Contact a Music Manager :
the complete guide 2026
When to look for a music manager, how to prepare your dossier, where to find the right contacts and which email to send — everything an artist independent artist needs to know contact a music manager effectively.
What does a music manager do?
A music manager is an artist's strategic partner. Their role is to structure, develop and protect the artistic career — not to replace the artist's work, but to amplify it.
What a music manager does
- Defines the long-term career strategy
- Manages relationships with labels, publishers and bookers
- Negotiates contracts and fees
- Coordinates the teams (press officer, booker, etc.)
- Structures the release and touring schedule
- Identifies commercial opportunities (sync, brand deals)
What a music manager doesn't do
- Create the music for you
- Build your fanbase from scratch
- Replace a press agent or booker
- Manage your accounting (role of the accountant)
- Guarantee you a contract with a label
When to contact a music manager: the signs you're ready
This is one of the most important questions. Contact a music manager Approaching too early is counterproductive — a manager invests their time and network in projects that already have momentum.
| Indicator | Recommended minimum threshold | Why it’s important |
|---|---|---|
| Streams Spotify monthly streams | 1,000–5,000+ streams/month | Demonstrates an existing audience |
| Published releases | At least 1 single distributed | Shows the project exists |
| Social presence | Active account + regular content | Credibility and consistency |
| Professional photos | At least 3 HD photos | Defined artist image |
| Tangible project | Release, tour or music video underway | Something to develop |
| Bio and positioning | Clear bio in 150 words | The manager must understand who you are |
The rule: one music manager is not there to build your project — they are there to amplify it. If you have nothing to show, start developing the project independently before seeking a manager. See our guide: promote your music.
How much does a music manager take: actual commission rates
Before contact a music manager, understand the business model. The manager is paid on commission — not a fixed salary.
| Type of manager | Standard commission | On which income | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior manager | 10-15% | Artist gross income | For projects in development |
| Established manager | 15-20% | Live shows, royalties, merch, sync | French industry standard |
| International manager | 20-25% | All revenues + sometimes an advance | For artists with strong traction |
| Post-contract commission | Variable 15–20% | Revenue generated during the contract | Peut s'appliquer même après rupture |
Red flag: tout music manager qui demande un paiement initial fixe (honoraires, "frais de dossier", "frais de mise en place") n'est pas un manager professionnel standard. Le modèle normal est la commission sur les revenus générés.
Where to find a music manager: the right channels
Music industry trade fairs
Les meilleures occasions de contact a music manager en personne. MaMA Festival (Paris, octobre), Printemps de Bourges (pro), BIS de Nantes (janvier), Trans Musicales de Rennes. Ces événements réunissent managers, labels, tourneurs et bookers — une journée peut valoir des mois de démarchage à froid.
LinkedIn target by portfolio
LinkedIn permet de rechercher des managers selon les artistes qu'ils représentent. Cherchez "music manager France" ou "manager musical [genre]" et consultez leur portfolio avant de contact a music manager. Envoyez une demande de connexion avec une note personnalisée courte.
Recommendations from your network
La majorité des collaborations entre artistes et managers se font par recommandation. Un attaché de presse, un booker ou une agency comme Beathoven peut vous mettre en relation avec des managers adaptés à votre projet. Le réseau est le canal le plus efficace pour contact a music manager.
Facebook groups and artist communities
Les groupes Facebook d'artistes indépendants, les forums Soundcloud et les communautés Discord musicales permettent de trouver des managers débutants ou mid-level qui cherchent de nouveaux projets. Moins prestige mais plus accessible pour contact a music manager en début de carrière.
Prepare your dossier before contacting a music manager
Before contact a music manager, votre dossier doit être complet. Un manager reçoit des dizaines de demandes — un dossier incomplet est ignoré.
| Élément du dossier | Format | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Artist bio | 150 mots clairs | Essential |
| Spotify link | Profil + single | Essential |
| Link YouTube | Clip ou lyric video | Essential |
| HD photos | 3 minimum, 300dpi | Essential |
| Stats Spotify for Artists | Screenshot | Highly recommended |
| Plan de développement | 1 page max | Highly recommended |
| Prochaines sorties / projets | Calendrier court | Recommended |
| Références médias obtenues | Articles, passages radio | Recommended |
The perfect email to contact a music manager
The email is the first point of contact. It should be short, personalised and professional. Here is the template used by artists who get responses.
