Music Promotions Manager

Typical Salary

£12,000 To £60,000

Typical Hours

38 to 40 variable

evenings / weekends / bank holidays away from home

How To Become a Music Promotions Manager

You can get into this job through:

a college course
an apprenticeship
volunteering
applying directly

College / University

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

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

Apprenticeship

You could start by doing an intermediate or advanced apprenticeship in live events promotion. You could also do a digital marketer advanced apprenticeship.

some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Routes into this Career

Routes into this Career are not listed for this job.

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.

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

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 carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Day To Day Tasks

As a music promoter your day-to-day duties may include:

writing press releases to publicise your client's music or tour
organising publicity events like media interviews and personal appearances
going to publicity events with clients
getting airtime on radio and TV shows
networking with contacts in the music industry
organising tours
dealing with designers, printers and marketing staff
negotiating contracts
listening to new acts and deciding whether to offer them a contract

As a promoter for a live music venue your day-to-day duties may include:

choosing and booking suitable acts
dealing with agents, caterers and suppliers
arranging a full programme of gigs
identifying suitable audiences
organising marketing and publicity
arranging 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 & Progression

Career Path & Progression are not listed for this job.

Volunteering Opportunities

Practical experience is highly valued. You could get this by:

finding work placements with record companies or music public relations agencies
organising and promoting local gigs or festivals
writing gig reviews for local or student press, websites and social media
volunteering 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.

Tips & Information

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.

Restrictions & Requirements

Restrictions & Requirements are not listed for this job.