How to Become a Music Manager in 2025: A 10-Step Beginner’s Guide

Behind every successful artist is a manager guiding their strategy, opportunities, and long-term growth.

Becoming a music manager means stepping into one of the most dynamic roles in the music business, part mentor, part negotiator, and part business partner.

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to become a music manager, with the essential skills, connections, and step-by-step actions needed to launch a successful management career.

 

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What Is A Music Manager?

A music manager is a professional who oversees an artist’s career, encompassing both business and creative development.

This involves assisting with administrative and legal processes and guiding the artist’s career in the music industry.

Some music managers also build core teams, including lawyers, accountants, and tour managers for established artists.

The manager and this team then work to build relationships with other industry professionals and to implement long-term career strategies.

 

What Does A Music Manager Do?

Music managers play a core role in the industry, supporting some of the biggest independent artists and mainstream pop stars.

They serve as a direct point of contact for the artists they manage, representing their best interests in a variety of ways, including:

• Developing a career strategy: Music managers help artists define their place in the music scene, enabling them to make music that reaches their core audience.
• Negotiating contracts: Managers also leverage industry contacts to secure deals with record labels seeking artists, ensuring the best terms through strong negotiation.
• Managing marketing campaigns: Press releases, social media campaigns, and other marketing strategies are additional roles performed by music managers.
• Handling financial aspects: Budgeting, managing revenue streams and royalties, and financial planning are also necessary when managing artists.

They are also sometimes involved in booking live performances for their artists and using their industry contacts to arrange collaborations.

 

Related read: What is A&R in music?

 

Types Of Music Managers

Different types of music managers play unique roles in the business and creative development of emerging artists and established acts.

Here’s a breakdown of the various specializations featured in the broader music management side of the entertainment industry:

 

General/Artist Manager

General artist management is a broader role that often incorporates elements of other music management roles.

They assist artists with career guidance and strategies, advising on major decisions that help them earn money from music.

 

Business Manager

In some cases, a dedicated business management role is assigned to an artist, who takes sole responsibility for financial matters.

This can include general accounting for revenue streams and tax payments, as well as managing investments and streamlining expenses.

 

Marketing Manager

The marketing manager is closely involved in promoting the artist’s music, securing press coverage, and planning ad campaigns.

In addition to marketing campaigns for song releases, they also handle the artist’s public image and reputation through media relations.

 

Production Manager

Production managers require technical knowledge across all aspects of live productions, including concerts and tours.

They oversee the sound system, lighting displays, and associated crew and logistics, and liaise with the venue owners.

 

Tour/Road Manager

Working closely with the production manager on live events is the tour manager, sometimes referred to as the road manager.

Transportation to and from the event for the artist is arranged, along with hotel bookings and other day-to-day operations.

 

Music Manager vs. Agent: Key Differences

While there is some overlap between the roles of an agent and a music manager, the two differ in scope and activities.

In general, music managers take on a broader role in an artist’s career, from vision and branding to coordinating music production.

They’re also closely involved in helping the artists they represent get signed to a record label, earning a higher commission in the process.

Agents, on the other hand, primarily focus on securing live-performance opportunities and negotiating contracts accordingly.

In this capacity, they may interact with tour managers and liaise with venues to arrange logistics and handling schedules.

 

Essential Skills Every Music Manager Needs

If you’re an aspiring music manager looking to break into the music industry, you’ll need to develop a set of core soft skills to succeed.

Here are the foundational skills every music manager needs to perform their role and develop their client’s career:

• Communication and negotiation skills: Liaising with record labels and engaging with industry connections requires clear communication and the ability to negotiate contracts persuasively.
• Business acumen and leadership: A strong business management head and the ability to identify opportunities are other key characteristics of successful music managers.
• Problem-solving and critical thinking: Managing artists often means making quick decisions and solving unexpected obstacles as they arise.
• Music industry expertise: A keen grasp of how the music industry functions, from royalty splits to music licensing deals, is essential for artist management.

Perhaps most importantly, successful music managers are passionate about music and believe in their clients’ creative journey.

 

Discover more: How to go viral on TikTok.

 

How To Become A Music Manager: Step-By-Step

Becoming a music manager means cultivating the necessary skills and experience required to nurture and develop an artist’s career.

