Manage your employees for maximum efficiency


Finding a Manager

A very important person on your successfulfront, or a monthly retainer/salary. If they
team is your manager. Finding a good,do, chances are they are trying to start up
responsible and reputable manager is not antheir own business and don't have the level
easy task. If you don't already have aof  experience  you  need  to  succeed.
manager, you may not need one. Experience
proves, however, that you can only go so farAsking for money up front is also a way of
without one. But how do you obtain a managerstating they do not believe in you enough to
if  you  don't  already  have  one?take a risk. Why would you want to work with
anyone who does not believe in you? And, why
That's a tricky one. While I have a hugeshould they work for you if they are already
list in my book, The Indie Guide To Music,getting paid, whether or not they get work
Marketing and Money, you also need to getfor you? The main point is managers only
references. Once you obtain a list ofmake their money if they make you money.
managers you want to talk to, that are alsoThat should be motivation enough for a
interested in having a meeting with you, andmanager.
here is a partial list of questions you
should ask a manager to find out if they willOnce your package is submitted to a manager,
be  a  good  fit  for  your  musical  career.give them a few weeks to review it before
following up. When you do your own personal
• What style of music do you represent?follow-up, make sure you ask them what they
• How big do you think for yourthought of your press kit. Ask them if
clients? • Do you consider and pursuethey've listened to your CD. Your follow-up
corporate sponsorships, etc.? • Whatcan also provide an excellent opportunity for
territory do you cover? • How are youconstructive criticism on how you can make
paid  -  what  is  your  percentage  rate?the  improvements  your  press  kit  or  CD.
Before you can even question a manager,If both parties (you and they) decide you
you'll probably have to send them a press kitwould like to work with each other, you'll
in order to get your first appointment. Asneed to sign a contract. It is essential that
always, be sure to contact them prior toyou get a lawyer involved at this point. You
sending out packets. Most unsolicited pressshould never sign any contract until you let
kits either end up coming back unopened oran entertainment attorney who has the
are  simply  thrown  away.expertise  you  need  advise  you.
If you find that you decide you want specificThe same rules apply to booking agencies, as
recommendations for management, contact majordo managers. Never sign a contract until you
record labels and ask the staff who they use.have had your lawyer look it over and examine
That will help you determine who you shouldit for any hidden clauses. Once I was given
contact for management. At least then youa contract that actually stated the booking
will be dealing with a manager who alreadyagent would receive 5% on any and all money I
has a working relationship with a major labelearned, in addition to the 15% that the
and who can hopefully get you a contract.booking agent would receive for any venues
Most managers, however, who are associatedthey procured for me. That meant 5% of
with major-labels, will not acceptanything I earned, even if it had nothing to
submissions from anyone other than the recorddo with music would go to them. Protect
labels themselves or high profile industryyourself. Read your contract even before you
contacts.hand  it  off  to  your  attorney for review.
That doesn't mean you shouldn't or can'tFinally, never sign an exclusive contract.
contact the managers the major labelsIf you sign an exclusive contract, you will
recommended and pitch your music anyway.not be able to accept any gigs from outside
Someone may say yes! Most managers will takefirms. It also means you will not be allowed
a percentage rate of any venues or money theyto follow through on any gigs that you
are involved in bringing in for you and yournegotiated yourself or already had in place
band. When selecting a manager make sure youras standing gigs. If you sign an exclusive
contract is very explicit on this point. Youbooking contract you could also wind up with
should never pay your manager for income youa booking agent who may not even negotiate
receive that you developed on your own. Makeany work for you and your band. Then you're
sure you are not locked into a contract thatstuck.
will compensate them for money or gigs they
had  nothing  to do with negotiating for you.There are only a few major booking agencies
that will require you to sign an exclusive
Steer clear of anyone who asks for money upcontract. One is the William Morris Agency.
front or states that they want a percentageTheir names will speak for themselves. You
of any and all money you earn. I have spokencan rest assured that if you sign with on of
with some of the largest mangers andthese agencies your chances are very high for
management firms in the industry who statedgetting work. If an unknown booking agency
this clearly is not reputable or ethicalrequires you to sign an exclusive contract,
behavior for a manager. There are nojust say NO!
legitimate managers who ask for any money up



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