 By this Tuko from MusicIDTV and this is Use The News. So I got a request to do a video on dealing with managers. Now a lot of us either have had managers, want a manager or currently have a manager and may be a little confused on what they should be doing and what we should be expecting from them. So I decided to do a video on this kind of breaking down six things that a manager should be doing. And if they aren't doing those things, kind of a couple of tips on how you might want to let them go. So let's get into it. Number one, a manager should be building relationships. If they don't have relationships already, they should be building relationships, building up a network with people to help you advance your career. So this can consist of producers, photographers, industry execs, booking agents, show promoters, whomever has some sort of access to something you may need to further your career. Managers should either have those relationships or be building those relationships on a very consistent basis because you're going to need those people to get to your goal. So hopefully your manager is one of those people out there who knows how to make relationships. If you aren't one of those, you really need a manager like that. So that's number one. Number two, gaining exposure for you. So your manager should be having you out at events, whether it be industry events, whether it be shows, things that'll get you around your peers and kind of just socializing with your peers at these sort of events. They can also just be recreational things that happen. Sometimes people do Sunday fundays that consist of people who are in the industry, things like that nature where you can build genuine relationships with people who you need to be connecting with. And your manager should be trying to foster these situations for you to be able to make this happen. Number three, helping you set and achieve your goals. A manager should be helping you construct your vision. So if you say that you want to be on some singing competition or some show like that, then your manager should be hard at work figuring out what steps are needed for you to be able to achieve that specific thing. Especially if you all agree that that would be the best thing for your career at the time being your manager is the one who you kind of say, Hey, I want to do this and your manager is supposed to figure out how, but also be mindful they aren't just some genie making your wishes come true. They are people and it does take steps. So you have to also be patient with them doing this. Another thing is if you are working with a team, your manager should be the point person orchestrating your team to help you achieve your goals in the end. They're kind of like the general manager or CEO of your business and you are the owner. So think about it in that light. Number four, a manager should be a business partner. A manager should be empathetic to an artist and their art and their process, but also be looking for opportunities to bring notoriety to that art through good business decisions and business deals. Consider them a business partner. They should always be looking at where can I find the best deal, find the best opportunity for what it is my artist is doing. Number five, financing. Now a lot of people look for managers who have deep pockets that they don't have a deep network, but I will say this, you want to be very careful when it comes to this, because if you have any inkling that you might be wanting to go to another manager in the some way shape or form, it'll get a little bit shaky when your manager has invested tons of money in your career thus far. So as much as this might seem like a cool thing, people get a little entitled when they feel like they've invested so much in you. So I would kind of steer a little clear of this if you can, unless it's really the right situation. And you think that this manager will make good on the things that they're promising and it won't be shaky relationships with all things are really hard to judge, especially when money gets involved. So look to try and figure out ways you guys can find financing rather than the manager financing your career. I would suggest that. Number six, a manager should not be driving the car. This is your career. You are at the wheel. Remember, nobody's going to want this more than you. Nobody's going to care as much about your career as you do. So stay loyal to your dreams and make sure you are always at the wheel of your career. And number seven, let's say you want to let a manager go. Let's say a manager isn't doing these things. We just kind of went over. There are also other things that they can do. There's other breakdowns that I've seen, but based off of my personal experience, these are things that I've worked with on managers and they've done these things or they've helped foster these things. So if they are not doing these things, you might want to consider taking a manager out to lunch, letting them know what you feel is not happening, what you really would like to happen and be honest and ask them, do they feel that they have the capacity to make this happen? If you're dealing with somebody who's an honest person, they'll be candid with you. And if you are dealing with somebody who is not an honest person, you pretty much have put their back to the law with what your expectations are and what they should be delivering on. So the truth will come out either way because results are results. So pay attention to that. Also be mindful of signing anything with a manager. Manager contracts can be pretty bad at certain instances. You want to get a lawyer to look it over and make sure it's the best thing for you. One suggests doing that from the very start and also consider the fact that if you do work with a manager, they might need at least a year to really get a feel for the way you work, to get a feel for how that works with what they want to accomplish for you and then begin to build from there. So it could take up to a year. I suggest giving a manager 10 months to a year to show you some sort of results for your career. But let us know your thoughts in the comment section below. What do you feel I left out that a manager should be doing? I'll definitely be in the comment section responding to those opinions because I'd like to see what your expectations are. I mean, we want to have realistic expectations because that makes us better when we work with people if we can manage our expectations. So let us know your expectations of a manager in the comment section below. Be on that. Once again, I am Tuko. 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