Knowledge is power. Inspiration is fuel. As an independent artist, it is always good to polish, refresh, and learn. Encouraging stories can be quite inspirational. They give you just the right kick to spark a revolution in your own career. Likewise, knowledge about how the business works, ideas on how to promote your music this day and age, and learning a new and unique way to manage your career can keep you focused and informed. That’s why it’s so important to keep reading.
I try to read at least one book every month. In fact, that’s a new goal I started this year. Previously, it was difficult to keep up with physical books, especially since I downsized my life and moved into a tiny house. But my new Amazon Fire Tablet has saved the day. I got it on sale for about $70, and I’ve got a ton of books now. Almost every book on the market has a Kindle version and they are often a lot cheaper than the physical book. All of my books are right at my fingertips in my personal library that I can take along with me. If you’re in the market for a tablet, check out my review on the Amazon Fire HD 8 here.
I don’t know if your gigging schedule is anything like mine, but I tend to have fewer gigs in the Fall and Winter. I often use this time to record albums and catch up on my reading. So, if that’s you we’re in the same club!
Here are a few books that I recommend adding to your library this Fall.
How to Make it in The New Music Business by Ari Herstand
Ari Herstand is a musician who makes a living as a full-time artist. He’s been on the independent music scene for a long time. He is one of the pioneer voices for independent musicians on the internet and in the DIY music space. He runs a no-nonsense blog about ways to earn a living with music. It was only natural that he penned this 2016 How to Make it in The New Music Business.
The official book synopsis – “Forget everything you think you know about the odds of “making it” in the music industry. Today, odds mean nothing and success is not about lucky breaks. It’s about conquering social media, mastering the art of merchandising and simply working harder and being smarter than everyone else. We are living in the midst of an industry renaissance, one that has left the record companies desperately struggling to maintain their prominence, as a subculture of dedicated, DIY (do-it-yourself) musicians have taken over. These days talent is a given and success has to be earned.”
A few takeaways you might get from this quick read are discovering new ways to earn money with your music, learning how to navigate the new, fast-paced, DIY environment of the music business, and an overall renewed inspiration for doing music on your own terms. I go into detail on exactly what I got out of reading it and why you should read it too in my full review of the book here.
Break the Business by Ryan Kairalla
Author Ryan Kairalla sends a strong message to independent artists in ‘Break the Business.’ That message is that if you want to get somewhere, you have to make it happen yourself and he tells you how to do it. Ryan Kairalla is an entertainment lawyer, writer, podcaster and teacher. He advises clients in the music industry on a wide range of entertainment and business matters including recording agreements, management agreements, copyright and trademark counseling and much more. His book ‘Break the Business,’ teaches you how to get out of the mindset that you have to follow the rules of the entertainment industry.
The official synopsis – “For generations, record companies have dominated the music industry. Artists were unable to get their material to the masses without label backing, meaning that the path to stardom inevitably involved artists having to sign exploitative record contracts. These “record deals” were profoundly one-sided, and usually imposed brutal, predatory terms on artists. Fortunately, times have changed and artists no longer need labels. It is a new music business, and it is time for a new kind of music business book. Break the Business is the musician’s guide to achieving music industry success through embracing an independent, entrepreneurial, and artist-centered business model.”
Reading makes you more educated and it just feels good. What are you reading this month?
— The Crafty Musician (@IndieArtistsDIY) August 23, 2018
The takeaway is that there are no rules when it comes to being a successful full-time artist except for the ones you make on your own. He teaches you how to use the tools already at your disposal to do for yourself the things a record label would do for you without having to sign your life and music away to an executive. ‘Break the Business’ will show you how to take the wheel and drive to wherever you want to go.
The Six-Figure Musician by David Hooper
First published in 2013 and written by David Hooper, The Six-Figure Musician focuses on quality over quantity. As an independent artist you have an advantage of maintaining interpersonal relationships with your fans in ways that mainstream artists simply can not. This book compels you to look at your career not as a way to gain fame and fortune but as a way to make a comfortable living with a small amount of fans without getting signed or having a huge team.
The official synopsis – “You’re in a career where it’s considered “normal” to be broke. If you were doing anything else for a living, you’d have given up by now. And I’m sure there are people in your life who wish you’d do just that… They want you to settle down, get a “real” job, and make music a hobby. Screw ’em. The truth is, if you know what to do, you can make a lot of money as a musician. This book shows you what to do. You’ll learn exactly how to make money with your music — in the club, on the Internet, and on the road.”
Some of the topics covered in this book are:
- “The Drip Method” — The most profitable way to release music.
- A 100-year-old marketing trick developed by a woman thought to be “too fat and ugly” for a career in music — today it works better than ever!
- The greatest threat to your music business success (it’s not piracy) and how to neutralize it.
- A songwriting secret from successful drag queens and pissed off karaoke singers so potent, it almost guarantees a great song!
- 4 proven “cures” for music business burnout and overwhelm
- What it takes for a musician to make $150,000/year (with only 500 fans)
- And more..
If you can follow the advice in this book, you’ll be able to earn a living simply by producing the art you love and getting serious with fan relations. Hooper shows you that it can be done and just how to do it. The Kindle version is currently on sale for less than $9.
Do yourself a solid and pick up these books. You won’t be disappointed. You’ll be amazed at just how much your music business will grow by taking the time to educate yourself even if it’s just 15 minutes a day. What books are on your reading list for this Fall? Share your thoughts on recent books you’ve read about the music business in the comments section. We’d love to know.
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