Personal Manager Jobs

About This Music Career

The Personal Manager represents one or multiple musical acts by overseeing pretty much every single aspect of an act's career. Any and all business decisions are advised on by the Personal Manager, along with many of the acts' creative decisions as well. With such advice, the Personal Manager is trying to lead the act to the "top," and must know how to direct a musical career if they wish to mange successfully.

The first major move for a Personal Manger is to enter a contract with an act, with the next milestone being finding a record label that is interested in signing the act. Establishing contacts, showcasing the act and shopping demo tapes are all ways for the Personal Manager to spread the word about the musical act they are trying to promote. Once an interested record label wishes to sign the act, the Personal Manager may do the negotiating, or he or she might recommend a music industry attorney negotiate on behalf of the group.

The Personal Manager also seeks out booking agents to locate performance engagements for the act. If the act is just starting out, the manager may book dates themselves. The law, however, prevents this (the Manager acting as the Booking Agent) in a number of states. This is because the manger would be taking a percentage of earnings for managing, while also collecting a percentage of earnings for booking as well.

As mentioned, the Personal Manager is consulted on many different things, and they may be found reviewing recorded songs, choreography, costumes and even backup musicians – choosing musical personnel, producers, engineers, etc. for a recording session. The Personal Manager also advises on who to hire and fire in terms of other personnel as well like public relations firms, publicists, road personnel, producers, musicians, accountants, security, merchandisers and more.

At times, the Personal Manager might have to audit books or even act as a Tour Manager. He or she must be willing to work hard. In addition, to be successful, the Manager to have industry contacts. And, in some situations, the Manager is granted power of attorney in a complete or limited sense. No matter the circumstances, the Personal Manager is almost always given the authority to approve concert dates and venues, monies for concerts, publicity materials, and more.

Due to the nature of the job, the Manager must be available on a day-to-day basis to discuss artist's problems, and meetings between the artist and Manager on a daily basis is common, so they can discuss new ways to advance the artist's career. It is also common for the Manager to personally finance the musical act upfront, in hopes of being paid later once success is found. All of this considered, the Manager's lifestyle is in fact a busy one, but if they are representing an act that finds stardom, they will enjoy the many successes as well; and since they often represent more than one client, they have the opportunity to do quite well financially. Personal Managers may invest in business performance management software to streamline all the processes for all their clients.

Salaries
As mentioned, Personal Managers receive a percentage of the artist's earnings, which varies with the individual and the Manager, and can range from 10% - 50%; the usual amount is 15% to 20% of artist earnings. The percentage can also be tiered, and can increase if the act starts to make more money. For example, in certain situations, the Manager may make 10% of all earnings up to $100,000 and 15% on all monies after that, and so on.

Personal Managers receive these fees off the top, and are received on monies from personal appearances, concerts, television, recording, and more. It is also not uncommon for the manager to also take a percentage of merchandising sold like T-shirts, posters, etc.

A Personal Manager working with a new band may earn the same amount of money as the band members until they get on their feet financially. The Manager may even opt to take 0% until the group starts doing reasonably well. Also, when first starting, the Manager often puts up more money than they are receiving in salary in hopes that money will be recouped later when the band is successful. As with any risk/reward situation, if the act flops, the Manager will incur a loss.

A Personal Manager working with a top recording artist or group can make up to $500,000 plus; Managers often handle.

Employment
Employment prospects are good for Personal Managers. And, as almost anyone can start out as a Personal Manager, they might find success by just locating the right talent to represent. With that said, not ever Personal Manager is a good one, and to be successful, he or she must develop contacts and must be ready to dedicate their lifestyle to guiding the act's career.

Advancement
Thinking about the number of musical acts in the industry who have not yet found major success, there are just as many Personal Managers representing those acts. Even if you find an act from their beginning and guide them to success, many acts will try to get out of their contracts with smaller mangers in order to sign on with better known managers.

Education and Training

To become a Personal Manager, one does not need a formal education. With that said, a college or music school degree is helpful, and there are even current degrees offered in music business and music merchandising. Other useful majors include business, law, communications, marketing, and journalism.

Experience, Skills, and Personality
To become a successful Manager, a broad knowledge of the music industry is very necessary. As mentioned, it is also necessary to develop a wide range of personal contacts, which will allow the Manager to broaden a network of possible assistance. The Manager must be hard-working and will make personal sacrifices for the betterment of the act's career. They should have an eye for raw talent, and must have the patience to work with new musicians as they try to acquire success. The ability to give honest, but positive, constructive advice is a plus.

Unions and Associations
Personal Managers may be members of the National Conference of Personal Managers, which is the organization that sets standards for the conduct of Personal Managers.

Suggestions for Getting Started