How do I manage a recording artist?

[shawn]

I have a few friends that sing and rap but they are just local or not out there at all and would like to be. How do I go about managing them and getting them known?

Plus what all does a mangers job consist of and how do they get paid?

I know a lot of talented people who I believe I could really help out but I don't know exactly where to start.

Do I just promote the artist, Set up studio time, and Book shows for them?

I'm also interested in starting my own label but I don't know where to start.

[Lucy]

First you'll have to get some funds but in the meantime, create a Facebook page, twitter, instagram, website etc. Share these pages through your own and their facebook. If they are school, college, uni aged ask someone if you can put up a poster about them. Get them to play free gigs and go around to different venues i.e. (if they are appropriate) schools, churches, uni gardens, you could even try busking...

Once you have raised a reasonable amount, hire out a recording studio for a few hours. Make sure you are completely prepared so that you can use your time well. Have all the songs ready to go and everything. Make a few demo CD copies and send them to places such as clubs to get your music out there. You can post your songs on website where people can download them (sometimes for free). I think you can also upload to iTunes if you make an artists account on there.

Try and get them shows and hand out a few free demo CDs at your first gigs to get their name out there. You could work for whatever pay you choose I guess. I would either rent out an office space or work from a home study if you want to start your own record label, you would have to spend a bit on advertising though, have some auditions and pick people you believe have talent.

YOu are going to have to put quite a bit of money into this but if you are successful you won't regret it. Also I think that you get some of the money each time a song is sold.