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Music promotions manager

Get publicity for bands, musicians and singers to sell records or promote live music events and tours.

Also known as: music promoter

About skillsGetting in

About the job

Salary

Source: National Careers Service

Weekly

£462

Entry level

£1,250

Experienced

Monthly

£2,000

Entry level

£5,417

Experienced

Yearly

£24,000

Entry level

£65,000

Experienced

39,000

people are currently employed

High growth

2,100 more jobs in 5 years

These figures refer to this job and similar ones with comparable skills and qualifications. They only apply to Scotland. Source: Oxford Economics

What it's like

You would get publicity for bands, musicians and singers to sell their records or promote live music events and tours.

You’d need to have huge knowledge of music and build up a network of contacts of people working in the music industry.

If you work for a record company or artist you world:

  • write press releases to publicise your client's music or tour

  • organise events like media interviews and personal appearances

  • go to publicity events with clients

  • get airtime on radio and TV shows

  • organise tours

  • deal with designers, printers and marketing staff

  • negotiate contracts

  • listen to new acts and decide whether to offer them a contract

You could also work as a promoter for a live music venue or festival.

You would:

  • choose and book suitable acts

  • deal with agents, caterers and suppliers

  • arrange a full programme of gigs

  • identify the target audiences

  • organise marketing and publicity

  • arrange entertainment licences

Your work might also involve dealing with budgets and administration.

Hours

Your working hours would vary. You might go to concerts and events at night, and deal with administration and promotional events during the day.

Environment

You would have an office base, but you will spend a lot of your time going to music venues and promotional events.

Travel

You will spend a lot of your time going to music venues and promotional events. This can involve travelling around the UK and possibly overseas, and periods staying away from home.

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Related industries

Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.

  • Creative
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Top skills

Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!

It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.

Here are some of the skills you'll need to do this job:

  • time management
  • developing a plan
  • attention to detail
  • researching
  • creative
  • written communication
  • verbal communication
  • cooperating
  • building relationships

Your skills are important

Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.

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Getting in

Explore the sections shown for more information about getting into this career.

You might have qualifications which are not shown here but will allow you access to a course. You can compare your qualifications by looking at their SCQF Level. For more information about this, check out the SCQF website.

Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.

Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:

  • Media

  • Music

  • Music Technology

  • Performance Arts

  • Skills for Work: Creative Industries

You do not need formal qualifications to enter this job but you will need experience of the music world and an industry network.

It is highly competitive.  When you apply for a job employers will expect you to have done a lot of work experience.

You can get into a Music Business, Marketing of Events Higher National Certificate (SCQF Level 7) or Higher National Diploma courses (SCQF Level 8) with National 4/5 qualifications and one to two Highers or equivalent qualifications.  

Entry to a degree (SCQF Level 9/10) usually requires National 5 qualifications and a minimum of four Highers at BBBC or above or a relevant HNC/HND.

A driving licence.

Knowledge and experience of the music industry.

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