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Approaching Music Agents Sarah Ings 2007-02-12
As we all know surviving in the
music industry is tough; it really is a case of the survival of
the fittest. It is important as a musician to find your own
niche and a way of producing a regular income for yourself.
As my music degree drew to a close
at Guildhall School of Music and Drama, I began to set up Musicians
Inc. specializing in providing young, professionally trained
musicians. This now runs alongside my freelance career as a
musician.
As a musician it is inevitable
that at some point in your career you will approach a music agent or
manager in order to expand your work on the circuit. Before you do
this there are a few things you need to consider.
1st – know yourself.
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What do you have to offer?
Be very clear and very truthful in your answer to this question. Are
you a songwriter, musician, recording engineer? If you have a talent
in more than one area, choose your strongest or top two or three
talents, more than this could be detrimental and almost seem as if
you are a jack of all trades and a master of none! This can
also lead to a difficulty in marketing yourself later on.
Ø
Find your niche!
Spend time understanding what makes you different from everyone
else. Why should people employ you or buy your records as apposed to
the thousands that are already out there? Music agencies are
inundated with CDs from musicians and only a few will be listened to
and only a handful of applicants will ever be used.
Ø
Know your audience!
Just who is it that you appeal to? Who likes your music? This will
make your marketing easier. But also if someone else is to sell you
they too need to be able to pick up on your USP
(unique selling point).
2nd – your marketing
tool
When approaching music agents you
must have put together a promotional pack. This must include a
professional photo, good demo CD, information about your act and
full repertoire list.
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Image. A good
strong image is important. This is what will make the agent and
their clients want to listen to you. This can be anything from a
novelty costume to you looking beautiful. As long as it fits your
music and the events you want to do this is fine. You must have a
good quality professional photo. This may initially cost a bit extra but will pay back in
dividends.
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Demo CD. This
must be extremely high quality with 3 – 5 tracks. This must sound
professional with no mistakes. If this is not up to the standard of
the other musicians it will be rejected immediately. If vocals are
present they must be excellent. Your choice of music is also
important for your demo. A variety of the best and most exciting
songs in your repertoire appropriate for the events that you wish to
do. This along with your photo will be your strongest marketing
tool.
Ø
Promotional Pack.
This should be put together
clearly and smartly. You do not have to spend lots of money on it
but you must take it seriously. Again this is their first image they
will have of you.
3rd –
Contacting Agents
Stand out from the rest! Once
you have completed everything you are ready to contact the music
agencies you would like to work for. See what acts they have already
on their books and be able to offer them something different. Then
give them a call! Speak to the person that is in charge of taking on
artists and tell them about yourselves. This is your first point of
contact with them so make sure you are confident and knowledgeable
about what you do, what the agency does and the services you may
have to offer them. If you have been through the other stages
discussed you will not find this difficult. Get this right they will
ask you to send them your promotional pack. So make sure it is ready
to go so you can send it out immediately. Wait a few days, give them
a call to check that it has arrived and then ask them if you can
call them in a week to see what they think.
It could be that some agents
are happy to receive promotional material by email. Which is good as
this obviously saves you a lot of money.
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