What are the key steps to building a strong relationship with a music artist?

First I must say there are many ways. Here's something to pay attention, however. From the perspective of artist management and what an artist needs is knowledge, the ability to facilitate their career, and suitable resources - such as a functional network. The next step involves mapping out personal drivers, such as motivation, values, and connecting factors, among others. If this stage also feels promising, then the process of getting to know each other begins, and it's worthwhile to invest. The length of this period is always individual, aiming to clarify the content and concept of potential collaboration. What the artist needs is trust and the assurance that the collab will not be jeopardized in the future. Determining this is step one.

I was part of an original act in upstate NY close to Plattsburgh across Lake Champlain from Burlington, VT. Elektra was in Burlington then. They had signed Phish and they were getting ready to tour. My partner and I met in a cover band. Soon we discovered we were both songwriters. We got together. It took 3 years of near constant gigging and putting half page ads in one of the local newspapers. The other papers picked up on us and soon Elektra was scouting us. Somebody got one of my home recordings onto a jukebox in Lake Placid. We headlined and filled a college stadium. Turns out my partner didn't want to tour. No signing. My vision seemed like it was understood. Ouch. Lesson learned. It's so very important to be on the same page.

Usually, if you are a people person and has no problem making new friends, you should be fine. However, there are a few things that makes it easier for artists to trust and understand you: 1- Be transparent and honest about your intentions and don't play games to get them to do something they might not want to do. 2- Make an effort to explain how things work from a business perspective. It's not unusual for someone in the industry to treat an artist like a kid. If you teach them terms and things about the business they didn't know, they'll trust you. 3- Learn an instrument: the best way to understand their language, is to understand music.

Establish transparent communication, grasp their artistic vision, and prioritize mutual respect. It's a symbiotic alliance in which trust and creative alignment serve as the foundation for a strong and long-lasting relationship with a music artist.

You have to really be a good listener so you get them. You are helping them be the Brand they want to build, so listen carefully. Their influences are not where they will ultimately land so keep an open mind and think of their vision. Does it sync with yours ? Are you going to get along ? If you ask the hard questions now you will avoid misunderstandings later on.

I am a former band leader who had back-ups for his back-ups and managed to keep the band going for a decade or longer. Communication played a major role in securing bookings. We played CBGB's in NYC, World Cafe' Live, Love Park, Boathouse Row and more in Philadelphia, various other places such as Dewey Beach, DE, including a live radio appearance. and much, much more... Puck in Doylestown, PA was special. We were pretty good at our communication skills, yet there were glaring huge problems that held us back from becoming bigger than we were. Returning calls about last minute fill in bookings very promptly is one of the keys to success and we pulled it off a few times and we lost out even more often due to slow responding.

I am a handshake or promise is my word and I will honor it every time I give it. I have been on the other side of this. In the business of music, building relationships is a huge part of what you're going to be working on. Press, record labels, other bands, booking agents and on and on... If you give your word you better be almost dead in a hospital, which once happened to me and before it was done I was trying to talk the drummer into not canceling this, in my opinion as leader, very important gig. I have performed with pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections and other troubles. We once drove 20 miles through a blizzard and did a show as promised. This type of dedication to keeping one's promises is what you need to be ready to for.

Artists need different assistance in different seasons of their career. It's important to understand what types of introductions and assistance would be most useful for them. For example, someone who has a solid social media presence who is trying to establish themselves as a working songwriter or producer may need introductions to other writers and sessions arranged for them. Someone who is already established as a writer or producer may need more help with developing their public-facing brand. Your job as a talent representative is to fill in the gaps rather than just assist with things the artist can already do themselves.