Description

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"Ari is at the front of the front. He gets it. I've read a hundred how-to-make-it-in-the-music-biz books, and this one is today's definitive, comprehensive manual." —Jack Conte, 150+ million YouTube views, Pomplamoose, CEO of Patreon

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.

In 2008, Ari Herstand boldly turned in his green Starbucks apron to his manager, determined to make a living off his craft as a singer/songwriter. Almost a decade later, he has become a founding member of the new DIY movement and a self-sustaining musician, all without the help of a major label. Now, drawing from years of experience, Herstand has written the definitive guide for other like-minded artists, the ones who want to forge their own path and not follow the traditional markers of success, like record sales, hits on the radio or the amount of your label advance. Incredibly comprehensive and brutally honest throughout, How to Make It in the New Music Business covers every facet of the "new" business, including how to:

• Build a grass-roots fan base—and understand the modern fan


• Book a profitable tour, and tips for playing live, such as opening vs. headlining etiquette, and putting on a memorable show


• Become popular on YouTube, Spotify and SoundCloud


• Get songs placed in film and television


• Earn royalties you didn’t know existed and reach your crowdfunding goals

Musicians will not only be introduced to all the tools available today but will be shown how to effectively leverage them to actually make money. More important, they will develop the mindset to be aware of new advancements both online and in the real world and always stay in tune with a constantly evolving landscape.

There has never been a better time to be an independent musician. Today, fans can communicate with their idols by simply picking up their phones, artists are able to produce studio-worthy content from their basement and albums are funded not by "record men" but by generous, engaged supporters. As result, How to Make It in the New Music Business is a must-have guide for anyone hoping to navigate the increasingly complex yet advantageous landscape that is the modern music industry.

About the Author

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Ari Herstand is a musician who has been featured in countless TV shows, commercials, and films. He is the CEO of the music business education company Ari’s Take and the host of the Webby Award–winning podcast New Music Business. He currently fronts the funk band Brassroots District.

Praise For…

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This is the single best book on the current music business. An absolute must-read for every musician.
— Derek Sivers, Sivers.org, founder of CD Baby

Ari is at the front of the front. He gets it. I've read a hundred how-to-make-it-in-the-music-biz books, and this one is today's definitive, comprehensive manual.
— Jack Conte, 150+ Million YouTube Views, Pomplamoose, CEO of Patreon

Ari understands this space. He gives a tremendous amount of information. Anyone wanting to make music for a living should read this, period.
— Peter Hollens, 150+ million YouTube views

An indispensable and comprehensive manual on how to navigate the modern music business.
— Forbes

The best ‘how to’ book of its kind. As a working artist himself, Herstand knows of what he speaks. . . . The book crackles with the actual experience of being a working artist. Highly recommended.
— Music Connection

There is a great divide between what the young musician thinks being a rock star is and what actually working as a musician entails. Ari fills in the blanks with his light hearted yet blunt demeanor. He's the informed older brother most of us never got in this crazy, confusing industry.
— Andy Grammer, chart-topping singer/songwriter

Incredibly valuable. Not just for musicians, but for entrepreneurs and anyone else wanting to succeed in the music business. Ari has written the ultimate guide on how to make it in the music business. Incredibly detailed yet fun to read, this is the book that generations of musicians will rely on to build their careers. One day, all these quotes will be replaced by quotes from A-list rock stars who got their start by reading this book.
— Philip Kaplan, CEO and founder of DistroKid, Fandalism

There are few careers more difficult than being a professional musician, but How to Make It in the New Music Business will absolutely increase your chances of success. Ari Herstand is a fresh, emerging authority on a music industry that is just taking shape, and a fearless tour guide in a brand-new jungle. I highly recommend this for your music career.

— Paul Resnikoff, Publisher, Digital Music News

There are a lot of books that attempt to describe how to make and do ‘it’ in the music business. What sets Ari apart is his not only his insatiable curiosity, research and conclusions but also the fact that he is a musician that has actually done the very ‘it’ he writes about. Reading Ari’s book teaches you what the music industry actually is, not what others think it should be.
— Jeff Price, Founder of Tunecore, Audiam

No one has ever laid out a roadmap to a successful music career in today’s world as Ari has in his book. Covering things like proper etiquette when emailing promoters to getting your songs placed in film and TV, Ari expedites the sometimes tedious process of learning what it takes to be a professional musician. If you want to take your career seriously, read this book.
— Andrew Leib, artist manager

Ari Herstand tackles the complexities of the music business in a way that any indie artist or songwriter can understand. He’s got deep sympathy for music creators who want to make a living from their art—and a ton of practical advice on how to do it.
— Etan Rosenbloom, director and deputy editor, Marketing & Communications, ASCAP

At a time when everyone is complaining about how the music industry is not supporting artists, Ari offers hope in the form of practical, usable advice. I know that his DIY-with-a-team approach works, because he, like hundreds of others who follow a similar path, are living their dreams as working musicians.
— Bruce Houghton, Skyline Music/Hypebot.com

Every time Ari Herstand writes about a topic in the music industry, he absolutely nails it. Plus, being a full-time musician himself, his insights are that much more valuable to aspiring artists. Couldn’t recommend this book highly enough.
— Dave Cool, director of Artist & Industry Outreach, Bandzoogle

Ari is the first person I turn to for advice on anything music business related. It’s especially wonderful because his advice is coming from a place of actual experience. He’s living it.
— vox, chart-topping artist

How To Make It In The Music Business is the one book I wish I had when I started doing music 4 years ago. It is now the book I emphatically recommend to all my musician friends in any and every stage of their career. Ari, through his personal experience as a musician and research curated from industry experts, breaks down a myriad of topics and concepts that are crucial to independent music success. One of the best investments you can make if you are serious about your independent music career. It’s the new Bible for independent musicians.

— Gospel Lee, Billboard charting hip-hop artist

Ari Herstand is a leader in the DIY music movement and has written the perfect recipe for success.
— Patti Silverman, SF MusicTech Summit, SXSW

This is a book that not only should every musician read, but this is a book that should remain on your desk by your computer at all times. This is the definitive book for independent musicians.
— Wade Sutton, Rocket to the Stars