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Making a music career that lasts takes more than just talent. You need to plan smart, push through challenges, and really understand how the music world works. Whether you want to sing, produce, or write songs, working out how to navigate it in a way that lasts is the key to turning your passion into a real and long-lasting career. To help you get there, here are five insightful books packed with practical tips, strategies, and inspiration to help you build a music career that can thrive for years to come.
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Breaking the myths of overnight stardom, Make Music Your Business by musician Ben Hughes gives artists a practical roadmap to turn their passion into a career that lasts. At its core, the book reminds us that music isn’t just an art - it’s also a business. Today, with AI changing how music is made and platforms like TikTok demanding a song grab attention in just a few seconds, the industry moves faster than ever. Whether you’re just starting out or working at an executive level, everyone is trying to create value and build something that lasts. Longevity comes from making smart moves, having a plan, and knowing your story. Drawing on his experience performing internationally, developing artists, and teaching, Hughes goes beyond survival tips. The book inspires musicians to stop waiting to be “discovered” and instead chase their dreams with clarity, persistence, and practical strategies, all while learning from those who have turned passion into lasting success.
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The Ultimate Music Career Guide is designed to help anyone who dreams of working in music - on stage, behind the scenes, or anywhere in between. It guides you through discovering your skills and interests, exploring different career paths, and working out how to turn your passion into a real opportunity. The book covers how the music industry works, what the future looks like, and the wide range of jobs available, such as performing to marketing, production, and more. It also includes exercises to help you discover your strengths, match them to the right roles, and create a clear plan to reach your goals. Full of practical advice, insights on top music brands and industry leaders, and step-by-step strategies, this insightful book is fantastic for beginners, students, or anyone looking to take their music career to new heights. It’s about helping you find your place in music and giving you the tools to get there.
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The Progressive Music Career is a practical guide for musicians, producers, and creatives looking to build a sustainable career in music beyond the glamour of TV and social media. Drawing on Pat Heath’s 25 years of experience in performing, teaching, and producing, the book explores how to connect your skills with your creativity to carve out your own path in the industry. Through 25 chapters, Heath covers everything from practicing effectively, choosing between formal music education or a DIY route, releasing and publishing tracks, to managing income streams, royalties, and live performance opportunities. Full of research, insights, and contributions from major and grassroots music players - from Stormzy and Tom Jones to indie producers and gaming music creators - the book combines practical advice with exercises to help readers plan and monetise a portfolio career. This guide is ideal for anyone wanting to navigate the music world realistically, step into opportunities, and turn their passion into a sustainable, rewarding career.
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How to Build a Sustainable Music Career and Collect All Revenue Streams by Emily White is a hands-on guide for musicians at any stage - whether you’re just starting out or trying to get your career organised. Drawing on her experience as an entrepreneur, manager, and consultant, White breaks down the modern music industry in a way that actually makes sense, from creating and recording music to releasing it and managing your career for the long haul. Unlike scattered advice you often find online, this book lays out a clear, step-by-step approach. White shows you how to build a sustainable career while making sure you don’t miss any revenue streams along the way. She also explains how to navigate new platforms, seize opportunities, and turn your passion into a career that’s both profitable and lasting. Packed with practical tips and real-world insights, this book feels like a mentor guiding you through every stage of the music business.
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You Can Make It In Music is a down-to-earth guide for anyone who dreams of turning their love of music into a real career. David Grossman knows the music world inside out - he’s worked in studios, produced soundtracks, run music departments at major companies, and even been part of the Grammy Awards. In this book, he shares what he’s learned along the way. Packed with practical advice, it helps you get mentally ready, work out your strengths, and find where you fit in the music world. With over 140 music careers covered, there’s something for everyone - whether you want to perform, produce, write, or work behind the scenes. Step by step, Grossman shows how to take your passion seriously, spot opportunities, and make smart choices so you can turn your love of music into a career you actually enjoy - without feeling lost or overwhelmed.
1
Breaking the myths of overnight stardom, Make Music Your Business by musician Ben Hughes gives artists a practical roadmap to turn their passion into a career that lasts. At its core, the book reminds us that music isn’t just an art - it’s also a business. Today, with AI changing how music is made and platforms like TikTok demanding a song grab attention in just a few seconds, the industry moves faster than ever. Whether you’re just starting out or working at an executive level, everyone is trying to create value and build something that lasts. Longevity comes from making smart moves, having a plan, and knowing your story. Drawing on his experience performing internationally, developing artists, and teaching, Hughes goes beyond survival tips. The book inspires musicians to stop waiting to be “discovered” and instead chase their dreams with clarity, persistence, and practical strategies, all while learning from those who have turned passion into lasting success.
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The Ultimate Music Career Guide is designed to help anyone who dreams of working in music - on stage, behind the scenes, or anywhere in between. It guides you through discovering your skills and interests, exploring different career paths, and working out how to turn your passion into a real opportunity. The book covers how the music industry works, what the future looks like, and the wide range of jobs available, such as performing to marketing, production, and more. It also includes exercises to help you discover your strengths, match them to the right roles, and create a clear plan to reach your goals. Full of practical advice, insights on top music brands and industry leaders, and step-by-step strategies, this insightful book is fantastic for beginners, students, or anyone looking to take their music career to new heights. It’s about helping you find your place in music and giving you the tools to get there.
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The Progressive Music Career is a practical guide for musicians, producers, and creatives looking to build a sustainable career in music beyond the glamour of TV and social media. Drawing on Pat Heath’s 25 years of experience in performing, teaching, and producing, the book explores how to connect your skills with your creativity to carve out your own path in the industry. Through 25 chapters, Heath covers everything from practicing effectively, choosing between formal music education or a DIY route, releasing and publishing tracks, to managing income streams, royalties, and live performance opportunities. Full of research, insights, and contributions from major and grassroots music players - from Stormzy and Tom Jones to indie producers and gaming music creators - the book combines practical advice with exercises to help readers plan and monetise a portfolio career. This guide is ideal for anyone wanting to navigate the music world realistically, step into opportunities, and turn their passion into a sustainable, rewarding career.
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How to Build a Sustainable Music Career and Collect All Revenue Streams by Emily White is a hands-on guide for musicians at any stage - whether you’re just starting out or trying to get your career organised. Drawing on her experience as an entrepreneur, manager, and consultant, White breaks down the modern music industry in a way that actually makes sense, from creating and recording music to releasing it and managing your career for the long haul. Unlike scattered advice you often find online, this book lays out a clear, step-by-step approach. White shows you how to build a sustainable career while making sure you don’t miss any revenue streams along the way. She also explains how to navigate new platforms, seize opportunities, and turn your passion into a career that’s both profitable and lasting. Packed with practical tips and real-world insights, this book feels like a mentor guiding you through every stage of the music business.
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You Can Make It In Music is a down-to-earth guide for anyone who dreams of turning their love of music into a real career. David Grossman knows the music world inside out - he’s worked in studios, produced soundtracks, run music departments at major companies, and even been part of the Grammy Awards. In this book, he shares what he’s learned along the way. Packed with practical advice, it helps you get mentally ready, work out your strengths, and find where you fit in the music world. With over 140 music careers covered, there’s something for everyone - whether you want to perform, produce, write, or work behind the scenes. Step by step, Grossman shows how to take your passion seriously, spot opportunities, and make smart choices so you can turn your love of music into a career you actually enjoy - without feeling lost or overwhelmed.
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