#Artist Development

[artist-management001]

Artist Management 101: A Beginner's Guide

Artist management is one of the most critical roles in the entertainment industry. Whether it's music, visual arts, or performance, the artist-manager relationship is pivotal in ensuring an artist's success. If you're new to the world of artist management, this beginner's guide will walk you through the essentials.

What is Artist Management?

Artist management involves overseeing the business and career aspects of an artist. Managers are intermediaries between artists and various industry stakeholders, including record labels, booking agents, and promoters. Their primary goal is to help artists navigate the complex world of contracts, promotions, performances, and other business matters so that they can focus on their craft.

The Role of an Artist Manager

An artist manager wears many hats. They take on roles such as:

Business Advisor: Managers help artists make critical decisions regarding career direction, business deals, and contracts.

Negotiator: From securing record deals to negotiating tour contracts, managers ensure their artist gets the best possible terms.

Strategic Planner: They help map out the long-term vision of an artist’s career, whether it's securing brand partnerships, album releases, or expanding into new markets.

Public Relations Specialist: Managers often work closely with publicists to shape the artist’s public image and manage their presence across media platforms.

Financial Overseer: While managers may not be accountants, they often monitor an artist’s earnings, help manage budgets, and ensure financial health.

The Importance of Trust

The relationship between an artist and their manager is built on trust. Managers need to believe in the artist’s talent and vision, while the artist must trust the manager to make the best decisions for their career. It’s not just a business relationship but a personal one as well. A manager is often the person an artist turns to for advice, support, and guidance.

Key Skills for Artist Managers

If you're considering stepping into the world of artist management, certain skills are crucial for success:

Networking: The entertainment industry is all about relationships. The more contacts you have, the more opportunities you can create for your artist.

Negotiation: Managers must be savvy negotiators to secure the best deals for their artists, whether it's for a recording contract, a tour, or a sponsorship deal.

Organisation: Artist managers juggle multiple tasks and responsibilities. Strong organisational skills are essential to stay on top of meetings, deadlines, and schedules.

Industry Knowledge: Understanding the intricacies of the entertainment industry, including trends, legalities, and new opportunities, is crucial for managing an artist effectively.

Curious to know more? Click here for the full Blog Artist Management!

Building Your Artist’s Brand

One of the most important aspects of artist management is building and maintaining an artist's brand. This includes:

Developing a unique identity: An artist’s image should reflect their personality and style, which the manager helps craft and project to the world.

Social media presence: In today’s digital age, social media is essential. Managers must oversee and optimize social media accounts to grow an artist's fanbase.

Networking and partnerships: Strategic collaborations and partnerships can elevate an artist's profile and introduce them to new audiences.

Getting Started as a Manager

Starting a career in artist management can be challenging, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. To begin, you can either manage emerging talent or work your way up at a management firm. Building a portfolio of successful artist partnerships will open doors for more established artists down the line.

You may also need to familiarize yourself with the legal aspects of management, such as contract law, royalties, and licensing. Partnering with an entertainment lawyer or taking courses in music business management can help navigate the legal complexities.

Conclusion

Artist management is both an art and a science. It requires a passion for the craft, a deep understanding of the industry, and a commitment to helping artists achieve their dreams. If you're ready to dive into this exciting field, remember that it’s not just about managing the business; it’s about fostering an artist’s creative journey and guiding them toward long-term success. With the right skills, connections, and attitude, you can play an instrumental role in shaping the next big name in entertainment.

Looking for more? Check out our website Library Caffe for additional blogs.

[kevdaceo]

Shawnna still thicker than grits!

[cmhlive]

Super proud of our work over the last year, looking to take on this with great talent as well.

