Music promotions manager
Music promotions managers publicise recording artists or live music events.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
As a music promoter you could:
- write press releases to publicise your client's music or tour
- organise publicity events like media interviews and personal appearances
- organise tours
- negotiate contracts
- listen to new acts and decide whether to offer them a contract
As a promoter for a live music venue you may:
- choose and book suitable acts
- deal with agents, caterers and suppliers
- arrange a full programme of gigs
- organise marketing and publicity
- arrange entertainment licences
Working environment
You could work in an office, at a recording studio or at a music venue.
Your working environment may be noisy and you'll travel often.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could move to a larger company or you could specialise in an area like legal advice.
You could work freelance, start up your own promotions company or become an artists' agent or manager.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- knowledge of media production and communication
- excellent verbal communication skills
- the ability to use your initiative
- the ability to sell products and services
- business management skills
- the ability to organise your time and workload
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- volunteering
- applying directly
Though not essential, you could do a course at university that would give you some of the skills and knowledge needed for this role. Relevant courses include:
- music business
- music industries and management
- business management
- marketing
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
More Information
You may find it useful to do a course to get an insight into the promotions industry. Courses include:
- Level 2 Certificate in Music Business Marketing and Promotion
- Level 2 Certificate in Digital Promotion for Business
- Level 3 Diploma in Live Events and Promotion
Entry requirements
You may need:
- 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
More Information
You could start by doing an Events Assistant Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, or Multi-channel Marketer Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.
With experience, you may be able to get into junior or assistant music promotions manager jobs.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
More Information
Practical experience is highly valued. To get this you could:
- find work placements with record companies or music public relations agencies
- organise and promote local gigs or festivals
- write gig reviews for local or student press, websites and social media
- volunteer with student or community radio
These activities will also allow you to build up a network of contacts, which will help when you look for paid work.
When applying for jobs or setting up on your own, you'll have an advantage if you can bring experience from related areas like sales and marketing, public relations or event organising.
Career tips
A knowledge of basic accounts and contract law could be useful.
Further information
You can get more advice about working as a music promoter and promoting yourself through Musicians' Union.
You can also find information on working in the creative industries from Discover Creative Careers.
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External links
This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.