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The Daily Insight

Who do artist managers work with

Author

Lucas Hayes

Updated on April 08, 2026

An artist manager is the professional representative and advisor for a musician or band. Managers help build an artist’s career and get their client’s music in the hands of producers and label executives, as well as negotiating contracts and setting up tours.

Who do music managers work with?

Either way, you have to co-ordinate all aspects of the project, work with individuals and organisations such as event promoters, publicity agents and talent-booking agencies – as well as the artists and record labels you represent.

Do artists have agents or managers?

California law defines a “talent agent” as “a person or corporation who engages in the occupation of procuring, offering, promising, or attempting to procure employment or engagements for an artist or artists.” … Basically, it means that an agent is the only person who can seek out employment opportunities for artists.

What is expected of an artist manager?

Artist managers are responsible for collecting revenues, fees or other payments stipulated in contracts. They hold auditions and interviews to discover potential clients, communicate with artists to develop marketing plans or tour goals for their music career and to recommend and implement actions to achieve them.

What do you need to manage an artist?

  1. Assess talent to find artists who have potential.
  2. Negotiate deals and contracts.
  3. Draft business plans.
  4. Coordinate marketing and advertising.
  5. Book and develop strategies for tours.
  6. Manage budgets and cash flow.
  7. Support the artist’s creative vision.

How does an artist manager get paid?

While there is no set typical payment or commission rate for a manager, most managers earn anywhere from 10-25% of the artist’s total income, typically the rate is between 15-20%. … A manager typically takes their commission from the “gross” income as that is amount is larger than the “net” income.

How do singers get managers?

One way you can go about finding a manager is by advertising yourself on music forums or in relevant magazines. Forums are often filled with music fanatics and people who already work within the industry. If you have the talent and can give people a reason to want to work with you, you are sure to get some interest.

Why does an artist need a manager?

An artist manager handles the day-to-day business affairs so you can focus on being a musician. Managers do a lot of things, all of which aim to create opportunities for you. They come up with a strategy to steer you in the right direction. … Introduce artists to industry people who may help in boosting their career.

What does a good artist manager do?

An artist manager is the professional representative and advisor for a musician or band. Managers help build an artist’s career and get their client’s music in the hands of producers and label executives, as well as negotiating contracts and setting up tours.

How many managers does an artist have?

An artist may need three different managers for specific job roles through their career, viz., Artist / Talent Manager, Tour Manager and Business Manager.

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Do independent artists have managers?

Management. While most independent artists do not consider a manager to be important, it’s a vital part of your development. An effective manager essentially allows you to concentrate on creating quality music while they deal with the rest of the process.

Do all actors have managers?

There are two types of representation for actors: an agent and a manager. Some actors have only an agent, some a manager, and some both. … They use their eye for talent and their resources to get an actor into an audition and secure a job as well as negotiating contracts.

How can I be a manager?

  1. Get to know your employees and what they want. …
  2. Communicate. …
  3. Listen to your employees as much as possible. …
  4. Be a motivator. …
  5. Be a leader, not just a manager. …
  6. Improve yourself. …
  7. Acknowledge success. …
  8. Be human.

What do Producer managers do?

A producer manager, like an artist manager, handles day-to-day supervision of business activities and plans long-term career goals for the client, usually in conjunction with a team of professionals like an accountant, publisher, lawyer and so on.

What is an artist management contract?

Artist management contracts are used by an artist manager, or other authorized representative, that intends to manage, or help, an artist’s career. Some of the artist management contracts in this section are used by a manager to contract with third parties in furtherance of the artist’s career.

How do I hire a music manager?

  1. Do: Know What You’re Looking For. …
  2. Do: Ask Other Bands for Recommendations. …
  3. Don’t: Email Your Favorite Band’s Manager. …
  4. Do: Look for Someone You Feel Comfortable With. …
  5. Do: Get in Touch With the Manager’s Other Clients. …
  6. Do: Decide Where You Will and Won’t Compromise.

How do I find a manager for acting?

Talk to your actor friends, teachers, and the rest of your network about potential options for an agent or agency, and use the Internet to find local SAG-AFTRA agents. You should understand which agents and agencies are right for your specific type of acting so that you’re making connections with the right people.

Who does Oliver El Khatib manage?

Everything We Know About Drake’s Manager Oliver El-Khatib.

What is a music managers job?

What Does a Music Manager Do? In the case of many singers and bands, a music manager is responsible for all aspects of the artist’s career apart from the actual writing, recording, and performance of music. This includes tasks in all realms of the music industry, including: Managing live venue performances.

Who is the best music manager?

  • Jon Landau. Dan French. …
  • Kit Lambert. Dogwoof. …
  • Andrew Loog Oldham. art/research. …
  • Tony DeFries. Gaynelle. …
  • Albert Grossman. Sam Hamad. …
  • Don Arden. tedblight. …
  • Brian Epstein. Sola174. …
  • Robert Stigwood. Studio 10.

How much does a manager cost?

Annual SalaryHourly WageTop Earners$58,000$2875th Percentile$45,500$22Average$41,956$2025th Percentile$27,500$13

How much do managers take?

That means that your manager takes a percentage of the income you generated. The percentage they receive is negotiable—but first, you should understand the usual payment amount for managers. The norm is around 15%, although some artist representatives want 20%, particularly in the case of a new artist.

Who are the three major labels?

  • Universal Music Group.
  • Sony Music.
  • Warner Music Group.

Do artist managers get publishing?

ARTIST MANAGEMENT GETS PAID WHEN THE ARTIST GETS PAID. This means, the artist manager doesn’t earn a commission on royalties until the artist has recouped. But it ALSO means, the artist manager gets a commission on any advances paid by the label (or publisher, or agent, or anyone else).

Should an artist have a manager?

They want to know that the person they’re signing a contract with is fully aware of what they’re agreeing to. That’s what a manager does. They help advise an artist on how to get the best in any deals on offer, and avoid terrible ones that aren’t in your best interest (see here for some examples of those.

Does a producer need a manager?

“Essentially, if a producer has gotten to the point where they are so focused on the artists they’re working with that other projects are getting away from them, they need a manager,” Gibbs says. “There’s a lot to be said for producers taking care of themselves, so they know the logistics of the business.

Who does an artist need on their team?

  • Music Manager. Your manager should be your right hand, bad cop, firm-whilst-easygoing negotiator, and tough-love-giving parent set to guide you through the musical-career waters that are now your life. …
  • Live Agent. …
  • Publicist. …
  • Radio Promotion Company. …
  • Music Publisher. …
  • Lawyer. …
  • Distributor.

How do you manage an unsigned artist?

  1. You don’t need a label.
  2. Build relationships with fans, not record label people.
  3. Stop wasting your time on outdated advice. You have more control than you think. Focus your efforts intelligently. Steal from the best.

How do you manage a rap artist?

  1. Have Respect & Communicate.
  2. Set Expectations. How To Set Expectations.
  3. Always Add Value.
  4. Have Goals, Make Plans.
  5. Overall.

Do actors have to pay their managers?

Managers earn a 15 percent commission of all bookings. That means in addition to paying 10 percent of your acting income to your commercial or theatrical agent, you are also required to pay 15 percent to your manager.

What do agents do for actors?

A talent agents finds jobs for the actors (or authors, athletes, musicians, models, etc.) they represent. More specifically, acting agents submit their clients for auditions, pitch them for roles, follow up on submissions and auditions, negotiate better pay and contracts, and renegotiate existing contracts.