Artist management. It’s one of the most misunderstood concepts in the music industry. If you’re an independent artist, you’ve probably said it yourself: “I just need a manager to help me get out there.” But what if the thing you think you need most is actually the last piece of the puzzle? Every day, artists fill out our submission form and list “artist management” as their top priority. But here’s what many don’t realize: management isn’t about building the career from the ground up it’s about maintaining and scaling an already moving machine.
Artist Management vs Artist Development: What You Actually Need to Build Your Career
Managers don’t create momentum they manage it. That means if you don’t already have branding, content, releases, audience engagement, revenue streams, or even basic media presence in place, there’s very little for a manager to manage. And that’s not a criticism it’s a call to structure your business first.
Why Artists Confuse Management With Development
The reason this confusion exists is because artists are often overwhelmed. They finish a project, don’t know the next steps, and believe a manager is the person who will “figure it out” for them. But management is not a shortcut it’s not a replacement for building your foundation. It’s what happens after the foundation is built.
Think of it like this: You wouldn’t expect to be hired by a law firm before going to law school. You wouldn’t start performing surgeries before becoming a doctor. Those professions require structure, investment, mentorship, and long-term preparation. Music is no different it’s a business. And just like any business, it needs to be developed before it can be managed.
What You Should Focus On First
Instead of asking, “Where can I find a manager?” ask: “What can I do to build something worth managing?” That means getting serious about:
- Artist development: Your sound, your identity, your message.
- Content creation: Music videos, photoshoots, lyric visuals, and branding.
- Digital presence: Website, social media, streaming platforms, and visibility.
- Press and media: Interviews, write-ups, publicist outreach, and credibility.
- Audience growth: Building your fanbase through content, email, and engagement.
- Revenue streams: Merchandise, publishing, royalties, live shows, licensing.
Once these areas are active and showing results, a manager can step in and help you scale. But without them, a manager would be trying to push an artist who hasn’t put anything in motion which rarely leads to success.
This Is Where We Come In
At CSP Music Group, we guide artists through the essential steps that come before management. From development to branding, promotion to public relations, our goal is to help you build a business around your music because music is a business. And when that business has structure, growth, and direction, management becomes a logical next step not a desperate first one.
With over 25 years in the industry, our CEO Dr. Christopher Starr leads a team of seasoned professionals who know how to turn independent artists into serious contenders. We don’t just offer advice we offer infrastructure, support, and a proven process designed to move you forward.
What to Do Next
If you’re ready to stop waiting for someone to manage your career and start building it yourself, your next move is simple. Just click the button below to fill out our Artist Submission Form. Once we receive it, our team will review your information and reach out to schedule a consultation.