What does a music manager do day-to-day?

I’m curious about what it’s like to be a music manager. What are the main tasks and responsibilities they handle? Is this a career that could offer stable opportunities after high school or college?

A music manager, often referred to as an artist manager, essentially serves as the head of an artist's professional life. They take on a variety of roles and responsibilities, making sure the artist's day-to-day activities align with both their short-term and long-term career goals.

Typically, a music manager's tasks might include:

1. Career Planning: This involves working closely with the artist to develop a strategically sound path forward. They'll assess the artist's strengths, opportunities for growth, and the overall industry climate to make decisions on album releases, touring schedules, and promotional activities.

2. Coordinating with Other Professionals: A music manager will coordinate with other professionals like booking agents, record label executives, publicists, and more. For instance, if an artist is launching an album, the manager will work with the record label to set a release date and coordinate promotional activities.

3. Negotiating Contracts: They're often involved in negotiating various deals, such as record contracts, event appearances, or sponsorship deals. They need to ensure these agreements are in the artist's best interest.

4. Problem Solving: Managers handle day-to-day challenges and crises that may come up, from schedule conflicts to larger image-related issues.

As for career stability, the music industry can be both rewarding and challenging. Success largely depends on the artist's success, but a good manager can also cultivate a diverse roster of talent to help ensure ongoing work. Having a firm understanding of the music industry, and possibly a degree in music business or management, can certainly give you an added advantage.

Just remember that this field requires a lot of networking and hard work, especially in the beginning. But if you have a love for music and a knack for business, then being a music manager could definitely be a viable career route.