Here’s how to become a music manager in 10 steps, from earning relevant qualifications to finding clients and networking with industry professionals.

 

Step 1: Get Qualified

While formal qualifications in music management aren’t necessarily a prerequisite, some degrees are advantageous.

Earning a business management degree will give you a deep understanding of how to manage your artist’s career and capitalize on opportunities.

Degrees in financial management and marketing can also be helpful when venturing into the music industry as a manager.

 

Step 2: Explore Music Education

Some managers start their music careers as songwriters or producers, bringing their experience to the creative process.

While a knowledge of music theory and production techniques isn’t essential, a firm grasp of the core principles will elevate your services.

Here’s a concise overview of how music managers can play a role in guiding the songwriting and production for their clients:

 

Songwriting & Composition

A great manager has a keen understanding of how the artists fit into the music scene, advising on song structure and suggesting collaborations.

This also extends to connecting artists with engineers and arranging studio time to record music ready for post-production.

 

Music Production Techniques

A basic understanding of music production fundamentals is also recommended for music managers when working with artists.

This knowledge can help improve the style and production values of EPs and albums, ensuring they sound amazing when released.

 

Step 3: Gain Real-World Experience

It goes without saying that music managers are expected to have a deep understanding of how the music industry works.

This is best gained through direct experience, whether by working as an intern or taking on entry-level roles at established businesses.

This experience will give you hands-on exposure to a range of processes, from contract negotiation to music marketing campaign management.

You can then reference this experience in your resume, if applying at a music management company, or when contacting artists directly.

 

Step 4: Understand the Legal & Financial Basics

Managing an artist’s career requires a solid understanding of the legal aspects of contracts and revenue streams.

This includes a knowledge of music copyright laws and how to protect your artist’s music from plagiarism and theft.

Copyright also affects the collection and distribution of music royalties and how they are split between songwriters and master ownership.

Establishing the right processes for mechanical and performance royalties ensures everyone is paid correctly.

 

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Step 5: Build Your Network

Connecting artists with other talent and maximizing promotional efforts can be enhanced by attending music industry events.

These events feature industry professionals from major and independent record labels who are eager to sign new talent.

They can be pivotal for an artist’s career advancement, with professional organizations frequently in attendance.

Such events also enable music managers to stay abreast of the latest business practices adopted by established professionals.

 

Step 6: Join Music Industry Associations

There are several music-industry associations that managers can join to support artist management and promotion.

Some examples of associations commonly used by managers representing artists and musicians include:

• Music Manager’s Forum: A general association for all types of managers, MMF provides networking and advocacy support, with bases in the United States and the United Kingdom.
• International Music Managers’ Forum: This association takes a global view of the management process, focusing on bringing talent to an international audience.

Music managers also liaise with other industry professionals, including the National Association of Music Merchants, a music industry hub.

 

Step 7: Start Building A Client List

If you’re considering starting as a music manager at the grassroots level, you can build relationships with local artists.

Reach out to singer-songwriters and bands to offer your assistance with getting gigs and producing tracks ready for release.

As you gain more local clients and build a reputation for successful artist promotion, you can aim for bigger and better clients.

You can also tap into your current roster of artists and leverage their connections to add new clients through word-of-mouth referrals.

 

Step 8: Approach Established Artists

Once you’ve built a reputation for helping artists advance their careers, you can start approaching established artists to represent them.

You’ll need to demonstrate your ability to help independent artists generate revenue, showcasing financial performance with data.

This information can be presented on a website featuring testimonials from existing clients, or through direct outreach via email.

Focusing on other artists in similar genres and at a comparable level of success will increase your chances of finding new, high-value talent.

 

Step 9: Apply To Music Management Companies

While working as an independent music manager can be lucrative, many aspiring managers strive to break into the mainstream.

This means applying to larger music management companies, either directly or through the MMF Accelerator Programme.

Start by creating a shortlist of management companies that represent artists and bands within your preferred music genres.

If you’ve built industry connections and established healthy relationships, don’t be afraid to use these referrals when submitting applications.

The cover letter for your application should demonstrate a keen understanding of how the company operates and what it expects from managers.

You can elevate your resume by including personal insights into career strategies, demonstrating a proactive approach to the role.

