Most artists hire a manager too early, not too late. If you have no music out, no shows, and no motion, a manager has nothing to manage. The first real sign you are ready is that opportunities are coming faster than you can handle them. When you are missing emails, double booking yourself, and leaving money on the table because you cannot keep up, that chaos is the job description for a manager.
The second sign is that people are asking who your manager is. Venues, promoters, brands, and other artists take you more seriously when a professional speaks for you. If you are negotiating your own deals and getting lowballed because you look like you have no team, a manager changes the dynamic overnight. Perception is leverage in this business.
The third sign is that your income can support one. A manager typically takes fifteen to twenty percent of your gross earnings. If fifteen percent of your income is not enough to keep a good manager interested, you are not ready. Build the revenue first, then bring in the person who multiplies it. Hiring a manager you cannot pay leads to resentment on both sides.
Look for a manager with real relationships and a track record, not just big talk. Ask who they have worked with, what deals they closed, and talk to their past clients. The right manager believes in your vision, tells you the truth, and works harder than you do. When the signs line up, move fast. A great manager at the right time can change your whole trajectory.
If you are turning down shows because you have no time to book them, if brands email and you answer three weeks late, if every day feels like putting out fires instead of making music, the answer is yes. A manager buys back your time so you can do the one thing only you can do. Create.
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.