How to Become a Music Promoter

Music Promoter Key Stats
Education	0-6 Months
Job Outlook	7%

Ever been to a concert and thought that you could do a great job being the person in charge? If so, you might like to become a music promoter.

Music promoters organize live music events, this could include anything from a musician playing a set at a local coffee shop, to a concert for 50,000 people, to a large music festival.

When you become a music promoter your job has many faces.

You must develop relationship with performers and entice them to play at your acts, while also having a great crew to look after things like backstage work and security.

You also need to have a keen business sense and be able to promote your events.

The music industry is very competitive.

Getting a role in promotions for a large company without any experience is pretty difficult.

To make it as a music promoter you might need to support your own cause, in the beginning at least.

Education Requirements to Become a Music Promoter

There isn’t a formal education requirement to work as a music promoter.

To succeed, you will need a really good knowledge of music and what people like to hear.

You’ll also need excellent business skills, and the ability to negotiate with venues, bands, and other parties.

Promotional skills are also a necessity.

One way to get this kind of background would be to complete a post-secondary course that covered skills in business, promotions, and marketing.

You could do this by completing a four year marketing degree, or going to a local community college.

If you don’t already have a strong knowledge of the music industry, now is the time to start learning.

Read music magazines and attend concerts.

Even if it’s not the style of music you like, it’s important to see how different kinds of events are put together.

If you can, try and secure internships with event management companies.

This will also help you gain experience, and can also lead to a paid job.

The best way to become a music promoter is to start organizing your own events.

Scout your local area for bands that are up and coming.

Go to venues like cafes and bars and see if they are interested in live events.

Look into equipment hire, and other aspects of events like security.

You might not make money the first few times around, but if you’re successful, you’ll be working as a paid music promoter in no time.

Music Promoter Job Description

When you become a music promoter, you will be responsible for coordinating live music events.

This could involve a wide range of duties.

Often you will scout for locations yourself, or sometimes be approached by an organization to manage an event for them.

You will need to have contacts with performers that you could enlist for the event.

You also need to promote your event.

This could involve TV and radio ads, flyers, or social media.

Here are some of the duties of a music promoter:

• Looking for venues for events
• Signing up performers
• Hiring backstage crew and security staff
• Organizing ticket sales
• Organizing rehearsals
• Promoting an event

Music Promoter Salary and Career Path

If you would like to become a music promoter, there is a good chance you will be self-employed.

Alternatively, you might be working for an events management company.

To get a role for another company, you will need to gain quite a bit of experience beforehand, as mentioned in the steps above.

Many music promoters work in events management for a few years, then start organizing their own events.

The salary you earn as a music promoter will vary.

In the industry if you are employed, you could earn between $30,000 and $50,000 a year depending on your skill.

When you are self-employed, you will usually earn a percentage of ticket sales, or a promoter’s fee, depending on the way you decide to run your business.

More often than not, a music promoter takes a percentage of the profit made by the event.

Here are some similar roles to that of music promoter:

• Events manager
• Public relations specialist
• Marketing executive
• Advertising manager
• Market research consultant

If you’ve got a great knowledge of music, outstanding interpersonal skills, and are a driven person then you might like to become a music promoter.

It’s certainly a challenging career path, but can also offer some great perks such as a high salary and the chance to be a part of the music industry.

The below information is based on the 2023 BLS national averages.

• Annually
• Monthly
• Hourly

* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Demonstrators and Product Promoters, OCC Code 41-9011, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a music promoter?

A music promoter is someone who promotes performances and organizes concerts for bands and artists.

A music promoter’s role is to organize the event, book the bands, negotiate fees with the bands and the agents, book venues, and advertise the gig in order to bring in as many spectators as possible and to make a profit.

A music promoter’s job also includes making sure that the performing artists have everything they need; the music promoter has to find a hotel, a rider and so on.

Music promoters are usually creative persons with great communication and business skills.

As a music promoter, you will need to understand the local music market and what type of bands the public is willing to see.

How much does a music promoter make?

Music promoters who organize large, successful events make a lot of money, while others are barely scraping by.

Usually, music promoters have a cut of the event’s profits.

Since profits aren’t guaranteed, this job can be quite risky and sometimes can be a hard way to make a living, especially if you are an independent promoter.

If you work for a venue or a larger booking company, you will have the chance to negotiate your salary with your employer.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, event planners have earned a median annual wage of $49,370, as of May 2018.

How much you will actually make as a music promoter depends on the types of events that you organize, the region where you live and your reputation.

How much does it cost to become a music promoter?

There are no strict educational requirements for music promoters but holding a bachelor’s degree in music or business can help you start a career in this field.

Tuition costs vary widely, depending on the college and the program you choose.

An out-of-state bachelor’s degree program will cost you, on average, around $25,000 at a public institution.

Another essential part of this profession is networking and participating in events where you get the chance to meet artists and potential clients.

What is the demand for music promoters?

Job opportunities for music promoters vary depending on the region.

Big cities host more events than small towns, and hence if you live in a large urban area you will have better job prospects.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for event planners, in general, is expected to grow 7 percent from 2018 to 2028.

How much does it cost to become a music promoter?

Although it is not a requirement, holding a bachelor’s degree in business, music, public relations or a related field can help you get a job in this field.

A bachelor’s degree program will typically be completed in around 4 years.

However, before being ready to organize important music events you should have a few years of experience in the field.

Getting an entry-level job in the industry will help you learn from more experienced music promoters and meet potential clients.