5 ESSENTIAL QUALITIES TO LOOK OUT FOR IN A MANAGER

Your manager is your representation to the outside world. He will negotiate your contracts and speak for you in business meetings. So you definitely don’t want a wishy-washy person that you cant trust. Here are five very important qualities to watch out for.

1.       TENACITY AND RELIABILITY. You need a manager who knows how to follow through and is prepared to stick with you.  It usually takes a while before an artiste becomes “a superstar." You need someone you can rely on to have your back when things are not going as planned. Someone you can trust with your welfare and your money. You need someone who won't quit on you just because you’re not making millions in a year! Someone who knows that you may hear a few "no's" before you things start getting rosy. Don't be afraid to ask any prospective management company to prove they have these qualities by giving references or interviewing them yourself! Don’t be intimidated, so arm yourself with information before you attend any meeting with a prospective manager.

2.       RELEVANT EXPERIENCE. What success has the manager had managing others? At the end of the day, the music business is a business, and your artist manager needs to be able to deal with people and sell your product. You have to be very careful about working with one who has limited experience in the music industry. Your manager should have experience as an entrepreneur within the music and entertainment industry.

3.       CONNECTIONS:  you need a manger that is connected with the relevant people in the industry. A good manager should have a good relationship with label reps, producers, DJs, broadcasters, promoters, etc…

4.       A PEOPLE PERSON:  You need a manager who is good with people, someone who naturally commands respect and can get people to listen to what he/she is saying. You need a manager who has integrity, whose words can be trusted. You want a manager who can tell you when things are good and tell you when things are bad, while keeping your professional interests in perspective. Your manager stands right off the center of your music. They should help push you and your goals in the right direction at all times.

5.       BUSINESS ORIENTATION:  your manager should be someone who will treat your music career as a business. Watch out for his attitude towards your music. Everything must be handled with precision and seriousness. You definitely don’t want someone who handles your business casually.

LAST WORD:  Don’t be too quick to jump at any management offer from anyone. Take the time to look into management contract before you sign on. Your success as an artiste depends on building a team of qualified, hard-working and trusted people around you.