An artist manager or band manager is a person or organisation who takes care of the business side of an artists or bands career. From a management perspective, it is better for an artist who already has built a form of career out of their profession before gaining a manager, or simply, there will be nothing for a manager to 'manage'. Gaining a manager also does not mean that you can now relax. Gaining management actually means that an artist should work just as hard.

Managers can manage unsigned acts and the general core element here is to gain deals. Other duties could include, sending out demos to radio, media for reviews etc, labels and any online opportunities, book gigs and create media events, business networking, review funding or grants options, and other day to day tasks including writing up plans and making any other bookings such as studio time or rehearsal time. 

Managers that manage signed acts primary roles are but not limited to, negotiation of financial deals for issues such as touring, recording and merchandise matters and communicating with outsourced people and businesses working for the band, such as financial specialists, agents, promotions companies, designing, merchandising, legal matters, business plans etc.

An artist manager is not an agent, an artist manager is not a financial source and an artist manager works by set commission from all earnings excluding some elements. Although there are many different artist/manager agreements and a lot of the time artist/manager agreements are by personal choice or acceptance of both parties and often can be altered to a point where both parties are happy with the outcome.

It is best to be honest and open from the beginning and for all to understand expectations.

• Relationship building
• Business development
• Product branding
• Financial management
• Internal auditing
• Gaining deals and negotiating offers

1. Product = Solution
2. Promotion = Information
3. Price = Value
4. Place = Access