How to Become a Successful Band Manager

Promote their vision.

A band manager focuses more on managing than the music. This type of career is all about running a complex business that is also a band. It has just as many responsibilities as running any other business. That can mean quick burnout without certain education. Learn the insides of the job to help make you and your band successful, locally or maybe someday worldwide.

Things You'll Need

• At least an associate's degree in business management or finance
• Office supplies, such as computer and Internet
• Contract, written with help of a lawyer
• Press kit
• Website or MySpace page
• Computer graphics program
• Other promotional material (fliers, posters, etc.)

Instructions

Get it Together

1. Plan to obtain a degree in business management or business finance at either a university or community college. The more you know, the better. A band manager will be dealing with complex business and financial issues that can make or break a career.

2. Look for jobs that give you experience in networking, communications, sales and marketing. You’ll have to apply these skills once you become a band manager.

3. Save up several thousand dollars in capital to get started, though it doesn’t take a fortune to acquire equipment for band management careers. Mainly, you’ll need typical office equipment such as a computer, Internet access, a printer and basic knowledge of designing a website. A cell phone is mandatory, since you’ll be talking on it regularly. Also buy mailing envelopes; snail mail is still important in this job. Your office will be where the band is and where it wants to go.

Finding a Band

1. Scout out a band that you want to manage by reading notice boards at local music shops or going to see a band play at a local bar or performing facility.

2. Study the band’s performances before asking them if they need a band manager. Take notes on what works, what doesn’t, and how you can possibly market them. Meet with the band face to face after the show and present a business card offering your management services.

3. Create a contract with the band. Take it to a lawyer to have the legalese made clear. Both you and your band should be with the lawyer when the contract is finalized and signed, so there’s a complete understanding of what each party will get financially. In general, most managers take 10 percent to 12 percent of all band earnings.

Promotion, Booking & Organizing

1. Design a press kit with any simple graphic program. Put a press release in the kit, which is basically a rundown description of the band and what it's been doing, contact info for gigs and its website address. Include a CD in the kit if you have one as well as band photos.

2. Set up a website for your band. This doesn’t have to be anything more complicated than a MySpace page. In fact, a MySpace page is the best way to consolidate promotion and for fans to make comments in one place. If your band gets more famous later, you can hire a professional website design team to create an elaborate site.

3. Use any computer program that helps you set up a chart of venues your band has already played and wants to play. Visit the venues in person and give or mail management your press kit. These could be seedy nightclubs or something more prestigious such as concert halls. Send the band's press kit to every local publication in every city it visits, well in advance of the appearance and try to set up interviews along the way. Make a few fans among the press pool, and try at least to get listed in every papers' events listing sections.

4. Understand the difference between venues and how they pay their bands. Nightclubs usually have fixed schedules; for instance, a band might play on a long-term contract and typically on Friday and Saturday nights. Bigger venues may have a set fee they pay for one night. The type of music your band plays may greatly affect what venues they play.

5. Ensure your band and each venue are on the same page about what’s provided at the concert and how much will be paid. Determine whether the venue will provide a sound system, or if your band has to bring one. Know when your band is expected to be at the venue and when they have to leave.

Making Yourself a Better Band Manager

1. Keep promoting your band after you’ve developed a small following. Update the MySpace page regularly and contact local media to get your band on local TV shows, on the radio or reviewed in the local newspaper. Continue doing promotions in person by leaving fliers at venues and posters on bulletin boards.

2. Attend every performance of your band so you can see what they’re doing right or wrong. The more you attend, the more you can gauge how to improve and what to keep doing, so you get the best audience response.

3. Stay on top of all expenses so there won’t be discrepancies. Otherwise, possible arguments could brew with your band over money owed. You don't want to get fired. It’s best to use Excel or any other financial program to keep an accurate tab on expenses while on the road.

Tips & Warnings

• Work your way up to managing professional bands so you can get promotional experience slowly. For instance, small cover bands or a single musician might only play weddings and small, private gigs that require much less promotional effort. However, this gives a new band manager some experience in promotion without being overwhelmed.

• Always pick a band that plays music you like. Don’t manage a rock band if you hate listening to it. Good promotion equals believing in what you’re promoting.

• Keep the gigs coming for your band, or you run the risk of having too many lulls and not getting paid enough to meet expenses.

References

• The Dabbling Mum: Become a Band Manager
• Indie Band Advice: What Should I do to Become a Band Manager?