Managers and Publicists

• A manager runs the business side of your music: planning releases and tours, dealing with labels, agents and publishers, and handling the money.
• A management agreement usually covers all your entertainment work unless you agree to leave some out.
• A manager takes a share of what you earn, so managers look for acts that already earn money.

Source: Arts Law and Simpsons Solicitors, management agreement fact sheet.

• Commission is usually 10 to 20% of your gross income. Check what comes off before the commission is worked out, such as recording costs, tour support and venue costs.
• Agreements often run three or four years, with options to extend that depend on results like a record deal or an income target.
• After the agreement ends, the manager often keeps a smaller share of income from work done during it for two to five years, going down each year.
• A key-person clause lets you leave if the person you signed with leaves the company.
• Ask for limits on what the manager can spend without asking you, and for your money to be held in a trust account.

Source: AMIN legal pack, free from Arts Law and Simpsons Solicitors.

• Managers don't need a licence in NSW, but they must follow the Entertainment Industry Act.
• A manager can charge more than the fee caps on agents only through a written managerial agreement that you've agreed to.
• Every management agreement has a three-day cooling-off period, ending at 5pm on the third business day. You can end it in writing in that time.
• A manager can't charge you to join, audition or stay on their books.
• Money they hold for you must go into a trust account in NSW and be paid to you within 14 days.
• Complaints go to NSW Fair Trading on 13 32 20.

Source: NSW Government, entertainment industry managerial agreement checklist.

The Association of Artist Managers keeps a public list of its members. The companies below publish how to approach them.

Some companies that call themselves artist development sell masterclasses, mentoring or release packages for an upfront fee. A manager is paid by commission.

• A publicist pitches your release to writers and outlets for reviews, interviews, features and premieres.
• A radio plugger pitches your songs and interviews to stations. Radio servicing means sending the track to stations digitally.
• Campaigns usually run four to eight weeks around a release. Start tour publicity six to eight weeks before the first date.
• Spotify's advice is to hire one once local press and some websites already cover you and you're aiming wider.

Source: Spotify for Artists, hiring a publicist.

Most publicists quote per campaign. These publish their prices.

The Sound NSW Recording, Content and Promotion grants can pay for publicity on a second or later release. Rounds are listed on the Grants page.

• Be wary of a publicist who promises coverage in a particular outlet. Editors decide what they run.
• Services that sell guaranteed playlist spots or streams break Spotify's rules. The streams earn nothing and your song can be taken down.
• NSW law bans managers from charging you to join their roster or to stay on it.

Source: Spotify, third-party services that guarantee streams.

• Put your release on Amrap, where community radio presenters find new Australian music. It's free for music released in the last twelve months.
• Pitch community radio interviews two weeks to a month before a gig or release, with streaming links. Don't attach files.
• MusicNSW has a free media contact list template.
• Pitch to Spotify's editors through Spotify for Artists at least seven days before release.
• Outlets that take releases are on the Music Press page, and stations on the Radio page.