[mackachu1212]

Couldn’t find a lot to put 😭

Characters in order below

Jan - Mack the Wolf (OC - Mack’s Diner)

Feb - Titan Luz (The Owl House)

Mar - Foxy (FNaF)

Apr - It (OC - Mack’s Diner)

May - Vega (OC - Neo’s Renaissance)

June - Damian (OC - Mack’s Diner)

July - Mackachu (OC/Persona)

Aug - Casper (OC - Welcome to Tuama)

Sep - Aziel (OC - Roses)

Oct - Walter (OC - Mack’s Diner)

Nov - Mack the Wolf (OC - Mack’s Diner)

Dec - Aziel and Rue (OCs - Roses)

[rhythm-plate20]

Ep11 | Bread4Soul CONVOS with Sir LSG | Terry Hunter

In 2020, Sir LSG’s passion for artist development drove him to produce Bread4Soul CONVOS, a daily interactive online show with a focus on knowledge sharing. The show hosted a number of influential figures in the music industry such as DJ Sbu, Monique Bingham, Ralf GUM, DJ Ganyani, Black Coffee, Proverb, Mi Casa, DJ Christos to name a few.

[itsjbruce]

I have published a series of ebooks about the subjects that I have encountered for the last 35 years concerned with the business of music.  Each ebook contains between 20-30 pages of necessary and critical subject matter that I feel anyone that needs to know or wants to learn critical information about the music business.  I assure you if you have or are interested in a career in the music business you will learn and hopefully succeed in this business.  Teaching the business of music including courses on artist development, marketing, promotion, production, and resources of your choice will be available to download.  Please go to www.jamesbruceinstructor.com and for FREE download your first ebook titled Music Ebook 001

[trapangeles]

The Missing Ingredient: Why Marketing Is Essential for Every Artist's Success

"Great music doesn’t sell itself... No marketing, no career. Let that sink in."

In today’s competitive music industry, talent alone won’t get you where you need to be. You could have the hottest track in your city, but if no one knows about it, does it even matter? It’s a cold truth that many up-and-coming artists ignore—they're sitting on fire tracks, waiting for someone to come and "discover" them, when the real key to success is making sure everyone knows who you are.

Gone are the days of waiting for a label to come knocking on your door. Nowadays, independent artists have more control than ever, but that power comes with responsibility. Marketing is the difference between staying local and breaking through to a wider audience. If you aren’t promoting yourself, who will? You can’t afford to sleep on the importance of marketing in 2024.

Why Marketing Matters

The biggest mistake most artists make is assuming that great music alone will carry them to the top. That’s like baking the perfect cake but never serving it. Without an audience, without reach, your music will go unheard. Marketing builds the bridge between your art and the people who need to hear it. From engaging on social media to running targeted ads, putting your music out there strategically will make all the difference.

If you’re serious about your career, you need a solid marketing strategy. Marketing gives you visibility. It’s how people will find your music, connect with your message, and become loyal fans. It’s how you take control of your narrative and build your brand, instead of leaving it up to chance.

5 Actionable Steps to Boost Your Marketing Game

If you're ready to level up, here’s how to get started with your marketing journey:

Create a Content Calendar Consistency is key. Plan out your social media posts, music releases, and visual drops. Whether it’s Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube, make sure you’re putting out content regularly to stay in the conversation. If you drop a single today, plan on promoting it for weeks, not just days.

Run Targeted Ads on Instagram and YouTube Ads are an investment, not an expense. Target the right audience—people who will vibe with your sound. Whether it’s Instagram story ads or YouTube pre-rolls, get your music in front of the right eyes and ears. Start small, track your results, and scale up.

Engage with Your Fans Reply to every comment. Answer your DMs. Build relationships with your listeners. Engagement drives loyalty, and loyal fans spread your music like wildfire. Don’t underestimate the power of direct fan engagement—it’s your best form of organic promotion.

Collaborate with Influencers Partner with influencers who match your energy and brand. Let them spread your music to their audience. Whether it’s a TikTok dance challenge or a simple shoutout, influencers can help amplify your reach to places you haven’t even touched yet.

Track Your Metrics What’s working? What’s not? Use tools like Instagram Insights or YouTube Analytics to track how your content is performing. Adjust your strategy based on these metrics and continue to grow. Data doesn’t lie, and when used correctly, it’s your roadmap to success.

The Grind Starts with Marketing

The grind doesn’t stop with creating good music—it starts with how you promote it. A lot of artists miss this critical step and wonder why they aren’t getting traction. It’s not enough to just drop music and hope it catches on. The successful artists are the ones who treat their music like a business—promoting it, marketing it, and making sure it’s seen.

So, what's your next move? Are you going to keep sitting on a hot track hoping it goes viral, or are you going to take control of your own career and start marketing yourself like the artist you deserve to be?

