Become A Band Manager

Author: Steff Green

If you love music but can't carry a tune in an industrial-sized bucket, consider managing a band from home. Many musicians come alive on stage but are hopeless at organizing or promoting themselves. Not only do band managers take a cut of any money the band makes, but the work is both fun and exciting.

Band Manager's Role

Managing a band doesn't require you to play an instrument or know anything about music, but you do need to learn how the music industry works. Ask other managers/musicians/club owners in your area to explain the process of booking gigs, payment and band promotion.

To be a successful band manager you need to be tech-savvy, outgoing and an excellent communicator. One of the key roles of a manager is networking―making and keeping contacts in the business that your band can take advantage of to further their career.

A band manager generally:

books gigs at local and out-of-town venues,
keeps track of band information and practice schedules,
takes bookings for the band,
manages the band's website and mailing list,
writes press releases,
organizes interviews and reviewers,
manages the band's social networking sites,
investigates and organizes recording options, and
sources options for merchandise and CD distribution.

Find A Band

The first step is to find a band you want to manage. Start by asking your family and friends for leads. Check the notice boards at your local music shop―bands seeking managers advertise there, then check local music websites and forums. If you have a favorite local band, approach them and offer your services. The worst they could do is say "no thank-you".

Covers bands, string quartets, and Latino groups play weddings and other functions to earn more money. They also require less promotion. If you chose an original band, look for a group that already has a large following or brings something unique to the local scene. Above all, look for a band whose music you love and whose career you can get excited about.

Watch The Band Perform

Once you've found your band, watch them perform live. Note their professionalism and stage presence. Pay attention to the vibe of the crowd. Then make note of the band's strengths and the areas that need improvement by asking yourself questions like:

Does the band draw in their audience?
Can they pull off tight-musicianship while on-stage?
Do they sell merchandise?
Do they chat with their fans after the show?

Meet The Band

Meet with the band to discuss their performance. Explain your role as manager and the steps you will take to improve their performance, draw in a larger crowd, and land more gigs. Discuss the direction of the band and the band's short-term and long-term goals. This is an important step as it will tell you if you both parties on the same page.

Write And Sign A Contract

When working as a band manager it's important to have a signed contract. A contract explains the role of both parties, the obligations of both parties, and specifics like: fees, terms, and contract period. At your first band meeting, discuss what your fee entails and be sure to include the breakdown in the contract. Make sure a lawyer looks over the contract, then have both parties sign the contract―and that means everyone in the band.

Organize The Band

Set up a database of local clubs, bars, and concert halls. Mark the places your band has already played, would like to play, and refuse to play. Once you have the basics written down, make the contact list your own by adding information you've gathered during in-person meetings. Include tracking information about your band's show dates and personal member appointments like your drummer's sister's wedding.

Build An Online Presence

If your band doesn't have a website, design one. It doesn't need to be flashy but it does need to include details about the band members, the style of music they play, a song list (for covers bands), photos, notices of upcoming gigs, music samples, ordering information for CDs and merchandise, testimonies and reviews, and contact details. Add your band's website to local musician directories to increase your exposure.

Create A Press Kit

Put together a press kit that contains a press release, a sample CD, photographs from previous gigs, contact details, and perhaps a band sticker or button.

Book Gigs

Before booking any gigs, discuss how often your band wants to perform, the minimum fee they'll accept for performances and how far they are willing to travel for each gig. Also discuss the type of venues your band wants to perform at: art festivals, music festivals, corporate events, museum/library concerts, church camps, night clubs, and so forth.

Keep in mind that each venue has a different way of paying bands and that every fee should include your cut. Some venues add a cover charge and pay the band from money earned "on the door" while other venues offer a flat fee for the evening or ask you to set the fee.And pay attention to the contract. Many clubs offer short-term contracts that require bands to play every Friday or Saturday night for three months, which means you cannot book long distance gigs until your contract is up.

Confirm Logistics

Make sure you understand the specifics of the contract. Ask if you're expected to provide someone to work on the door. Confirm if the PA equipment will be available or if you'll have to bring your own. Ask if a sound technician will be provided at cost or no cost. Check what time the proprietor expects the band to pack in, set up, sound-check, and get off stage.

Promote The Band's Gig

Once you've booked a gig, update the band's website, social network pages and email list. Contact local media to get a mention in the local paper, on the radio, or in a music newsletter. Add your gig to online and print gig guides. Place flyers at local music stores and cafes bulletin boards.

Become A MySpace Junkie

Social networking sites provide bands with free word-of-mouth advertising and are absolutely essential to your band's success.

If your band doesn't have a MySpace page already, set one up. Link it to their website. Add photographs of the band at their gigs. Encourage your band members to make their own MySpace pages and link them to the main MySpace page. Add friends, moderate comments, and send out bulletins informing fans about upcoming gigs. Or, if someone in the band is already MySpace-addicted, delegate this task to them.

Attend The Gigs

Many bands don't expect their manager to show up to their gigs, but you should go along to a few gigs, especially at first. This is a great way to get a sense of the band's music, assist the band by liaising with the proprietor and sound technician, man the merchandise table and distribute the door takings.

Keep Track Of Expenses

Generally, the manager pays for all promotional material and recoups this expense through their fee. Start-up expenses for a band manager are relatively low. To get started you will need:

a home office complete with desk and chair,
a filing cabinet,
a cellular phone,
a computer,
a printer,
Internet access,
a database,
a band website,
a calendar,
printer paper,
printer ink,
mailing envelopes, and
stamps.

The most important thing to remember is if the band doesn't get paid, you don't get paid. So keep your band busy with regular gigs and functions, and you'll see a nice little income in your back pocket. For the right person, becoming a band manager is a rewarding experience.