Band managers help bands make financial decisions and set their touring schedules, among other tasks. Read on to learn more about the job duties and responsibilities of these music industry professionals.
Career Overview
Also known as personal managers, band managers promote a band's career by helping its members make business and creative decisions. Many times, a band manager gets this position because he or she is a close friend of the band. However, after gaining experience at the local level, you could move on to work for a management company or record label.
To be a successful band manager, you should be able to be both a confidante and critic of the band. But above all, you should be trustworthy and ethical, because the band members you're representing are trusting you with their careers. You will also need to be prepared to work long hours and endure aggressive negotiations to get your band the publicity or financial compensation it deserves.
Your job duties could focus on short-term goals, like scheduling a gig, to long-term ones, like landing a record deal with a major label. Some of these responsibilities are outlined below.
<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutBandManagement">Important Facts About Band Management</h3><p></p><table border="1"><tr><td> Required Education </td><td> None, though bachelor's degree and certificate programs are available in fields like music management and artist management</td></tr>
<tr><td> Key Skills </td><td> Creativity, persuasive, and communication skills</td></tr>
<tr><td> Similar Occupations </td><td> Public Relations/Fundraising Manager, Financial Manager, Advertising Sales Agent</td></tr>
<tr><td> Work Environment</td><td> Offices, on-site at gigs, touring, promotional events</td></tr>
</table><h3 id="section---Scheduling">Scheduling</h3><p>As the band manager, you may be responsible for getting band members to practice sessions, recording studios, or music venues in a timely manner. It could also be your job to make sure that each member is aware of his or her responsibilities, such as caring for or setting up equipment in time for a performance. You might also work with any booking or touring agents to create a tour schedule.
</p><h3 id="section---BandPromotion">Band Promotion</h3><p>As a manager, you're the equivalent of a band's biggest fan. You're responsible for promoting the band's music and image. In some cases, this could entail finding backers to provide financial support. You might also pitch the band's music to media or advertising companies in an attempt to expose the band's music to as many people as possible. In some cases, band managers are responsible for promoting bands to record labels.
</p><h3 id="section---OtherDuties">Other Duties</h3><p>As the needs of a band grow, you may be tasked with finding the right accountants, touring agents, or lawyers to handle business needs or negotiate contracts with record labels, radio stations, and concert promoters. As the band manager, you may also need to solve disputes within the band or fend off negative publicity.
</p><h3 id="section---SalaryInfoAndJobOutlook">Salary Info and Job Outlook</h3><p>According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, <i>www.bls.gov</i>), the median annual salary earned by agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes was $78,410 as of May 2021. The employment of such managers is expected to grow by 14% between 2021 and 2031, per the BLS.</p>
