Music promotions manager

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

• equivalent entry requirements
• funding advice
• search for courses

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

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

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.

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.

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

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

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.