So your music has been getting more attention lately. The shows you have been playing are now semi-full and people besides your friends are telling you your music is good. Marketing yourself is easier then ever but that still doesn't mean building a team of people who can help should be a thing of the past. Here are some jobs the people fill in order for you to achieve world wide success. Keep in mind in that people can suck at their jobs so get referrals and ask around before committing.
Manager
What they do: First rule of thumb is don't expect managers to get you gigs. Managers are often best used when you have so much work that you need someone to organize, allocate and figure out your best options. Managers should not only be trust worthy but be able to provide you with advice and facilitate a game plan. They are your right hand man who take care of business.
Booking Agent
What they do: It usually makes more sense to get a booking agent first rather then a manager. Their job is to get you live performances and will often work with either you or a manager to plan tours. Booking agents especially high profile ones are selective. Start gigging on your own and you may attract good ones if you build a following. You can also try working with lower-tier agents when you are starting out. Negotiate a commission rate and get them to work.
PR Firms
What they do: PR firms can be one person or a group of people. Their job is promotion. They should be helping you get reviews, interviews, blurbs as well helping you expand your internet presence. A lot of fly by night have popped up in recent years so be careful. It's always good to check out their roster and then google the bands to see what kind of presence they have. They usually have a flat rate and don't work on commission. They may also help with boosting your internet presence on social media sites like Reddit and Facebook.
Conclusion:
The truth is that building a team takes trial and error and not one formula always works. If you are getting more popular as an artist there will be a point where you will have to build a team. Artists who are just starting out can also benefit from working with the right team - just do some research before hiring someone and don't forget quailty music is always the most important element in the equation.
Manager
What they do: First rule of thumb is don't expect managers to get you gigs. Managers are often best used when you have so much work that you need someone to organize, allocate and figure out your best options. Managers should not only be trust worthy but be able to provide you with advice and facilitate a game plan. They are your right hand man who take care of business.
Booking Agent
What they do: It usually makes more sense to get a booking agent first rather then a manager. Their job is to get you live performances and will often work with either you or a manager to plan tours. Booking agents especially high profile ones are selective. Start gigging on your own and you may attract good ones if you build a following. You can also try working with lower-tier agents when you are starting out. Negotiate a commission rate and get them to work.
PR Firms
What they do: PR firms can be one person or a group of people. Their job is promotion. They should be helping you get reviews, interviews, blurbs as well helping you expand your internet presence. A lot of fly by night have popped up in recent years so be careful. It's always good to check out their roster and then google the bands to see what kind of presence they have. They usually have a flat rate and don't work on commission. They may also help with boosting your internet presence on social media sites like Reddit and Facebook.
Conclusion:
The truth is that building a team takes trial and error and not one formula always works. If you are getting more popular as an artist there will be a point where you will have to build a team. Artists who are just starting out can also benefit from working with the right team - just do some research before hiring someone and don't forget quailty music is always the most important element in the equation.