The music business can be very overwhelming to wrap your head around. Luckily, there are plenty of great books to help you navigate the music industry and will help you understand record labels, royalties, music marketing, music publishing, and much more.
Here’s my pick of the top 10 books on the music business that I think everyone should read.
You are reading: Books about the music industry
top 10 music business books of 2022
Considered the bible of the industry by the Los Angeles Times, Everything You Need to Know About the Music Business: The 9th Edition is a gem of a book by music lawyer Donald Passman. is basically the de facto guide to the music industry and is highly recommended for anyone looking to get into it.
The book was first published in 1991. It is now in its tenth edition. over the years, he has charted the extreme change the music industry has undergone. Since the addition of MTV to the MP3 revolution and now streaming services, the book has been updated to the point where it is still highly relevant.
With chapters including choosing the right gear around you, signing record deals, merchandising deals, copyrights, and even finding the right look, this book is for anyone who wants to know what it takes to survive in the music world.
covers pretty much everything in the industry besides making music. so whether you’re a musician or a manager, a lawyer or a publisher, you should give it a try.
In a time when music was free and everyone had equal access to publish their music, this book by music producer Jesse Cannon is a great read if you want to stick out like a sore thumb.
Get More Fans: The DIY Guide to the New Music Business basically breaks down the world of social media and streaming services like spotify and soundcloud as pros and cons.
Sure there’s an ocean of artists and music listeners don’t pay a lot of money, but it’s also easier than ever to record and release the art form that music is. you can do it sitting from home practically for free.
The book is a very useful do-it-yourself marketing tool for all musicians to make their products known in the contemporary world. read it and use it to its full potential and you just might see your casual listener become a dedicated patron.
there is no doubt that the music industry is changing every second. You blink and a new chapter passes. So, in this fickle world, if you want to survive by making music, you should consider this book by Ari Herstand. in 2016, he published this book and it instantly resonated with many artists.
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how to succeed in the new music business is an excellent read for all amateur musicians and songwriters trying to make a name for themselves. will give you a detailed look at how to make the most of all the tools available to you in the comfort of your own home. Additionally, it will teach you how to maximize media platforms like spotify, instagram, youtube, and facebook to build followers.
If you are a professional musician, you know how important it is to know the legal and financial aspects of creating music. However, if you’re not already a pro, you should read Take Care of Your Music Business by John Kellogg.
First published in 2001, it’s a highly touted book for lawyers, musicians, managers, record label executives, and everyone in between. it gives you a great perspective on that other not-so-flashy side of the business that most people generally don’t know about. the new edition also covers the digital age, 360-degree offerings, and some good case studies.
At only about 200 pages, the book isn’t the most comprehensive resource you’ll find. But John Kellogg is a respected entertainment lawyer and he knows what he’s talking about. So, it’s a great read, though.
Let’s be real. unless you’re a hobbyist, making music is a business. when you release music, you ultimately expect to get paid for it. And Music, Money, Success by Jeff Brabec and Todd Brabec teaches you exactly how to do it.
The book is not a sure shot or a shortcut to earn a living making music because there are none. however, it will teach you what to look for, who to approach, and how to obtain it.
basically takes real-life examples of people who make a fortune in the music industry and breaks them down painstakingly, revealing the secrets behind their success. it’s not just for records, music, money and success covers most facets of the creative world involving music. be it broadway, commercials, television or movies.
If you’re on the creative side, this would be an excellent and informative read for you. It will help you get a much better view of what and how it takes to find financial success with your music.
Most musicians don’t get a formal education before jumping into this vast world. and many times they end up lost, exploited or burned. So wouldn’t it be great to have experienced vets to guide you as you begin your journey?
bobby owsinski’s music business advice book is exactly what you need. Over the course of five years on his podcast, owinsiki compiled a list of 150 invaluable tips from 130 industry professionals and distilled them into this book.
The book covers a lot, from networking to collecting appropriate fees and tracking your fire. it’s good for professionals, even better for beginners.
Touted as a must-have, Randall D Wixen’s Simple and Easy Guide to Music Publishing is a great book to learn everything you need to know about music publishing. artists often suffer from this mostly due to ignorance. this book, however, will change that.
Having been updated over time, it will guide you through introductions, launches, deal signings, copyrights, and much more. You’ll also learn about the new-age hurdles people face when publishing and how to tackle them.
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the language is simple and the writing is fun. is an illuminating book that is easy to understand for even the most layman of musicians. while the book may not be the longest, you still get a lot out of it with a full read.
Being an artist manager is a fun and lucrative job. but the reality is that not everyone can do it. It takes a lot of patience, guts and skills to be successful and make a name for yourself and your clients.
Paul Allen’s Artist Management for the Music Business is an in-depth exploration of the world of artist management. presents vital insights into what it means to be a manager with sample plans for career plans for hiring sections.
The book has chapters on proven management tools to help you organize your activities and career strategies to plan the career path you want your artists to embark on. if you are a manager or want to be, you should check out this book.
You know the stereotype that most artists struggle to make a living? there is some truth in that. But, in this incredibly creative and accessible world, you can capitalize on your talents and find success.
Real Artists Don’t Starve by Jeff Goins is basically a self-help book for anyone who wants to pursue a career in the creative field. it’s great for alleviating the worries and tensions people feel before entering or leaving the industry.
is a great read for anyone from graphic designers to writers. shatters the myths behind successful and unsuccessful creatives and gives you plenty of principles to live by.
Understanding the world of the music business is not the only thing you need to be familiar with. You should also take some time to study the legal aspect if you want to run a business smoothly.
start your music business by audrey chisholm esq. is a brilliant and easy to read guide for everyone in the industry who wants to start a music business. The author is a well known music advocate who he has seen a lot. this book is his way of presenting his knowledge and ultimately helping new musical entrepreneurs.
The book contains a lot of interesting chapters including protecting your name and your music, legally sampling, avoiding legal problems, and how to collaborate with other musicians. you should look into this.
conclusion
There you have it. my 10 essential reads when it comes to the music business. Of course, there are many more to read, including various articles and online courses. but I think these should be very empowering and come to your aid when you enter the world of music.
Embarking on the world that is the music business is very daunting and requires a lot of knowledge if you want to navigate it smoothly. this is the reason behind all these guides, they show how to go through various aspects of the music world, be it television, commercials, video games and others, while also tackling the professionals (ascap, bmi and sesac).
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