August 2004
Terri Mazurek is a Minneapolis-based social worker
turned booking agent. Founder and co-owner of Peppermint Booking
Agency, Ms. Mazurek has been helping musicians succeed in the music
business since 1999. She has participated in several music conference
panels and also offers workshops on a variety of topics including one
titled "How to sell your music without selling your soul." Her website
PeppermintBooking.com
(editor's note..) Terri wrote the following article as a post to
the Indiegirl forum in response to someone asking about needing a
booking agent/manager. She made some excellent points and agreed to let
us publish the informative post. Re-printed with permission by the
author.
When do you need a Manager in your career?
by Terri Mazurek
Great question! You asked about whether you are ready for either a
booking agent or a manager. For a new musician with one CD under her
belt, I recommend neither (at this point). As a Booking Agent and
artist manager myself, I'd like to suggest an alternative to you. Have
you considered a booking assistant?
I STRONGLY recommend that newer artists find someone that they
train themselves. Email your fan list or mull over your friends who
really believe in what you do... you are looking for someone with a
part-time job... who's making enough to make ends meet but has some
free time to explore a possible new career. Buy them "How to be your
own booking agent" by Jeri Goldstein and train them in booking and
general management stuff.
They'll benefit from the opportunity to learn about booking and
artist management, and you'll benefit from a person dedicated to you,
only.
Yes, you'll have to supervise them and yes, they will need
training.. but I've seen it work really well and HIGHLY recommend it.
As a social worker-turned-booking agent, I can tell you that it
doesn't take loads of experience to be a good manager or booking agent,
it takes interest, heart, and enthusiasm. Good organizational skills
don't hurt, either! :-)
I make this suggestion because: If you're not making enough money
to support yourself, there is no way you will be able to pay a manager
or booking agent enough to make it worth their while. The music
industry is changing SO RAPIDLY right now, and *good* booking agents
and managers are being really skittish about signing on with artists
who are not yet proven (myself included). However, there are also
plenty of incompetent and/or untrustworthy agents/managers who will
agree to work with you for little money and then do nothing for you. I
can name a dozen artists with a horrifying story about an agent/manager
that signed with them and then screwed them over.
This brings up a bigger point that I want to bring up ...some
advice and experiences I've had as an agent that might help someone.
*WARNING* I'm about to step on my soapbox- be warned, people! :-)
*Steps up on the soapbox*
I hear from about 4-8 musicians PER WEEK looking for a booking
agent. Almost NONE of them are actually ready for one and very few are
treating it as a business arrangement. Many artists I know are waiting
for "people with connections" to intervene and make it so they don't
need to be business people anymore. BAD IDEA.
ALL OF YOU need to remain business people... no matter if you add
others to the mix... Actually, ESPECIALLY when you add other people to
the mix.
It always surprises me that few folks who enter into a career as a
solo musician or in a band really *get* that what they are doing is
starting a business. Most still buy into the myth that they'll be
"discovered" and then they can focus on what they love - the music.
Sure there is an occasional situation where a certain musician
happened to be in the right place at the right time and makes the right
connection... but those artists who go on to be successful have not
disengaged from the business aspects... in fact... I'm certain they
remain very active in it.
It's just a business deal.. it's not something to be romanticized
or put on a pedestal.
The best thing you can do for your career is to accept that you'll
be running this business as long as you want to be doing music.. and do
everything in your power to be a damn good business woman.
When you are asking people to get involved in your business, you
need to make a business proposal. Don't try to woo them with your
musical abilities... they need to know if you can make a living at it,
and if you can afford to pay them. Sure, they need to believe in you as
an artist, but first they need to know you respect them and would be
able to pay for their investment in you. You need to think in terms of
partners to your business... and then choose VERY CAREFULLY who you let
in.
Please, let go of the illusion that someone is going to swoop in
and take your career to the next level themselves. Instead, plan to
take it to the next level yourself. Today: plan your 10 year, 5 year, 3
year, 2 year, and one year goals and identify the steps you need to
take to get there. Figure out why you're doing music (the deep-down
motivation) and put it up on your wall. Keep track of your money - pay
an accountant every 6 months to help you get your books together. Take
a business class about starting and running a business. ONLY work with
people who you trust and you believe are truly competent. Decide to be
a light in the industry... someone who is positive, upbeat, doesn't
gossip, and generally makes others feel good (this alone could make a
huge impact on your career).
Ok... enough of this unsolicited advice! ;-) I just want you all to
succeed and not be screwed over because you want someone else to run
the business...
You can do this!!!
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