Bands usually hire team members out of fear and/or desperation. Fear that their one option is going to be their only option, fear of missing out, fear of getting old. Desperate because there wasn’t any planning and organization, the album is coming out next week and you need to quick get a publicist.
I’m sure you have your version of this.
If I only ever get one idea through your head that you will actually adopt it is this:
TAKE MORE TIME WHEN HIRING.
Yes, the capitalization means I’m yelling. And I’m not a yeller.
Did you hire your booking agent after he came to a show and you had some drinks after? Did you hire your PR three months before releasing your album? Did you hire your manager because he/she was your “only option”?
Take more time.
I know it’s hard, but you know that feeling six months into working with your radio company when you realize “it’s just not a good fit”? You need to come to that realization before you hire them.
Isn’t this a crazy thought: Artists are afraid of taking the hiring process more seriously because they want to come off as easy going and fun, and then get upset when the person they hired doesn’t take the job seriously. Ummmm.
You’re the leader. You reap what you sow.
If you’re reading this and want to dig deeper on the subject, send me an email and come to an Artist Leadership Meeting. It’s really worth diving into.
But in the meantime I want to throw out something very practical that I hope you’ll try. And you should try it because your hiring methods are probably either non-existant or not very good. (Don’t worry, I’m guilty too)
-Have at least 4 interviews with anyone you’re thinking of adding to your team.
-Make the first one 30 minutes. Not 31 minutes. And drinks in the back hall after your show doesn’t count for anything. A 30 minute meeting where you do most of the listening and they do most of the talking.
-Make the last interview an informal dinner…with spouses. It sounds crazy, but it works. It’s a different dynamic that will draw new things out of everyone, and you’ll be able to solidify if this person is the right one to hire.
I know all this sounds weird and difficult, but just try it. If it doesn’t work, you can always go back to what you’ve always done.
Again, there’s so much more on this topic, and I think this is an area that once it’s done properly could revolutionize the music business, cause fear and desperation just don’t seem to be working.
