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Music promotions manager

Alternative titles for this job include

Music promotions managers publicise recording artists or live music events.

Average salary (a year)

£24,000 Starter

to

£65,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

38 to 40 variable

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays away from home

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a music promotions manager

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • volunteering
  • applying directly

University

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

College

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

Apprenticeship

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

Volunteering

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.

Direct Application

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.

More 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.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

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

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

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

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

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.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

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Courses In England

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