Singers, Bands & the Artist Management Team
by Tom Gauger
As singers and bands compete for
the ears of music industry pro's, hoping to become the next greatest pop icon,
mangers and the relationships with their acts have become increasingly
important. With the evolution of technology, the internet and fledgling record
labels, trying to compete for the next money making act, you can be sure that
artist managers have their plates full sifting through myriads of press kits and
demos trying to pick the needle out of the haystack.
With each demo that is sent out, artists wait in anticipation of what might
become their next step in their artist career pathway. Most of the time,
however, the group or singer is met with the, "Thanks for your submission, but
no thanks," letter at the door. What can singers and bands do to increase their
odds of developing a relationship with an artist manager? Good question - Let's
look at some ideas and concepts that you can put to work as you try to move your
career forward.
As a former talent booking agent with the William Morris Agency and as the owner
of www.reelmusician.com, I can tell you that one of the biggest walls that is
built between artist managers and acts is a singer or group that is not
prepared. They want the representation, but not the responsibility and financial
demands that are placed upon them in the initial phase of their careers. They
want someone to hold their hand and make it happen for them before they have
sunk initial investments whether time, money or emotional investments that being
maturity and basic music business knowledge and understanding. With this wall up
you can forget it. There's too much competition out there for a manager to waste
their time - Would you? - Of course not and neither will they. Therefore, you
make it your first priority to be prepared.
How do you prepare yourself or your band you ask? - Great question. Start with
your music. Is your music the same run of the mill sound that's already out
there at countless levels? Does your music or style lend itself to marketing, or
can if be differentiated from scores of others already signed to the majors? Be
honest here. Quite honestly many individuals or acts have copied the sound of
some other act and have not fully matured into developing their own sound.
There's nothing wrong with having musical influences, every act out there will
tell you who has captured their musical hearts, but your sound has got to sound
like you.
What does your press kit look like that you are sending out? Is it self-produced
with fairly good looking pictures, bios, etc, or is it even a step below that?
Your press kit has to shine and grab the attention of your music industry pros
or you can forget it. Consider having your press kits reviewed and re-worked
where necessary. At www.reelmusician.com/reelmusician_010.htm you can find free
helpful press kit strategies and even have our professionals take a look at it.
You're really missing the ball if you don't have not only a professional looking
press kit, but one that is specifically designed to get your act through the
obscure doors of the music industry. What are you doing now that is worthy of
representation? Is it a dream or a real concrete musical idea that will grab the
hearts of your listeners? Your listeners have to fall in love with your music.
All it takes is one individual with a little clout at a record label to fall in
love with your music for them to start talking you up in the halls. And with a
little clout, nobody wants to be on the wrong side of the aisle on any given
project, so therefore, the ball starts to roll. That's how it usually works and
good managers know this.
When you start out looking for a good manager you want to find out as best you
can how authentic, honest and obviously go-getters they are. When you start to
approach managers, understand that they only have so much time and resources. Da
you say. Well put that information into practice. As you approach managers, what
can you do to not only make their lives and jobs easier, but to let them know
that you are not a "taker." Do you know how many individuals, on a regular
basis, who approach ReelMusician.com wanting to be stars, who want us to invest
all of our time and resources without offering anything in return? - Countless.
Don't do that. Offer something to your manager. Offer to help pay for the
phones, press kits, postage, etc on behalf of your act. Now you've got the
attention of the manager. He or she now knows that you are not a taker and are a
serious contender in the music industry campaign. Never thought about that did
you?
When you start to approach managers, your press kits, as previously detailed,
need to exude professionalism. You will want to include a logo that has been
specifically designed for you or your act. This logo should be remember able and
characteristic of the emotional tone you want the act to initially portray and
look like. Put this logo on all of your material including websites, pictures,
bios, CD's, etc. Don't send out press kits without a logo. There is a lot of
software out there to help you with logo creation, but if you need further help
you may contact us tgauger@reelmusician.com or 615-300-5030 and we can help you
with it.
In closing your approaching artist managers with the "We've got a great attitude
and would like to do our part," mentality will go along ways. Make sure that the
demos you are sending out, are worthy to roll down the halls of the record
labels with artist press kits that shine and show detailed experience and
marketing knowledge sure to grab the attention of A&R directors. Do your part
and hopefully one day an artist manager will do theirs on your behalf.
About the Author:
Mr Gauger is a former talent
booking agent with the William Morris Agency and jingle singer singing on many
commercials including FOX TV, UPN TV Station ID's, O'Charley's and many other
jingles and records. Mr Gauger is the owner of www.ReelMusician.com and can be
contacted at tgauger@reelmusician.com or 615-300-5030.
Source of this article:
www.goarticles.com
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