Sphere 06 · Music Business
Get your music heard.
Releasing, promoting and getting paid for your music. As an independent artist you are the label, the marketing team and the brand.
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through them I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only list things I would hand a friend.
01Start here
Two books, a podcast, a course, a PR blog and a YouTube channel. The music business basics in one place.
- Book
How to Make It in the New Music Business
Ari Herstand's practical guide to booking, royalties, releases and the rest. The best first book on the music business.
Why I like it
If you are just getting into the music business and want to know what it takes to make it, this book is a great starting point. He covers many topics such as booking shows, explains royalties, and release strategies, plus a lot more. If you haven’t read any other book about the music business, this would be a great first book.
- Podcast
DIY Musician Podcast
CD Baby's podcast on the business side of indie music, from touring to release strategy.
Why I like it
This podcast is sponsored by CD Baby, one of the biggest music distributors, but that doesn’t mean this podcast is just a marketing tactic for them. This podcast delivers real value and knowledge for any musician looking to learn more about the music business from touring to release strategy and everything in between.
- Book
Get More Fans
Jesse Cannon's 600-page playbook for growing an audience. A reference you will keep coming back to.
Why I like it
Jesse Cannon, a well-known engineer turned author, has written a comprehensive guide on how to, well, get more fans. It is packed with 600 pages of experience he has had in the industry distilled down to an easy-to-read reference book that you will use to help grow your audience for years to come.
- Course
Indepreneur
Step-by-step strategies for promoting your music in an authentic way, through free podcasts, videos and paid courses.
Why I like it
As a modern independent musician, it can be very difficult to find effective ways to promote your music in an authentic way. The strategies that Indepreneur lays out in the free podcasts, videos, and courses give a step-by-step guide to making your way through the music business successfully.
- Website
- Blog/Article
Cyber PR
A respected music PR company with a big free blog on release plans and social media for artists.
Why I like it
This is a very well respected PR company that has a lot of great free content for musicians and artists. They offer PR services, but you will have a great start if you implement the ideas and strategies from the blog on your own. If you need tips on a release strategy or social media, CYBER PR is one of the best places to start your music marketing strategizing.
Recommended Reading:
- YouTube
Adam Ivy
A beatmaker turned music marketing voice. Practical promo ideas and motivation for the long haul.
Why I like it
He started out as a beatmaker and producer, and his YouTube channel has grown into a source of knowledge about music marketing and staying motivated during an artist's journey.
02Promotion & Marketing
Growing an audience: marketing podcasts, blogs and the tools for your artist website.
- Podcast
The Indepreneur Podcast
Music promotion and marketing for independent artists: ads, websites, release plans and more.
Why I like it
This is a podcast dedicated to the music promotion and marketing aspect of the music business. If you want to learn about advertising on Facebook and Instagram, making the most out of your website, and so much more, this is the podcast to listen to.
- Blog/Article
Passive Promotion
Brian Hazard documents his experiments promoting his own music, with the tools and results.
Why I like it
This blog is owned by Brian Hazard, who is a mastering engineer and a recording artist. In this blog, he documents his journey and experiments with promoting his albums through passive means. You can learn about the tools he uses and the strategies he has tried for promoting your music.
- Website
Mark Eckert
An indie pop producer who gives away useful ebooks on release strategy and performing live.
Why I like it
Mark Eckert is an indie pop producer I have heard as a guest on a few podcasts. He has a super interesting story about his journey, and he offers a lot of free resources he made, such as ebooks on release strategy and performing live.
- Podcast
Website Builders "For Musicians", Shopping Carts and Other Tech
An Indepreneur podcast episode weighing up the popular website builders and store tools for musicians.
Why I like it
The hosts go deep into the pros and cons of the most popular website builders on the market.
- Software
Squarespace
A reliable website builder for a clean, good-looking artist site without touching code.
03Money & Rights
Contracts, royalties, publishing and sync. How your music actually earns money.
- Book
All You Need to Know About the Music Business
Donald Passman's go-to guide to record deals, publishing, royalties and contracts.
- Website
That Pitch
Get sync briefs for TV, ads and film, and pitch your songs straight to their sync partners.
Why I like it
Looking to get your music into TV, advertisements, and films? That Pitch sends out sync briefs, and you pitch your songs to their sync partners.
- Website
Artlist
Apply to license your music through Artlist, where video creators around the world find songs for their work.
Why I like it
This is an application-based sync licensing business. Once you are approved, your music can end up in films, videos and TV all around the world.
Know a resource I missed?
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