Joanne Marcano (AKA "FocusedDiva")

March 16, 2010

The first time I saw this photo, I thought “Artist and Manager relationship”. (Don’t ask me how I did that. Lol.)

Can you tell which one is the ARTIST and which one is the MANAGER?

ARTISTS (and this applies to DJs, PRODUCERS, etc. too): Have you ever felt like you’ve wanted to put a rope around your Management/Representation and wrangle them back to their role? Have you had Management who was acting like they were more the Artist than YOU?

Well you’re not alone. I’ve heard a million stories about this and I witness many Management DO NOTS every day.

This is the way I see it…

ARTISTS: In any Management relationship you’re supposed to feel like you’re Number One. It doesn’t matter if your Management has TWO clients or TWENTY clients, you are entitled to feel like the MAIN PRIORITY.

MANAGERS: the majority of your role is behind the scenes. It’s the ground work; the phone calls and building the foundation so your Client has a long and effective career. Sometimes you play the role of mother, father, brother, sister, therapist, bail bondsman (hey, it happens!), etc., but its supposed to be a trusting relationship. Managers have to be comfortable enough to know that their own spotlight may not come unless their Clients do well. But what’s wrong with that? Anyway, whether you’re a Suge Knight or P. Diddy type of Manager, know that as long as you represent an Artist or DJ, THEY ARE THE PRIORITY.

So Artists, when seeking a Manager make sure that - whether they have a full time job or not - YOU always feel like you’re the prize pig (I mean that as a positive and encouraging term).

Lastly, before moving to the work, Manager and Client, make sure you both feel like you can trust each other. You’re going into a marriage (so to speak), so both of you have to do your part to maintain a strong relationship. Above all, don’t forget: HAVE A CONTRACT AGREEMENT!