Artist Management Consutant vs. Artist Management

Do you feel you need an artist manager? Is this the time to be sacrificing up to 20% of your revenue to have a manager, which may or may not deliver on the promises most managers make to get your percentages?

In today’s ever-changing DYI music industry, managers are being quickly phased out. Although traditionally, artists were advised never to tackle self-management, we find with the growing demand for digital internet-based marketing, managers lack the knowledge to innovate with these trends, and artists are being left behind.

This where management consultation comes in. Consultants work with the artist, exploring marketing strategies, press kits, and career goals which the artist can implement themselves. Artist management consultation services offer the technical knowledge, the business experience and the ability to educate the artist to do all these management duties. In essence, if the artist is keeping their product in the online community, a consultant would be an affordable approach with many of the same results, or better.

Artists know their product better than anyone else, so why wouldn’t an artist be the authority to manage their own career. Learning from a consultant can be a very rewarding experience, as the artist learns what it takes to sell a product, and how to reach a broader target audience.

So what is the job responsibilities of an Artist Management Consultant?

Generally, a consultant is there to educate and be the devil’s advocate pointing out the potential risks present with an artist choosing to administer their own management duties. A consultant would review press kits, review marketing campaigns and make suggestions for avenues to travel which the artist may not have considered. A consultant would assemble venue recommendations for the artist to shop their project for possible bookings. The consultant would also share their contacts with licensing, publishing, radio, and legal, if applicable.

But, how much would a consulting service cost? Surely, a consultant would not work for free.

Normally, an artist consultant would be put on a small retainer, and charge an hourly wage for their services. However, some projects can be billed by assignment. For example, a set fee to set up a social media marketing campaign, or assembling of an EPK.

Before heading into any arrangement with a manager or a consultant, any signed documents should be reviewed with an attorney specializing in the entertainment industry. However, due to the limited control and influence a consultant has, the artist’s instincts should always be used. After all, it is ultimately the artist’s decision to use the advice given to them by the consultant. As an artist, you should always ask the two key questions, what are the potential advantages of following the advice, and what are the potential risks following this advice?

Evolution Music Press offers artist management consultation, please contact us for a free assessment of your project and your goals.

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