The answer may surprise you. According to Nielsen, nearly half of the population discovers new music via traditional radio. Pay attention, artists. Know your demographic and plan accordingly. Via DigitalMusicNews.
These figures, however, do not reflect the listening habits of young America. For teenagers, the figures look more like this:
Via Rap Rehab/Allindstrom
A hand on the steering wheel. Let’s be honest. Most musicians are not business people. Unless you want to spend years learning and keeping up with the ever changing business realities of the music industry, you need an artist manager who can take care of the details for you so you can focus on making music.
Organization. It’s important to have a solid organization behind you even before you achieve significant inroads in the music business. Your fans will never see the cogs that keep the machine running (i.e., accountants, road crew, etc.), and that’s just how it should be. You need an organization that works behind the scenes to make sure you can do what you do best—–make great music.
Contacts. If you don’t know the right people, it’s difficult to get anywhere in the music business. Like it or not, deals in the music business are struck the same way they are in other businesses and record executives work with people they know and trust. You can either lament the fact that great music never gets heard because of this (and that’s true enough) or you can get an artist manager who knows this business and let the system work for you.
Support. You need an artist manager who believes in what you’re doing artistically. You need someone who will support you and go to bat for you while also helping you strike that delicate balance between being true to your artistic vision and putting out music that your audience will receive.
Motivation. Truth be told, even the most driven artists and bands occasionally need someone to provide them with encouragement when the daily grind of the music business gets them down (and it will sometimes). Contrary to popular belief, the music business takes a lot of work and isn’t for the faint of heart. Even those who do work hard need that extra push once in a while, and a good artist manager should provide motivation.
Straight Talk. Let’s face it, musicians can be temperamental. You need an artist consultant you can trust. Someone who will be unwavering and give you the best possible advice, especially when times are tough. The consultants at ktc mgmt bring that rare combination of candor and tact to your management team.
Learning the business. Even if you don’t want a manager to handle all of the business details, you’re going to need a solid consultant to help you work through issues like understanding publishing agreements or recording contracts, how to market your music to movies, TV and other media, or how to get your gear overseas for an international date or tour. These are just a few examples of what an artist consulting company is capable of handling. This is what we do at ktc mgmt.
Expense Streams. If you don’t approach your band like a business, you’re chances of succeeding financially are slim. The right management company will help manage your expenses, making sure you’re not spending more than you’re making. The delicate balance of managing expenses is a fundamental of any successful business.
Income Streams. In the end, everyone desires the rock star lifestyle. While it would be fortuitous to score a Top 40 hit, there are plenty of ways to earn an income as an artist, at all levels. An artist management company like ktc mgmt can help you realize income streams you may not have thought of, keeping your head above water long enough for you to get the exposure you need to win in the super tough music business.
