Best way to approach management

[teknatronik]

I wouldnt mind a manager. Not to interested in live shows, but more on them aquiring remix work or record deals. Anyone have some experience with this?

[pukozade]

whats to manage..... sounds like u just need some stems..... search remix comps in google if your that good.

[teknatronik]

nah, i have been there done that, won a few remix comps....

I am looking for someone who can take care all of that plus some. Somewhat like an aggregator, label work, getting deals, etc.

[teknatronik]

Some ideas please?

Maybe who to contact for dance music management?

What should I look out for?

What is the going rate for a manager?

google search reveals little.

[newguy1]

I find it best to be the one getting approached, as opposed to approaching in business deals like this. So many half-ass artists are begging for help all the time, its a bit of a joke.

To be real, if you're not being approached by potential managers, then the work you're doing isn't there yet.

Once your work starts getting close to an actual money-making level of quality (ie what managers and other industry folks are interested in), you will without a doubt be sought out.

Until then, better to focus on mastering your craft to attract their attention imo.

[teknatronik]

well, it seems in the music I make not many have management. I get approached by labels weekly and I feel maybe some sort of management might help. I dont know of any artists in my genre of edm who currently has one except the biggest of the bigs. If not having a manager is getting me looked at by labels, then having a manager might be worhtwhile. I could be barking up the wrong tree, but it sure cant hurt.

[SochiTag]

Why not start here: Toolroom Records :: Independent UK Dance label

[teknatronik]

Originally Posted by SochiTag

Why not start here: Toolroom Records :: Independent UK Dance label

thnx

[newguy1]

Originally Posted by teknatronik

well, it seems in the music I make not many have management. I get approached by labels weekly and I feel maybe some sort of management might help. I dont know of any artists in my genre of edm who currently has one except the biggest of the bigs. If not having a manager is getting me looked at by labels, then having a manager might be worhtwhile. I could be barking up the wrong tree, but it sure cant hurt.

Nice. Put a few tracks out then. The weasels will come.

[teknatronik]

Originally Posted by newguy1

Nice. Put a few tracks out then. The weasels will come.

I got tracks out... If I didnt labels wouldnt approach.

Just need someone who has better connects than me, as we all know, its who you kno.

[pukozade]

just be carefull its a scary industry your hated one minute loved the next how far would u trust someone who'd take the shirt from your back...........

[newguy1]

Originally Posted by teknatronik

I got tracks out... If I didnt labels wouldnt approach.

Just need someone who has better connects than me, as we all know, its who you kno.

When you're in the middle its who you know. When you're undeniably great, the world comes to you.

[teknatronik]

Originally Posted by newguy1

When you're in the middle its who you know. When you're undeniably great, the world comes to you.

Valid points, I dont need people to think I am great, I can do that on my own, lol.

I would like some help getting tunes out to a broader audience and maybe some steady work.

[Whalez]

ehe I think in order to get popular and make money you do actually need other people to think your great and not just yourself

[teknatronik]

well, greatness is an opinion. It can mean many things to many people, but I would be happy with something a little more. Then again, who wouldnt?

[Lumin One]

I would second the advice to keep putting music out yourself until you are approached.

[teknatronik]

approached by a manager?

I have always been under the impression that artist find their managers, is this not correct?

[Whalez]

from all the books and biographies and stuff ive read which is the only experience I have on this subject the only time the artist usualy aproaches the manager is cause like they already just got offered some super big deal and either the label or whatever tells them they need to find one or they tell themselves they need to get one to make sure everything is cool before they sign some big contract

[teknatronik]

Originally Posted by Whalez

from all the books and biographies and stuff ive read which is the only experience I have on this subject the only time the artist usualy aproaches the manager is cause like they already just got offered some super big deal and either the label or whatever tells them they need to find one or they tell themselves they need to get one to make sure everything is cool before they sign some big contract

hmmm, yeh, I havnt got a big record deal.

I do have a few labels that contact me for music though. I cant seem to find any help on google for dance music management.... Oh well, Ill jus go in how I usually do! thnx guys

[jrakarl]

Which country are you in?

Sent from my GT-I9000 using Gearslutz.com App

[allhazardsadam]

Originally Posted by teknatronik

approached by a manager?

I have always been under the impression that artist find their managers, is this not correct?

Not really. I would say most artists that don't go anywhere found their managers, usually one of their friends, which is fine until you find a manager that actually has a lot of experience. These managers almost always find their talent. They work with one artist, learn from their mistakes, that artist (if talented) is usually found by a more experienced manager and ditches their first manager who naturally had no clue what they were doing, then they find a new artist and the process repeats.

Now take all that with a grain of salt. EDM is still a relatively recent and underground genre, and I would assume the subgenre you're in is even more so. Plus the professional dynamics of the music industry are changing more rapidly than in they have in the past 50-60 years, if not ever. What it means to be a talent manager today is quite different than it used to be.

