F.A.Q

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1. WHAT DOES THE FOCOTHEORY AGENCY DO ?

FOCOTheory is a personal management and public relations company. We act as both Manager and Publicist for our artists.



2. WHAT DOES A BAND MANAGER DO?

An artist manager, also known as a "band manager", is in charge of the business side of being in a band. Often, band members are great at the creative side of things, but aren't so great at promoting themselves, booking their own gigs, or negotiating deals. In a very general sense, the task of a manager is take care of the day to day running of the band's career, so the band can focus on the creative side of things
What Jobs Should an Artist Manager Do?

A manager is an advisor, confidant, counselor, organizer, industry 'buffer', cheerleader, protector, and 'honorary' member of the band. A manager sees things from a different perspective than the band/artist (the 'big picture,') and helps to devise a master plan that the band or artist can follow in order to achieve their goals. A manager is usually able to make difficult decisions without taking things personally. A manager plays an extremely important role in negotiations because they understand the long-term goals of the artist and can make sure that all contracts that are offered address the long-term needs of the artist, even when an attorney is involved. A manager plays a very important role in corresponding with record labels, publishers, booking agents, publicists, music media, and promoters, and in making sure that things get done on time and in the manner promised.

An artist can easily get lost in the shuffle on a large record label roster, especially if the A&R rep that signed them is no longer with the company. The manager helps keep everybody exited about the artist, including label promotion departments, distributors, radio promoters, publicists, booking agents, concert promoters, media personnel, etc. FOCO takes the role of Personal Manager that helps you build and maintain your band's company.

The jobs a manager does depends very much on the band and where they are in their careers. For an unsigned band, we:

    * Send out demos to labels, radio stations, local print media, and online publications
    * Book gigs and invite labels and the media to the shows
    * Network and talk to people about the band
    * Help book studio time
    * Explore funding opportunities for the band

For signed artists, managers should:

    * Negotiate financial deals with the label for expenses like touring and recording
    * Oversee other people working for the band, like accountants, agents, and merchandisers.


For a signed artist, the manager should be the mouthpiece of the band, and their greatest ally, making sure that everyone else involved in the band's career is doing their job and working hard to promote the band's success. For instance, the manager should be on the phone with the label, asking about advertising campaigns and then on the phone with agent asking about upcoming show opportunities.



3. WHAT DOES A PUBLICIST DO?

A publicist’s main role is to be a liaison between their client and the outside world.

Publicists create pr campaigns for their client that will promote their brand and make them more visible within their market. A publicist plays a vital role in growing an artist and their image.

So what separates the best publicists from the industry standard? The best publicist is one that can work one-on-one with their client and have consistent focus throughout the entire campaign. We are savvy professionals who are conscious of the target market and search for new ways to promote their clients.

Publicists create buzz for their clients and help them further build their brand. Regional , national, and international publications, television, and bloggers are all crucial outlets that a publicist utilizes in order to get the word out about a client.

Publicists are essentially brand managers who help their client increase their visibility and value. The main question a publicist regularly addresses is, “what makes my client press worthy?” This is the foundation of a public relations campaign. A publicist must communicate with and attract new audiences to the client. Cultivating relationships with the media is a crucial skill that we have mastered in order to gain integrity and produce results for our clients.



4. DO WE HAVE TO HAVE A CONTRACT?

In a word, YES. It doesn't have to be fancy or even supervised by a lawyer. We have a very small and easy to read contract that we ask all of our clients to sign. This just protects FOCOTHEORY and you plus it outlines our expectations for each other.


5. WHAT DO I NEED TO LOOK FOR IN A MANAGER?

Remember that you are choosing a manager while they are choosing you. You don't have to jump on board with the first manager that comes along if you're not sure that it will work. A manager is almost like a member of your band - the best management relationships click on the professional AND personal level.

Before you approach a manager, have a good idea of what you need from them. If you're trying to land a deal, then a manager who has lots of contacts at labels is a good choice for you. If you have a deal on the table and need someone to walk you through negotiations, then a manager with that sort of experience should be high on your list. Managers have lots of different styles, and some are more hands on than others. Before you try to hire someone, make sure you have an idea of the job description.


6. DO YOU CHARGE FOR YOUR SERVICE?

Yes. We charge $50 a month up front as a reimbursement for our services. There are several reasons for this small fee:

-Bands are expected to delegate and appoint business work to management, Management requires your Band to become aware of band investments/expenditures. This is an intricate step to teach the bands how to manage their band/company books.

-Management requires a minimal, and calculated reimbursement rather than a retainer in order not to "break the bank."

-Management pays for telephone, postage/packaging, and advertising that directly impacts the artist

-Management believes all Members should actively invest in their band.


7. WHEN WILL FOOCTHEORY BEGIN TAKING COMMISSION?

We commission 15% of your income once we begin working with you.


8. WHEN CAN I EXPECT TO SEE RESULTS?

We usually start seeing results inluding a larger fan base, radio play , reviews and more by month four.


9. WHAT HAPPENS IF I CHOOSE TO CANCEL THE CONTRACT?

Thirty days notice is required. If you have not finished your six months you will be required to pay the balance before the contract is canceled.


10. HOW DO I KNOW IF YOU ARE REALLY DOING YOUR JOB?

First, you will see results monthly. We also do monthly updates at the end of each month to show you what we have done that month.



11. DOES FOCOTHEORY BOOK TOURS?

Management only books incidentally. Which means, we are going to help you get gigs. The goal is to attract a licensed booking agent in your genre to place you in a quality tour. If not, we can book some shows and showcases for our artists as needed.



12. ARE THE FEES I PAY TAX DEDUCTABLE ?

Yes if you do an entire year and they reach $600 per year or more.



13. BUT I CAN'T AFFORD $50 A MONTH?

If your band is currently seeking personal management because of your workload or because you are trying to jump to the next level, you're probably already spending money on your band. The idea is to delegate expenses YOU ALREADY have to Management. Bands and Artist who are ready for personal management, are actively engaged with investments and expenses on a monthly basis because their activity is high.