{"id":19740,"date":"2022-01-18T17:47:14","date_gmt":"2022-01-18T22:47:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/splice.com\/blog\/?p=19740"},"modified":"2025-10-09T17:58:50","modified_gmt":"2025-10-09T21:58:50","slug":"build-team-music-career","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/splice.com\/blog\/build-team-music-career\/","title":{"rendered":"Why, when, and how to build a team for your music career"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Illustration:<\/strong> Lan Truong<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not everyone will tell you this, but many of the greatest long-term success stories you hear about in the music industry took a village.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You can define success on your own terms and by your own standards. It most certainly doesn’t (and perhaps shouldn’t) be defined entirely by financial goals, as we\u2019ve discussed before.<\/a> There’s money to be made in music, but the hustle will run you ragged if you\u2019re not also pursuing it for something of more value than money. To what end are you hustling for? If you\u2019re not being creatively satisfied, having fun, or working with people you enjoy, there are easier ways to earn a living.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No matter how you define success, you can only do so much in a day, week, month, or year. We all have limits on our time and energy, and then there are the mental, emotional, and physical effects of stress when we take on too much. Ultimately, it often takes delegating to grow a sustainable and healthy career. Below, we walk through the benefits of working with a team as an artist, when and who to hire, and how to spot red flags or fruitful opportunities along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why and when to hire your business team as a musician<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As a talent manager, I prefer to work with artists who feel like they\u2019ve pushed their careers as far as they can on their own, and ones who want to grow financially. I personally only get paid if the artist gets paid a minimum amount that we agree on together, making it a mutual investment. This isn\u2019t true for all managers; the terms of your deal are something to consider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I invest my time, brain space, and energy because I believe in the artists, their music, and their drive. I know that together, we can reach a certain level of growth. But a woman\u2019s gotta pay rent\u2014I need to make a financial profit at some point. Unless it\u2019s a side or pro bono project for me, I need to know that they\u2019re willing to put in the work. I also need to believe in their music and them as an artist. Only then will I put in the work required. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some signs that it\u2019s time for you to hire some help, whether it’s a general role like an assistant or manager, or a specific role like a press agent or sync rep:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. You\u2019re so busy with emails and admin that you don\u2019t have enough time for your music.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. You want to book a tour and don\u2019t know where to start.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. You have a record ready but don\u2019t know how or where to release it.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. You\u2019re in negotiation with a label or publisher and are unsure about the contract.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. You know there are opportunities to license your music to TV, film, games,<\/a> but don\u2019t know how to reach music supervisors and other decision-makers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. You know there are sponsorship opportunities available as well, and don\u2019t know what they are or where to begin.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    There are many more reasons to start building a team. In general, working with other people offers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n