Not everyone has the resources or the following required to obtain artist management. If you are one of those people, however, you do not have to give up the hope of building a career just because you can’t afford a manager.
Whether or not you need music management depends on your status and reach. Anyone who approaches you to become your manager before you have become a sound investment is just looking to make a buck. Make sure you understand the logistics of management yourself before you depend on someone else to take that role. There are definite advantages to having artist management, but we can quickly think of alternatives for each of them. It ends up making management more of a state of convenience than a necessity. The verdict on this question is simply to learn and weigh the pros and cons, and decide if your unique situation requires management.
The most powerful asset legitimate management teams have in the industry is their network of contacts and connections. This should be the number one ruling factor when making a decision on hiring a particular person or team as your future management strategy. If they don’t have the network you need, don’t bother. As we were speaking of alternatives, the one in this instance is to learn to build your own networks. This can be done, and it should be—whether you are planning on hiring a manager or not. Your connections in the music industry should never be limited to your manager. Your best asset for making a successful living will be the collaborations, associates and friends you make as you build your reputation. After you’ve got a substantial network, you’ll be able to hype your own music a lot easier.
You need unbiased opinions when building a career in music. Your family and friends are always going to be your cheerleaders, and that’s an important factor in growing as an artist. Everyone needs inspiration and encouragement. But yes-men and referees are going to be more reluctant about giving you totally objective critiques that can help you out professionally. This is an easy “pro of having management” to find an alternative to, however. There are plenty of people out there ready to give you a 100% honest opinion of your work, and they’re not afraid to be brutal. You don’t need a manager for this. Just ask anyone who’s willing to be objective and give you their opinion. People love telling you what they really feel. Just be careful and pick someone who doesn’t have a personal grudge. Even managers are human; a lot of them have agendas. You aren’t guaranteed honesty with anyone, so why pay for an opinion when you can get it for free?
Managers help you build a professional image. This is an easy one to get around as well. There are plenty of resources online that will teach you how to build a pro image as a music artist. You can simply look at other artists you are inspired by; what are they doing? Gather resources for design. Learn how to take great photos, hire friends to capture live shows, and learn about how to make your social media accounts match and form a brand image. There are now AI powered website builders, app builders and marketing platforms that automate and put everything you need together for you without taking much time or effort. A management team isn’t necessary for this.
They take over the business side of things. This is a big one. If you have made up your mind to not be bothered with the business end of your career, you’ll definitely want to delegate that out to a manager. There are a ton of artists out there who do not understand, nor are they willing to learn, the marketing, promotion and financial side of becoming successful as a career musician. This is the situation that will demand a manager or team. Is there an alternative to this? Of course there is. It’s the willingness to learn about business. It’s developing a state of mind. You have to be willing to learn new things, keep your mind open, and cultivate an attitude for business. The alternative is literally in your head.
Don’t knock the idea of getting a manager just because it’s possible to make it without one. This article is meant to provide a way for those who cannot afford it, or those who are just starting out, to get ahead and remain competitive without relying on one. Not everyone has the resources or the following required to obtain artist management. If you are one of those people, however, you do not have to give up the hope of building a career just because you can’t afford a manager. You can do this yourself with the right support behind you and DIY education. You need to learn to not be financially taken advantage of. Learn to negotiate. Learn to ask for what you need.
There are plenty of cons when it comes to hiring management, too. They cost a lot, and they won’t always agree with what you want to do with your music (that’s a big deal if you’re a risk taker and actually like the idea of changing things up). They can get controlling and demanding, which psychologically traps anyone lacking an assertive attitude into making music they don’t love anymore. So think about it. Don’t be sucked into the idea that you need management in order to be somebody. There is always another way to do anything.