 

Step 10: Stay Updated With Music Industry Trends

Effective music management demands a clear understanding not only of how the music industry works but also of anticipated trends.

This knowledge covers everything from genre-specific market shares to emerging musical styles and upcoming music events.

It also covers technological trends, from new AI music production tools to the application of blockchain and other innovations.

You can keep track of these industry trends by reading music-based publications, tech news sites, and speaking to your industry connections.

 

Recommended reading: The best music production equipment for beginners.

 

Most Famous Music Managers

Music managers have played a vital role in the music industry for decades, working with artists across all popular music genres.

Some of the most famous music managers who have influenced the music career of iconic stars include:

• Colonel Tom Parker: One of the early notable music managers, Colonel Tom Parker was partly responsible for Elvis Presley’s rise to superstardom.
• Peter Grant: A revered music manager known for his strategic approach, Grant helped the band Led Zeppelin achieve international fame.
• Scooter Braun: Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, and Demi Lovato all broke into the music business world and landed chart-topping hits with the guidance of Scooter Braun.

Other notable music managers who launched successful careers include Allen Klein, the Rolling Stones’ manager, and hip-hop pioneer Kevin Liles.

 

Common Challenges New Music Managers Face

While becoming a music manager offers many benefits, the role also presents common challenges that can impede an artist’s success.

If you’re considering venturing into artist management, here are some challenges in the music industry to be aware of:

• Standing out in a saturated market: With thousands of emerging artists seeking attention, helping them gain the recognition they deserve can be challenging.
• Physical and mental fatigue: Managing multiple tasks alongside an artist’s team can be incredibly stressful, potentially leading to burnout, stress, and physical health issues.
• Potential financial instability: With no guarantee that your artists succeed, and possible high costs for production and marketing, music management can be financially insecure.

By developing a comprehensive skill set that enables you to perform at your best, you can recognize and overcome these challenges.

 

Music Manager Career Path & Progression

Career paths and progression options in the music industry vary with individual goals and industry expertise.

In some cases, they begin as interns or low-level employees at music management companies, working as assistants or PR professionals.

Alternatively, some have prior experience with local artists and bands, building relationships and clients independently.

Once a music manager’s career is established, they can begin representing multiple clients with a dedicated team.

This experience can lead to high-paying roles with established artists or transitioning to executive roles at labels or publishing companies.

 

How Much Do Music Managers Make?

The earnings range for music managers depends on factors including their industry experience, track record, and artist profile.

Independent music managers often start with little to no income, particularly when representing emerging artists new to the scene.

For new managers at a management company, average annual salaries range from $20,000 to $40,000, depending on their qualifications.

As they move to represent successful independent artists, this salary range can reach up to $120,000 per year.

On the other hand, top-tier managers working with big-name artists and a dedicated team can potentially earn millions of dollars annually.

 

Read next: The 10 best music producers of all time.

 

How Do Music Managers Get Paid?

Payment arrangements for artists and music managers depend on their specific roles and responsibilities, as well as the artist’s earnings.

Most managers are paid a commission of 15% to 20% of the artist’s gross earnings, although contracts vary.

This commission rate can also be influenced by hybrid deals, which may exclude revenue from merchandise or discount expenses.

For high-profile acts, for whom managers are available 24/7, commission rates are sometimes lowered to 10%-15%.

 

Tools & Software Music Managers Use

Many robust tools and programs help music managers serve the best interests of the artists they represent.

Here are some of the popular tools and software used by artist management firms to streamline their workflows:

• Project management tools: Managers stay on top of daily operations and manage projects using dedicated tools such as Monday, Smartsheet, and DISCO.
• Digital marketing tools: Music managers also use a range of music marketing tools to promote new releases, including the design platform Canva and SubmitHub.
• Music distribution services: Managers schedule artist releases and upload discographies to Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music, and other platforms using music distribution services.

Additionally, many music managers will be familiar with analytics software that provides in-depth data on the artist’s performance.

 

Summary

Becoming a music manager is a rewarding career that blends strategy, creativity, and a deep belief in the artists you represent.

By developing the right skills, building experience, and following a clear path into the industry, you can grow a strong roster of artists and shape meaningful careers.

With persistence, networking, and thoughtful planning, a prosperous future in artist management is entirely within your reach.