Advance Your Career: Build Your Team

Any good leader, CEO, Business Executive, etc. will tell you that her success rests largely on the shoulders of the “team” she has working for her. Any executive who tells you she is doing it ALL herself is either a) not really succeeding, b) completely exhausted, or c) blowing smoke up your butt. All great companies are built from the ground up, with the strength and support at the bottom and the vision and leadership at the top. Without the strength and support, all the vision in the world will not get you very far.

Great artists and performers are really no different. As a musician, singer, songwriter, etc., you have the vision, you’re the creator. You need to assemble the right team of players to help you get your project off the ground. Many artists turn to the record labels to provide this team, but as we discussed in last month’s article “DIY, Is It Right For You”, the label deal is not the only option.

If you are going the DIY route (by choice, or until the label deal comes through), at a certain point, you are going to need help. If you are in a band, your band mates can be a big part of your team, with each member assigned a particular area of responsibility (booking, promotion, etc). Many bands have done this very successfully.

There are also many professionals who can, and often should, be a part of your team. These include:

- Managers
- Booking Agents
- Independent Promotion Companies
- Music Attorneys
- Producers
- Vocal and Music Coaches/Instructors
- Music Consultants
- Independent Marketing Companies

Before you sign on with one of these professionals, however, it’s important to determine what your actual needs are, and which type of professional is right for you. Many artists sign on with managers, when what they really need is a good booking agent or a solid radio promotion team. Do the research, talk with your band mates and figure out what your needs really are. Then build the team necessary. If you’re not sure what your needs are, you need to get an unbiased, honest opinion from someone who is experienced in the music industry – and then go for it!