How to Make It in the New Music Business

By: Ari Herstand

Narrated by: Ari Herstand, Derek Sivers

Length: 14 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's Summary

In the last decade, no industry has been through as much upheaval and turmoil as the music industry. If you're looking for quick fame and instant success, you're in the wrong field. It's now a democratic DIY business, and any guide to success in these new waters must be told by someone who's already survived them. Giving today's aspiring musicians the practical tools they need to build and maintain a lifelong career, How to Make It in the New Music Business becomes not only a brilliantly compiled tutorial on how to accomplish specific tasks - routing a tour, negotiating contracts, getting paid for Spotify and Pandora plays, or even licensing music to commercials, film, and television - but also a manifesto that encourages musicians to pave their own paths. Iin clear, easy-to-follow chapters, Ari Herstand's necessary and definitive handbook promises to redefine what it means to make it in the brave new world of professional music.

©2017 Ari Herstand; foreword copyright 2017 by Derek Sivers (P)2016 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Fantastic! could not stop listening.

This is one of the best (if not the best) motivational tool for any DIY musician.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Very good but a bit overwhelming

It's a great book and it's still good in 2017. It will probably get dated pretty quickly but so does all books of this kind. If you are a band there are tons of good stuff in here. If you are a solo artist (like me) prepared to be overwhelmed with all the things you feel like you need to do after listening to this book (besides writing great songs, making great records). Sometimes you just wish you did not have to be a jack of all trades to succeed, but I guess that's just the way it is. All or nothing!

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Exceeded Expectations

I thought this book was at least 7 yrs old. To my surprise, the content is up to the minute as of 2017. Very useful, must-have reference book

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Finished in No time! Excellent Listen!

Ari gives solid advice that really dissects the industry as we know it. A friend recommended this to me and I highly recommend it as well! Thank you!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Essential Reading

Make notes as you go. Loads of invaluable insight and ideas. Left me very inspired.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

Guide Book for Musicians

I wish I had this book 5 yrs ago. It's the muse to getting any indie musician or band going. Full of great ideas; great plans; great strategies. How does Ari know? Because he's already done it. Teach from experience. If you're serious about your music, you at least owe it to yourself to listen/read this book. You're guaranteed to find at least ONE good idea. I have pages so far.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

An essential read.

if you're a small to medium level musician and looking to make an impact on your career, read this book. There's not another text on the market with an up-to-date literature on both the industry, and from the perspective of a musician.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

incredible guide

ari, thank you for sharing your knowledge with us! your wisdom has already improved my music career. cheers!

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Best music business book I have ever read!

Best music business book I have ever read! Finally a book that gives practical tips and information on today's totally different music industry. I also love that it was written and narrated by a current musician who has actually experienced the things he talks about. I will be recommending this book to my musician friends!

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

a practical overview of music industry now

The main reason for 4 stars is that Ari insists on using the words like "dough", "moola" and "cheddar" for money. It was distracting at best.

The book is also very US-centric. I don't fault him for this, it's his experience after all, but maybe 10% of the book was confusing because of this, especially since you don't know if the legal and financial arrangements that work in US still affect you if you're from the 95% of the rest of the world.

Also, a mixed blessing was Ari reading urls with "eighe tee tee pee colon slash slash" and reading meaningless numbers like "artist you never heard about made 7624863.48$ on their one-off hit" instead of saying "seven million dollars". Again, distracting.

One thing that I felt was important and was slightly overlooked was mentioning that one-off success is just that. Any clever trick or a lucky streak that has worked for a year or two will fade away eventually. Ari does explain that hard work and innovative approaches to marketing do matter, so it's not like he was naive about it, but, you know. I'm nitpicking. It's a good book.

Quintessential and definitive. Must read.

The quintessential and definitive guide to the modern music industry. A must read for novices and seasoned vets alike. It will either reaffirm what you currently do and/or provide you with new perspective.

This is rubbish

This is a complete waste of time. l purchased this book thinking all my answers have been found in one book. but I have got 2 3rds through and can't stand listening to this big headed, full of himself, who likes the sound of his own voice more than others do. or at least more than l do, and can't bare to listen no more...

Fantastic!

Delighted u got to finish it before the read version was released.
This is going to be a massive success.
Keep it up Ari.
Glad to have just met u;)