Hello, [Prénom du manager],
I noticed you represent [Artiste de leur portfolio] — our music targets the same audience and I think your approach would suit my project.
I am [Artist's First Name], [genre in 3 words] based in [Ville]. My latest single '[Title]' [Date] — [1 chiffre ou fait notable : X streams, article dans Y, passage radio Z].
I'm seeking support for [objectif précis : structurer les prochaines sorties / développer le booking / préparer un EP].
🎧 Listen: [Spotify Link]
📋 Full press kit: [Google Drive Link]
Thank you for your time. I'm available to talk at your convenience.
[Prénom] — [Instagram] — [Email]
The 3 email rules: under 150 words, one personalised sentence proving you know the manager, and a clear objective. A generic email sent to 30 managers = 0 replies. A personalised email sent to 5 well-targeted managers = several replies.
Manager, booker, press officer: who does what?
Before contact a music manager, clarify whether you are actually looking for a manager — or another professional.
| Professional | Main role | Remuneration | When to get one |
|---|---|---|---|
| Music manager | Overall career strategy | 15–20% commission | Project with existing momentum |
| Booker | Organises concerts and tours | 10–15% of live fees | When you want to play live |
| Press officer | Media and press relations | Flat fee per campaign | For each release |
| Agency for promotion | Radio, playlists, digital | Flat fee per campaign | For each track release |
| Music publisher | Administers publishing rights | 50% of publishing rights | For sync placements and publishing |
Mistakes that make managers ignore your enquiry
❌ Contacting without personalisation
A generic mass-sent email is recognised immediately. To contact a music manager effectively, mention at least one artist from their roster and explain why your project would suit them.
❌ Contacting too early
An artist with no releases, no stats and no online presence has nothing to offer a manager. Contact a music manager before having existing momentum is premature.
❌ Email too long
A 500-word email with your full artistic history will never be read. To contact a music manager, keep it under 150 words with a single clear objective.
❌ Inflating your numbers
Managers check Spotify for Artists stats and your socials. Lying about your numbers to impress will immediately destroy your credibility with any music manager serious professional.
🎯 Beathoven helps you structure your approach.
Before contacting a music manager, build your visibility and your social proof. Beathoven coordinates your music promotion so you arrive with the right figures.
Free analysis of my project →FAQ — Contacting a music manager
For contact a music manager : 1) Prepare a complete dossier — bio, Spotify/YouTube links, photos, stats. 2) Find contacts via industry events, LinkedIn, Groover or your network. 3) Send a short email (max 150 words) personalised to the manager's portfolio. 4) Wait 7–10 days before following up once. A music manager professional is paid on commission (15–20%) — beware of any upfront payment.
The right time to contact a music manager : is when you have tracks released on Spotify, an active presence on socials, an early engaged fanbase and concrete projects. A manager isn't there to build a project from scratch — they amplify a project that already has direction. Start by promoting your music before looking for a manager.
A music manager A manager typically takes between 15% and 20% of the artist's gross income — gigs, royalties, merchandising, sync. Emerging managers may accept 10–15% for projects in development. The commission applies to all revenue generated during the contract term. Beware managers who ask for a fixed upfront payment — this is not the standard model.
For finding a music manager as a beginner: industry events (MaMA Festival, Printemps de Bourges, BIS in Nantes) are the best places. LinkedIn lets you target managers based on their portfolio. Groover helps get you noticed by industry professionals. Recommendations from other artists or promotion teams remain the most effective channel.
No — a music manager A professional is paid solely on commission (15-20% of revenues). They should never request an unjustified upfront payment. If a manager asks for money before having delivered results, that is a red flag. See also: CNM resources on management contracts.
Additional resources
Find a music label
How to approach labels in 2026.
Read →Find a booker
Develop your on-stage and live presence.
Read →Promote your music
10 complete levers 2026.
Read →Send your music to the media
Method and tools 2026.
Read →360° music promotion
Radio, press, playlists, digital.
Discover →Digital Communication
Social media and content strategy 2026.
Read →Useful links: Groover · Feedzback · CNM · SACEM · Spotify for Artists
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