Avoid “Validation through Infrastructure.”

You’ve been working for years creating music, writing songs, playing your music live, hoping to reach people in some way with what you’re doing.   Finally, someone has expressed interest in your music.  In fact, they want to “work” with you.

This can be extremely flattering and there is no reason not to feel good about generating interest from people.  Enjoy the moment and be gracious, but be non-committal. Someone who truly wants to get involved with your career over the long haul won’t pressure you.  They should respect your need to take time and think things over.

Avoid the temptation to work with someone just because you feel it legitimizes you in a “hey I just signed with a manager/record label/agent!” sort of way. Whether it is a potential agent, record label, manager, lawyer, producer, etc.,  determine if the interested party can serve a genuine purpose in building your career.  Do you need them?  What do they bring to the table? If it is career expertise, then find out whom they have worked with.   If it’s money, then find out how they envision investing it in your career. Perhaps the amount they want to spend is encouraging but they are asking for control over your decision-making. Maybe the amount isn’t enough to be helpful.   Always ascertain what is expected in return before you agree to anything.  And remember, in business nothing is free.

These days, provided you have a strong work ethic and a fair degree of discipline, you don’t need support staff, business people etc. in order to get your career started.  That can come later if and when you need help.  By the way, you will know when you need the help – there will simply be too much for you and your band to do all by yourselves.  In short, if you have to ask yourself whether you need a manager/agent/label/lawyer etc. or not, you aren’t yet at the point where you need them.

The longer you build your own career yourself, the more you will understand the business aspects of getting your music heard.   Ultimately this will lead to smarter deal making when the right time comes because you will truly understand what the other party can (or cannot) do for you.

Knowledge is power, especially in the music business.  Learn all you can.

Tags: Career