For more insider tips on how to elevate your music career through marketing, branding, and business strategy, make sure to visit us at trap.LA. Don’t miss out on the latest game—we’ve got you covered.

Sign up for our trapLA email blast to get even more insights, exclusive content, and strategies delivered straight to your inbox. Don’t wait for success to find you—go out and grab it!

Have you been spending all your money and time on making music and shooting videos, but still not getting any exposure? Tired of just spinning your wheels? You know to get exposure you need to get featured on blogs, radio stations, playlist, and get your music e-mail blasted out to the masses. Need help getting all that done? Then check out the Package we’ve made available for you below!

Like & Listen To Our Spotify Playlist

trapLAXradio On The Air Now!

The Latest Music, Videos, News, Entertainment……

[ourmindonmusicpodcast]

Check out the latest Ourmindonmusic Omom: The STAGEDIVE #Streaming Platform: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIoFvw4bzyI The first 20 people to visit stagedive.com can enter the PROMO CODE Jon mentions in the episode will get 1 FREE month of Stagedive Streaming! #music #podcasts and more! #freestuff #stagedive #streaming #platform

[maplewozapi]

I genuinely feel like I’m going insane sometimes

[international-music-management]

Top Challenges in International Music Management and How to Overcome Them

Managing music careers on a global scale presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities. For seasoned executives like Faryal Khan Thompson, who boasts over 15 years of experience in international expansion, creative/marketing agencies, music distribution, and independent artist management, navigating these complexities is part of daily life. However, for many, the intricacies of international music management can be daunting. This article explores the top challenges in international music management and offers strategies to overcome them.

1. Cultural Differences and Market Nuances

Challenge: Understanding and respecting cultural differences is crucial in international music management. Each market has its own musical tastes, traditions, and business practices.

Solution: Research and cultural immersion are key. Managers should invest time in learning about the cultural nuances of each market. Collaborating with local experts and hiring regional teams can also provide valuable insights and help navigate cultural complexities effectively.

2. Legal and Regulatory Compliance

Challenge: The music industry is heavily regulated, and laws vary significantly across countries. Intellectual property rights, copyright laws, and performance rights differ from one region to another.

Solution: Employing legal experts who specialize in international entertainment law is essential. Staying updated on local regulations and building relationships with local legal authorities can prevent legal pitfalls. Utilizing international music rights organizations can also aid in managing rights and royalties efficiently.

3. Language Barriers

Challenge: Language differences can hinder communication and marketing efforts. Misunderstandings can arise, affecting negotiations, contracts, and promotional activities.

Solution: Hiring multilingual staff or professional translators can bridge language gaps. Additionally, creating multilingual marketing materials and using translation technology can enhance communication and ensure messages are accurately conveyed.

4. Diverse Market Dynamics

Challenge: Markets around the world have different economic conditions, consumer behaviors, and technological infrastructures. What works in one country may not necessarily succeed in another.

Solution: Conducting thorough market research to understand the economic and technological landscape of each target market is crucial. Tailoring marketing strategies to fit local conditions and leveraging data analytics to monitor performance can optimize market entry and growth.

5. Logistics and Touring

Challenge: Coordinating international tours involves complex logistics, including travel arrangements, visa requirements, and local regulations. Ensuring the safety and comfort of artists and crew is paramount.

Solution: Partnering with experienced tour managers and logistics companies can streamline the process. Using technology for project management and scheduling can enhance efficiency. Building strong relationships with local promoters and venues can also facilitate smoother tour planning and execution.

6. Financial Management

Challenge: Managing finances across multiple countries involves dealing with different currencies, tax laws, and banking systems. Fluctuating exchange rates can impact revenue and budgeting.

Solution: Working with international finance professionals who understand the intricacies of global financial management is essential. Using financial software that supports multi-currency transactions and staying informed about currency exchange trends can aid in effective financial planning and risk management.

7. Building a Global Brand

Challenge: Establishing and maintaining a consistent brand image across diverse markets while resonating with local audiences is challenging.

Solution: Developing a strong, adaptable brand strategy is vital. Employing local marketing teams who understand regional preferences can help tailor brand messages. Leveraging social media and digital marketing tools can also amplify brand presence and engagement on a global scale.

