Here at The Crafty Musician, we believe that every entrepreneur in music has the ability to achieve their goals without the help of a record label. A lot of the tools, resources, and ideas to build a music career you’ll find on this blog are DIY-natured; meaning that you can do it yourself and be in control of your destiny. A large part of that entails learning the business. In this article, we have compiled a list of recommended books for musicians interested in building a sustainable music career.
How to Make It In the New Music Business by Ari Herstand
In this highly anticipated new edition, Ari Herstand reveals how to build a profitable career with the many tools at our fingertips in the post-COVID era and beyond, from conquering social media and mastering the digital landscape to embracing authentic fan connection and simply learning how to persevere. This edition breaks down these phenomena and more.
Six Figure Musician: How to Sell More Music, Get More Fans, Make More Money by David Hooper
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.
The Musician’s Guide to Booking a [Profitable] Tour
A ground breaking DIY e-book about building a music tour from the ground up with a profit in mind. This book covers everything you need to know, from budgeting to routing, to promoting, merchandising to negotiating and more. The book is full of practical ideas to help you earn a profit on every tour and very easy to follow.
The Label Machine by Nick Sadler
The ultimate guide to starting, running and growing your independent record label. You will learn all about the music industry business and how to navigate the tricky dos and don’ts. You will finally understand and take control of your music copyright and get to grips with the legalities involved. You will build your label effortlessly, learning how to professionally market your music and artists – allowing you to reach thousands of fans.
How to Build a Sustainable Music Career by Emily White
For the first time, White has penned all of her best practices and advice for musicians looking to build a long-term careers into a single book, while ensuring they aren’t missing any funds owed to them along the way. As an entrepreneur, manager and consultant, White has navigated countless new platforms for musicians and presents the findings in a methodical and step by step manner. This book shows musicians how to build a career from day one, as well as how to get your career organized moving forward if it isn’t your first rodeo.
How to Turn Music Into Money
From understanding the music business landscape to identifying opportunities, developing effective marketing and promotion strategies, managing finances and cash flow, building strong relationships with fans and supporters, and future-proofing your music business, this book offers strategic how-to information and exercises to help you turn your music into money.
In addition to resource and information books, there are also a number of practical books you might need to help your business run more smoothly such as journals, notebooks, tablature books and more. Below is a collection of books musicians should have at their disposal be it for practice, time leisure, tracking calls or anything else…
My Book of Lyrics Songwriting Journal by Paisley Hall
Never forget a verse or stanza with this fiercely feminine journal for musicians and poets to keep track of all the artistic thoughts in your head. This songwriting notebook is small enough to carry around as a handy way to write down lyrics and poetry on the go. Get it for yourself, or buy it as a gift for the creative musician or poet in your life.
Guitar Tablature Notebook for Women
This aesthetically designed guitar tablature notebook is made specifically for women guitarists! This book includes over 100 pages of blank guitar tablature paper for writing or transposing custom guitar music. A vital tool for use with guitar exercises or to notate a song idea or melody. Great for music teachers, beginner guitarists, and advanced musicians.
Booking Call Log for Musicians
Keep a convenient record of all activities associated with booking gigs. It is specifically created for performing musicians and helps keep track of calls, emails, conversations, and any outreach made related to booking gigs. There is a space for details such as name of venue, venue location, how you first made contact, name of person/contact, phone number, email address, compensation details, how the venue responded or if they responded at all, when you should follow up and more.
A Very Functional Practice Journal for Sensible Musicians
Don’t try to keep track of your practice efforts in your head or on random sheets of paper. Maintain your practice routine, music assignments and reflections together in one place with the Music Practice Journal for musicians! This is the perfect tracking tool for any musician who regularly practices or wishes to practice more efficiently.
Please check back on this page for updates and newly added books to our recommendation list. If you know of any other good books musicians should read to advance their careers, leave a comment down below.
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