with one individual may only require a 20% cut of royalties, for example. However, these can vary depending on the artist manager. Unlike most record labels, iSpyTunes can offer either an individual manager for small budgets, or the full power of an entire artist management team when needed.
How does an artist actually find a music manager?
While some musicians have the resources to hire a full-time music manager, many others rely on freelancers to handle these tasks. So how does a musician go about finding a music manager?
There are a few different ways to find music managers. One option is to search online directories, such as a Music Managers Forum. These directories list contact information for hundreds of music managers from all over the world. Another option is to attend industry events, such as conferences, festivals, and showcases. These events provide an opportunity to network with music industry professionals, including managers. Finally, many musicians find managers through word-of-mouth recommendations from other artists.
While there are a number of ways to find music managers, it is ultimately up to the artist to decide if they are a good fit for their needs. A good manager or management team will be knowledgeable about the music industry and have a good understanding of the artist's goals. They should also be well-connected and have a strong network of contacts. Most importantly, they should be someone who the artist can trust and who has their best interests at heart. Oh, and a company like iSpyTunes that actively accepts song submissions and artist pitches are always open to discussing how to best serve the musicians of tomorrow. Contact us today!
Should you seek out a music manager, or should you instead wait for a music manager to seek you out?
This question gets asked all the time when discuss how to best promote an artist's new music and catalogue. Let's examine both the pros and the cons.
01. Seeking out a Manager
Positives:
On one hand, seeking out a music manager can be a great way to get your foot in the door. Contacting managers directly can show them that you are proactive and serious about your career. Additionally, it can give you a chance to assess whether or not you are compatible with a particular manager.
Negatives:
When seeking out a manager, you show them your cards. If you do not select them, it may take more time and energy, and be a further burden. Therefore, when looking for managers take your time to review plenty of options, and make that known to them. That way, the management companies or individuals have to treat you as a prize and give you the best offer as soon as possible.
02. Waiting for a Manager to Reach Out
Positives:
Waiting for a manager to come to you can be seen as a sign of confidence. It can also save you time and energy that you can put towards making music.
Negatives:
Waiting for this vital step in an artist's career could prove ineffective if it takes too long, or if only low quality suitors reach out. Taking the first step and reaching out will more often than not guarantee the best result, when done thoughtfully.
Conclusion:
In the end, there is no wrong answer, and the best approach depends on your specific situation. Whether you seek out a manager or wait for one to come to you, remember to do your research and choose someone (or a company) who you feel confident will help you achieve your goals.
Can music managers help with overall artist development?
Management can definitely be a great asset when it comes to artist development. While it is ultimately the artist's responsibility to create and release new music, a manager can provide valuable guidance and support throughout the process. They can offer advice on everything from songwriting to marketing, and they can help to connect artists with the right collaborators. This can often speed the learning curve for new artists when put around good role models or insightful people. Relationships with another artist can also blossom, so that the music business turns more into a valuable friendship.
Managers must focus on your music career across streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, but also blog publishing's and radio deals. It's obviously vital for artists to make sure that their music is available on popular streaming platforms. In addition to increasing exposure, music streams can also generate income. While these payments may seem insignificant, they can add up over time, providing a valuable source of income for independent artists. Additionally, radio play is still one of the most effective ways to reach new listeners, and it can help to build a solid fan base. Radio play can also lead to other opportunities, such as interviews and live performances. This, in turn, can lead to more opportunities for the artist or band, such as record deals or sponsorship deals.
Perhaps most importantly, a good manager will be honest with their artists about their strengths and weaknesses. This candor can often be difficult to hear, but it is essential for helping artists grow and reach their full potential. In short, music managers can play a vital role in artist development, but it is ultimately up to the artist to decide how to use that assistance to better themselves in their career.
There are plenty of music management companies, why should I choose iSpyTunes?
Great question. We are a small music management (and marketing) firm, that gives personal attention to the details. We are always on the search for the best artists in the underground space, and offer more than most other management companies due to our promotion expertise. We can keep most of our efforts in-house and therefore have a better understanding of the overall picture, as well as better access to data relevant to an artist. Talent we work with can be of any genre, but most commonly we work with rappers, pop artists, or electronic producers. Learn more about the methods we use to promote our artists in our other blog post here.
Indie artists today are still able to decide whether they need management. If a business has a budget then it is easy to cut out the middleman of hiring a marketing person. Although new, our service offers some of the best music promotion possible, with modern techniques and tactics! Our company can help advance your career in plenty of ways; such as strategic music promotion, playlisting, social media management and advertising, and radio promotion. As booking agents, we focus on the artist's career from day one. Browse our company site and view various free and paid deals to accelerate your artist or band development. We have been successful in working with over 300 independent artists to showcase their songs.
What we offer:
So are you interested in working with us? For marketing opportunities, simply send us a song to review for free. For management opportunities, reach out to us via email (contact@ispytunes.com) or send us a chat message on our website! We look forward to hearing from all of you!