8. Networking and Relationships

Challenge: Building and maintaining a robust network of industry contacts in various countries is time-consuming but essential for success.

Solution: Attending international music conferences, festivals, and industry events can facilitate networking. Joining global music associations and leveraging online platforms for professional networking can also expand an international contact base.

Overcoming Challenges: Faryal Khan Thompson’s Approach

Faryal Khan Thompson, with her extensive experience and diverse professional background, exemplifies how to navigate the complexities of international music management. Her approach includes:

Cultural Sensitivity: Faryal emphasizes the importance of cultural sensitivity and local expertise. By working closely with local teams and understanding market-specific needs, she tailors strategies that resonate with diverse audiences.

Legal Expertise: She collaborates with legal professionals to ensure compliance with international laws and protect artists’ rights.

Technological Integration: Leveraging technology for communication, marketing, and financial management, Faryal ensures efficient operations across borders.

Personalized Strategies: Recognizing that one size does not fit all, she customizes strategies for each market, considering economic conditions, consumer behaviors, and technological infrastructure.

Conclusion

International music management is a multifaceted field that requires a deep understanding of various challenges and strategic solutions. By addressing cultural differences, legal complexities, language barriers, market dynamics, logistics, financial management, brand building, and networking, managers can successfully navigate the global music landscape. Drawing inspiration from industry leaders like Faryal Khan Thompson can provide valuable insights and strategies to overcome these challenges and achieve international success.

For more insights on international music, check out these valuable resources:

Women in Music Welcomes New Advisory Board and Ambassador Members

Mastering International Music Distribution: Boost Your Global Reach

[divorcetual]

I am actually so serious I think it really messes with a childs creativity and joy to tell them to never make a mary sue OC. Like that unbridaled form of joy where you make a self insert OC who super cool and everyone loves them and they have every superpower in the world SHOULD be something a kid makes, it nourishes their ability to create things for fun and not be stifled by "oh but what if my character is too overpowered and cringey...". whatever

[alariko1]

Forgor about this place qgain

[nataliedecorsair]

I wanted to give you some of Pticenoga's Borderlands AU backstory, how she was raised by Shade and before starting her shenanigans with Vaughn.

Plus a bonus comic about how she decided to set up a meeting for Vaughn and Shade, but didn't tell Vaughn who is supposed to be there x) Mostly because Vaughn has met Shade before in his macabre World of Curiosities museum and thought that Shade is too weird for him. Well, that's the kind of person that would raise a feral harpy siren, gotta deal with it!

When she was very young, nothing bothered her much as she was just a wild baby exploring the world x) And Shade was a good father figure to her. However, as she grew older, she realized that she doesn't really "fit in": yeah, Pandora is a crazy planet, but not every person there is crazy. There are plenty of "regular folk" like Shade or other people from their town - and many others. And she was frequently called a monster, a mutant and many other things by the regular kids and even adults. She was wild though, could bite them or fight with them in a pretty feral manner, and, even though she protected herself, it didn't help the situation much. She wasn't crazy enough (and too small) to fit in with the psychos or bandits, was "too human" for actual monsters living on Pandora, and for a long time she had no idea she was a Siren, as even for Sirens she looked too different. Only when she hit her teens, she was able to confirm that she is one, started using her powers, and in her human form she could see the full extension of the glowing pattern she had on her skin. She still, however, didn't know why she wasn't born "normal", and there were no older Sirens around.

At some point, she decided to become independent and live on her own. Her "wild" upbringing was helping that a lot, and she felt fine being away from people. She'd still visit Shade frequently, of course, and at some point she'd even met Zer0 and could hang out with him for some time. As Zer0 is a mystery himself, they had some common ground between them (though constantly listening to his haiku were exhausting xD). Sadly, Vault Hunters attract attention, not always positive, and that was the reason why she got spotted by a big bandit gang (could be the beginning of Vallory's gang, but before she took over). And local scientists like Tannis already declared that there may be some connection between Sirens and the Vaults. And they noticed that she's a Siren, but also pretty young (and dumb). After the first Vault on Pandora was opened, there was plenty of weird and valuable stuff around, but it wasn't so easy to get it when you're just regular bandits. And when Eridians, the aliens that are guarding the Vault, are everywhere. The Sirens like Lilith were too strong for them, and hiring a Vault Hunter is expensive, so they decided to wriggle into her favor and use her to gain access to the area. She didn't know she was dealing with bandits first, she naively thought it's a rare case of nice fellows just wanting to be friends and such, plus the Vault could have answers about her origin, and the new "friends" confirmed it.

