1. Home: Explore careers
  2. Music promotions manager

Music promotions manager

Alternative titles for this job include

Music promotions managers publicise recording artists or live music events.

Average salary (a year)

£12,000 Starter

to

£60,000 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 college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • volunteering
  • applying directly

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

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 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

More Information

Volunteering

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.

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

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 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 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

Apprenticeships In England

Digital Marketing and Communications Apprentice

  • Wage: £12,480.00 Annually
  • Location: Guildford

Digital Marketing Apprentice

  • Wage: £146.25 Weekly
  • Location: Hyde
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Level 1 Music Production and Business

  • Provider: BIG CREATIVE TRAINING LTD
  • Start date: 13 September 2021
  • Location: LONDON

Level 2 Music Production and Business

  • Provider: BIG CREATIVE TRAINING LTD
  • Start date: 13 September 2021
  • Location: LONDON
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Search further careers

Related careers

Skills assessment

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

Speak to an adviser

Call 0800 100 900 or use webchat

  • 8am - 8pm Monday - Friday
  • 10am - 5pm Saturday

Is this page useful?

Yes No

Thank you for your feedback.

Thank you for your feedback. Click here if you'd like to let us know how we can improve the service.