A manager manages while you do what you’re good at. Singing your own songs. But it’s not as simple as that. You’ll have a few things to consider when you’re asking yourself this question.
The verdict is this, singers don’t need a manager to work optimally. Only when you are famous you would be in need of a manager to handle everything that there is to handle. The only type of manager you could need is a social media manager. That’s the new currency for artists and that’s what you should focus on.
Let’s first talk about how you don’t really need a conventional manager that artists needed at one point.
When You’re Famous
You’d definitely need a manager then. You’d be too busy signing autographs.
But seriously, this whole question of whether you might need a manager or not can’t be justified until you are actually famous. Most artists who are beginning don’t need them. Period.
Even artists who are earning and are in the industry find that they don’t really need a manager. They can do most of the work they’re asked for by themselves.
What You Might Need Instead
If you’re a singer who is doing side gigs and auditioning for other roles as well, you might need a manager. But you’d need an agent for that.
The only time you could ever need a manager will be for your social media. If you’re going to be on the schedule to post on your socials on a regular basis then a manager is going to be amazing.
In a world where we can determine if a person is trustworthy only through the fact of how many followers they have, you know it’s important for artists as well. No social media? You’re dead. That’s the law of the jungle. That’s why you need someone to manage your socials.
Social media is a different beast altogether and if you can afford to have someone to manage for you from the beginning then that is something you should definitely do.
If you can find someone as passionate as you are for your craft then you will be able to not just boost your social media presence with your manager but also help them grow. A good social media manager will also encourage you to do better and where to improve, giving you statistics about your reach and how your music is performing.
Don’t grow jealous if they manage a few people at a time. A good manager will know how to manage that as well.
See, having a manager is an addition, not a solution. You still need to have singing prowess to show the world what you’re capable of. Whether in the format of a song or anything else.
Or, You Have a Touring Band
Unless you have an album out with a band and are in search of gigs and you know you have some following or if everyone is committed to making touring work. That’s when you might need a manager for a band but even, in that case, it won’t be just for the singer.
The Question is Slightly Off
If you’re reading this in the hopes of finding just an answer then it’s fine. Because in reality, a singer who needs a manager won’t go scouring the internet to answer that question.
Why?
Because the situation would be such that the singer won’t be able to function without a manager, to begin with. Their schedules would demand the need for a manager and as a result, they’d already have it.
Having One Doesn’t Mean Anything
If you decide to get one anyways then your manager is not going to be doing all that much. The role of a manager per se has been dead for a while. Like the myth that you need a studio to get studio-like results.
Anything that you can think of for your manager to do need to be done by you to determine if that’s something your manager must do. You ought to learn the loops yourself before you can start delegating tasks of managing yourself to someone else.
If you fail to do this, then you are on your way to getting duped. If you throw money at someone then they will take it from you. Very happily as well.
Find It Out Yourself
If you have professional musicians in your network then you can ask them if they have a manager. If they don’t ask them why. If they do, are they just their social media manager or do they manage something else?
If the results come in that they don’t have a manager then you don’t need one either. If they do, what do they do and how can you get a slice of that deal. Because if managers are really adding value to these professional musicians’ lives then you must have every advantage as well.
If you know a band they are being managed then that’s a different game as well. If that’s the kind of manager you’re looking for you must also be the kind of musician who is getting booked. As simple as that.
Again, it’s going to be very self-evident whether or not you need a manager or not at that point.
Don’t Beat Yourself Over It
Maybe you were married to the idea of having one and you have just now realized that you may not need one at all.
That’s fine. Most musicians or singers don’t need one for a long time. You’re not any less of a singer if you don’t have one, just strive to keep getting better and better. Practice so hard that your professional life has no option but to get yourself a manager.
How to Get There?
The only way you can get yourself there is by becoming a better singer. I recommend online courses and there is a good reason why. You can read about it here.
Here is a full page dedicated to which all courses you can buy and you can read all about it and make the best decision for yourself.
Whatever you end up doing, I wish you all the best, may you be so big one day that you’ll have your own manager!