At some point, she realized she was being used, and got into a fight with the bandits - and lost, as there were too many of them, and she had too little experience, and they knew about Shade. She got kidnapped and told that she'd do everything they told her to do, or they'd kill Shade, so she had to obey. She helped them to fight the way to the Vault and get some of the riches, and during the process she felt that she really does have a connection with Eridians - they boosted her powers and helped her to get free, and kill every presenting member of the gang. She was worried about Shade though, so she left immediately to find him before the remaining members found out what happened and could harm him. But she was too late - the water source in their town of Oasis was poisoned, and every single person there died. Except Shade though - he lasted longer, but dehydration made him insane, and he turned corpses into the stuffed dummies he could talk to (though she didn't have much of a problem with this part). As she was gone for at least several months, he didn't believe she's real, and she had to adapt to the new reality.

She never got back to the Vault after that as she felt it was a source of more trouble than anything good (in her view, the price was too much for a bunch of physical stuff).

That lasted for years, and became a bit easier as her powers, enhanced by the Eridians, wasn't only serving the destruction,  but could eventually "heal" some part of Shade's mind, so the moments of clarity became more frequent (she didn't know it's the reason, though). And you still need money, whether you like it or not, so, when Shade decided to use his World of Curiosities as a spot of illegal deals and smuggling, she didn't resist, but would watch over him in the shadows in case something goes wrong.

Eventually, she calmed down and just embraced herself. And, after some time, she met Vaughn, whose personal struggles she could sense right away, as she had to experience "being different" herself.

[aprofessionalafricanmusician]

Title: The African PROFESSIONAL Musician Masterclass.

Introduction: There is a high level of unprofessional practice in the music industry throughout Africa especially from musicians which leads to unstable and unsustainable development of musicians’ careers. This is highly because of lack of practical best practice training which musicians need.

The African PROFESSIONAL Musician Masterclass is a tool that addresses this challenge by outlining the practical step by step solutions that will help musicians be in control of their careers and achieve professional development. The Masterclass equips them with the strategies, tools and resources to provide the best insight into their ultimate professional development.

Literature Review

Several studies have shown that the African music industry has the least developed systems and least professional practice. According to a research paper by British Council named ‘Scoping the East African Music Sector ‘, the infrastructure for music across the region is underdeveloped at all stages of the supply/demand chain, from creation through to consumption.

There is a high potential of economic and social development of the music industry in Africa with the right investment.

Music education and capacity building is the single most important strategy for the creative industry to develop sustainably.

The African PROFESSIONAL Musician Masterclass is a new tool to address these untapped issues. It provides for the exact problem that the continent is facing anyway.

Objectives

a)            To explore the different ways in which participating musicians can develop their careers personal brand.

b)            To identify specific people, infrastructure and skills that African artists need to develop their content more consistently and effectively.

c)            To determine the necessary best practices in the music business to achieve financial sustainability for artists and the music industry.

Hypothesis

There is a high level of unprofessional practice with in the music industry throughout Africa because so many people involved are there because of passion and talents without any knowledge of how the system works. They have little knowledge on who to approach, what skills they need and how to even practice their craft continuously. On the other hand, the few people who have been through the systems and figured out how to do it do not know how to share with others or simply do not want to share. Educational and cultural systems have also not been able to develop the appropriate resources, information to share with these passionate and talented practitioners of music.

Once a practical knowledge transfer system is created where researchers, musicians and educators can offer their knowledge to the young and aspiring music professionals, then there will be a guarantee of sustainable and professional development on our continent.

[cmhlive]

https://goethezentrumkampala.org/2023/10/31/the-music-house-live-cmh-live/

Our friends at Goethe Zentrum Kampalaabout the concert series named the Music House live.

[toorumlk]

beach day 🏖️