Most artists hire in the wrong order and pay for it. The sequence matters because each team member protects a different part of your career. Build the foundation before adding the spotlight.
The Right Hiring Order
First, the lawyer — before you sign anything, you need protection. Second, the manager — once you have momentum worth managing and revenue worth organizing. Third, the publicist — when you have a story and product worth amplifying. Add a booking agent when live demand outgrows your own outreach. Each hire should pay for themselves through the opportunities or protection they provide.
Build the team in order and every member strengthens the structure. Skip steps and the whole thing wobbles when pressure hits.
The unsung fourth hire is the business manager or accountant. While the lawyer protects you, the manager organizes you, and the publicist promotes you, the business manager makes sure money actually reaches you and taxes do not destroy you. Hire one as soon as revenue gets complicated — which happens faster than most artists expect. Use trial periods for every team member: a three-month working trial with clear deliverables beats a five-year commitment to the wrong person. Define communication expectations upfront, like weekly check-ins and monthly financial reports, because most team breakups come from silence, not malice. The right team multiplies you. The wrong team divides you. Choose slowly and deliberately.
Hire slowly and define everything in writing, from deliverables to communication rhythms. Use trial periods with clear milestones before committing long-term. Add the business manager as soon as revenue gets complicated, because tax surprises destroy more careers than bad reviews.
About the Author – Ruben Burgos: Ruben Burgos brings over 25 years of music expertise and more than 15 years of model guidance to the table. He is the indie major pinnacle to retaining credits for musicians and helping them navigate this wicked industry without the fuckery.