Music promotions manager
Music promotions managers publicise recording artists and live music events and advise performers on how best to promote themselves.
- Starter salary£25,000 a year
- Experienced£60,000 a year
- Typical hours38 to 44 a week
What you'll do
As a music promoter, you could:
- write press releases to publicise your client's music or tour
- co-ordinate publicity events like media interviews and personal appearances
- organise tours, including travel and accommodation
- negotiate contracts
- keep track of emerging talent
- offer advice on how artists can market themselves across different media
- work closely with merchandisers, legal teams and music publishers
As a promoter for a live music, you could:
- choose and book artists and bands
- deal with agents, caterers and suppliers
- arrange a full programme of gigs
- organise marketing and publicity
- apply for entertainment licences
Working environment
You could work in an office, at a recording studio or at a music venue.
Your working environment may be noisy and you'll travel often.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- knowledge of media production and communication
- excellent verbal communication skills
- the ability to use your initiative
- the ability to sell products and services
- business management skills
- the ability to organise your time and workload
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
How to become a music promotions manager
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- volunteering
- applying directly
University
Though not essential, you could do a course at university that would give you some of the skills and knowledge needed for this role.
Courses include:
- music business
- music industries and management
- business management
- marketing
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
College
You may find it useful to do a college course to get an insight into the music promotions industry, for example:
- music business
- digital promotion for business
- events management
- T Level in Marketing
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
Apprenticeship
You could start by doing an Event Assistant Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, or Multi-channel Marketer Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
Volunteering
Practical experience is highly valued. To get this you could:
- find work placements with record label companies or public relations agencies, specialising in music
- organise and promote local gigs or festivals
- write gig reviews for local or student press, websites and social media
- volunteer with student or community radio
These activities will also allow you to build up a network of contacts, which can help when you look for paid work.
Direct application
When applying for jobs or setting up on your own, you'll have an advantage if you can bring experience from related areas like sales and marketing, public relations or event organising.
With experience, you may be able to get into junior or assistant music promotions manager jobs.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could move to a larger record label or music publishing company, or specialise in an area like contracts, copyright or events management.
You could also work freelance, start up your own promotions company or become an artists' agent or manager.
Career tips
This role can be wide ranging, working with a lot of different people. Good negotiating skills are key, alongside a basic knowledge of accounting, contract law and marketing.
Enthusiasm for music and different genres is essential.
Guides for this industry
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