Managing and Encouraging the Aritst

I recently had a conversation with a professional in the entertainment industry. The topics we discussed were managing and encouraging the artist, and also issues concerning wants and needs of career goals. The professional, Sarah Zilch, had much to say on the topic of industry business. She was very informative on the issue of incorporating these topics into healthy management.

Sarah said, “It is important to remember, you are working with people whose hearts are worn on sleeves”. There is so much passion behind the dreams and talents of these individuals. It is one’s job, as a manager, to deliver quality service while defending the soul behind the song. I am responsible for understanding the wants and needs of the artist in order to reach career goals. I have to understand my client as a professional and a friend. I also have to understand when to separate the two. Most managers do not reach success because they concern themselves heavily with the friendship side of the relationship instead of maintaining a healthy balance between friendship and a business relationship. Sarah said, “See and understand the line between the two”. I have to find the line between helping an artist reach dreams and pushing the artist to be their best.

Sarah explained a key term: mutual benefit. It is explained as being, “you get what you want, and I get what I want”. Mutual benefit is something that can be incorporated in any situation: business, personal, even relationships. In the entertainment industry, everything is about making profit while producing quality entertainment. Mutual benefit is not something to hide. The idea can sometimes have a negative connotation, but it must be incorporated in negotiations. This is an idea that shouldn't be over-looked when discussing the issue of managing and encouraging the artist. It is important to remember that not only am I, as a manager, trying to make a profit but also I am working with someone’s career, dreams, and aspirations.

Sarah also mentioned that managers and agents should be encouraging the artist to follow after their dreams by incorporating their aspirations into their social media. She mentioned that the world is basically looking at you and forming their opinion based upon the reputation portrayed on the Internet. Sarah believes that helping an artist, or anyone looking to build their reputation, advertise their dreams, wants and needs on the social media outlets will only benefit because the dreamer will now be held accountable by his/her fans. The majority of social media is running on Facebook and Twitter in this day- “don’t take this opportunity to build your audience for granted”, says Sarah.