From what you've read so far a manager might seem like the answer to your dreams and everything you need to make it as an artist. Well this isn't strictly true.

You need to develop as an artist as much as you can before approaching a manager. They are only going to take you on when you have a good bank of songs, you're regularly playing live (if applicable), and they can see a market potential for you. 

Remember being a manager can be a full time job and they need to know they are going to see a return. They work on a percentage of what you earn so they need to know you are going to make money.

Some artists are capable of managing themselves.

As with many other aspects of the business, it's a balance that you have to strike for yourself.

Making all your own decisions can give you an extra level of control but it means that you need to put in the extra effort to field all the phone calls, find your own agent, lawyer, accountant and keep them working as a team for you.

If you do want a manager - and the vast majority of artists do - then the fact that others get along without one is quite reassuring.

It means you can survive until you find that right person, so don't feel you must take second best. Better to wait than to make the wrong choice which will cost you later on.



Finding A Manager
The honest truth is a good manager will find you.

If you are at a level where you are ready for management

and your music is being played or performed regularly they will come and say hello (and if you aren't at this level maybe you aren't ready for a manager). 

That said, there's never any harm in giving them a hand finding you. Here are some ideas how to... 

Finding them 
The process is very similar to finding a record company or publisher.

First of all, do some research.

Talk to your musician friends

Read any relevant publications, interviews with artists

Check record sleeves. Artists often print their representative's contact details on them.

If you have one, speak to your solicitor, accountant, agent - the people may well be doing business with other bands' managers.

If you know any people working in record companies and publishing companies, ask for recommendations. 

Have a look through in a music directory (see list). Look up the names of some companies and try to find out more about them - what acts do they already represent? Whom should you approach there? 

After you have done all of this research draw up a list of names - whether it is a short list or a long list at this stage does not matter.