As for going rates, from what I understand you usually make equal splits with your manager. So if it's just you and your manager, it's 50-50. If you and two other bandmates, then it's 25-25-25-25. But only pay this kind of money if your manager puts equal time and effort into your joint enterprise together. If you are in the studio or playing gigs 100 hours a week and your manager is at his day job and spends 10 minutes a week finding you a gig, he/she is not a real manager and is not equally contributing to the success of your act as a business. You need to have a contract that allows you to fire your manager if they are not working up to expectations. If your manager is just helping you decide label deals and getting you remix stems, maybe you should pay based on commission instead, as he is not really your business manager as much as he is an agent of some sort (not like a booking agent). In that case maybe you give an agreed percentage for each remix opp and an agreed percentage on your label advance (or whatever the label is paying you for, I have no clue in the EDM world). Other than that, you keep all your gig earnings, merch sales, etc.

[teknatronik]

Originally Posted by jrakarl

Which country are you in?

Sent from my GT-I9000 using Gearslutz.com App

America, I create breakbeats similar to nu-skool breaks.

[Fifstar]

Look for the booking contacts of known DJs in your genre. Most of the bigger names have a booking agency or a manager that takes care of stuff like that. Some only handle bookings, but I'm sure many have a more allround approach that includes making contacts.

Although I don't understand what you really want, because you say you want remix work or record deals but then you say you are already getting contacted regularly? Just want "bigger" stuff?

[teknatronik]

Originally Posted by allhazardsadam

Not really. I would say most artists that don't go anywhere found their managers, usually one of their friends, which is fine until you find a manager that actually has a lot of experience. These managers almost always find their talent. They work with one artist, learn from their mistakes, that artist (if talented) is usually found by a more experienced manager and ditches their first manager who naturally had no clue what they were doing, then they find a new artist and the process repeats.

Now take all that with a grain of salt. EDM is still a relatively recent and underground genre, and I would assume the subgenre you're in is even more so. Plus the professional dynamics of the music industry are changing more rapidly than in they have in the past 50-60 years, if not ever. What it means to be a talent manager today is quite different than it used to be.

As for going rates, from what I understand you usually make equal splits with your manager. So if it's just you and your manager, it's 50-50. If you and two other bandmates, then it's 25-25-25-25. But only pay this kind of money if your manager puts equal time and effort into your joint enterprise together. If you are in the studio or playing gigs 100 hours a week and your manager is at his day job and spends 10 minutes a week finding you a gig, he/she is not a real manager and is not equally contributing to the success of your act as a business. You need to have a contract that allows you to fire your manager if they are not working up to expectations. If your manager is just helping you decide label deals and getting you remix stems, maybe you should pay based on commission instead, as he is not really your business manager as much as he is an agent of some sort (not like a booking agent). In that case maybe you give an agreed percentage for each remix opp and an agreed percentage on your label advance (or whatever the label is paying you for, I have no clue in the EDM world). Other than that, you keep all your gig earnings, merch sales, etc.

exteremly well put. ty so much

I might not be in for a manager, maybe its an agent I am looking for?

[teknatronik]

Originally Posted by Fifstar

Look for the booking contacts of known DJs in your genre. Most of the bigger names have a booking agency or a manager that takes care of stuff like that. Some only handle bookings, but I'm sure many have a more allround approach that includes making contacts.

Although I don't understand what you really want, because you say you want remix work or record deals but then you say you are already getting contacted regularly? Just want "bigger" stuff?

good ideas.

What I want is for someone to manage the labels contacting and expand on it. help with promotions of releases etc.

[Whatupdoe?]

This seems like an ass backward way to work.

The way it is done is that you build up your DIY network to the point where you can't manage it anymore, and then you bring in people to work for you.
If you want to be in the music business, everything has to be DIY. There isn't much money left in music, so the less you pay outsiders the better. The reality is that in most cases, other people cannot represent you as well as you can represent yourself.

If your music is as good as you say it is, then it shouldn't be that hard to build it up. It has been my experience that good music sells itself.

[teknatronik]

Originally Posted by Whatupdoe?

This seems like an ass backward way to work.

The way it is done is that you build up your DIY network to the point where you can't manage it anymore, and then you bring in people to work for you.
If you want to be in the music business, everything has to be DIY. There isn't much money left in music, so the less you pay outsiders the better. The reality is that in most cases, other people cannot represent you as well as you can represent yourself.

If your music is as good as you say it is, then it shouldn't be that hard to build it up. It has been my experience that good music sells itself.

Did I say my music was good? and good music does not always sell itself if it is not heard...

[Whatupdoe?]

Originally Posted by teknatronik

Did I say my music was good? and good music does not always sell itself if it is not heard...

I think this thread is more about you seeking attention and less about trying to get ahead in the business.

To wrap the game up in a nutshell: You release good music on small labels, which medium labels pay attention to. Then you release good music on medium labels which big labels pay attention to. Then you release on big labels and start touring professionally.

Your job as an artist is to make music and network. Find out who makes records you like and tell them you like their music via email. Self-google and figure out who is charting and playing your records, thank them via email. When someone bigger than you supports your music and they are a good fit artistically, get to know them. Eventually ask them if they want to do a record.

Repeat, repeat, repeat...

[teknatronik]

true

not about seeking attention because if that were the case id start a thread saying " whats the stupidest thing you eva said."

Thats beside the point.... I was trying to find oout my next best step. Ill just keep doing what I am doing and not ask on public forums...

[SochiTag]

If you have tracks released - try the link I posted, but say you are looking for a publishing contract and (most importantly) help with collecting royalties from your current releases. This is the way in - develop a relationship from there. Your tracks are good.

Good luck.