How to Effectively Manage a Band

A great band is nothing without a manager who has his act together. If you follow these steps, you will be on the road to bigger and better things.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Make it clear to the band that you are working for them and that everyone gets an equal say. This squashes any ideas of you controlling anyone or anything.

2. Set semi-regular "state of the band" meetings, whether after practice or before shows or some other time. This keeps everyone in the loop. If it isn't possible for everyone to get together, set up an email list so everyone can be in on decisions.

3. Set up a spreadsheet with all club contacts, bookers, promotions people and assorted band helpers. This makes your job simpler when people need to be contacted.

4. Try not to book a show in your town more than two times in a month, and spread out far enough so that there are at least 2 weeks before and after each show. This keeps people coming to shows and doesn't deplete your draw.

5. Go to shows with your band members. When people know who you are, they are more willing to play shows with you and you might find a great contact for almost anything. The local scene in your area is always valuable to be involved in.

6. Add your band to every social networking site you can find. This is crucial to finding new fans.

7. Take as many pictures as possible at each show and post them on the social networking sites.

8. Recruit fans to be your Street Team! They help spread the word and work for free (usually for stickers, shirts and free admission to shows).

9. Find a graphic artist to create you an interesting eye catching logo. Art schools are good places to find people who will work for very cheap. They can also can do fliers for your shows to post all over town and the Internet.

Tips & Warnings

• Be patient with growing your band.
• It is better to have 3 songs that are recorded well than 9 songs that sound like they were recorded in someone's bathroom.
• Keep band business to yourself. No one needs to know what goes on inside the band.
• Keep your personal opinions of people to yourself. You meet the same people going up as you do going down.

[dirgeproduction]

on 2/19/2009 Love Hard-Rock music? Please listen to our music at the following:http://www.fanfound.com/artist/?eltimoofdirge

[deadducky]

on 1/20/2009 always played in bands but recently stumbled on a possible oppertunity to manage a band. any additional tips to help me get started would be great. I am looking into everything and want to have a good proposal before i approach a band. please e-mail me at [e-mail]

[Mozingo]

on 7/24/2008 Good advice, all of it. I believe this will help me on my way. I've been a musician for a long time now, but never had to manage a friends band. So this was a good start, THANKS ALOT. Stephen Mozingo