Rating: 
Summary: A valuable resource for the enterprising musician
Review: I am one of the working 'pros' quoted in this book. Jana Stanfield, the author, is not only an extremely talented singer/songwriter, she is a brilliant businessperson and has gathered together all the information you'll need to make your own CDs and cassettes. If you are a serious musician who is tired of waiting for the established music business to hand you your big break, use this book to make your own big break. Jana Stanfield shows you how. -- Christine Lavin
Rating:
Summary: This book increases my profit margin.
Review: I don't even have a CD to sell, and I love this book by Jana Stanfield. When I first discovered it, I had self-published 2 books that I sold via mail order and at the back of the room when I gave a speech or facilitated a seminar. Even just one or two tid bits of the practical advice in this book made it worth far more than I paid for it. Book sales increased as soon as I implemented Jana's (always simple) suggestions.Since my first discovery of the book, I have had several books published, including my latest with Harper Collins. And I still never go on the road without using what Jana taught me with Making & Selling Your Own CD's & Cassettes. This book is for anyone --- author, musician, snake-oil salesman -- who wants to sell what you create. Do what you love, then read Jana's book, and the money just might follow. Thanks Jana. -Thom Rutledge, author of Embracing Fear
Rating:
Summary: Great reality-based book for musicians, NOT 'rock stars'
Review: I haven't actually put all of Jana's techniques into practice (yet) but only because I just laid eyes on the book yesterday and have already almost read it cover-to-cover! Because i am not starting out cold (I'm in a working original band), I saw some things that we were already doing outlined, and so i already knew those ideas worked. But we figured that stuff out by trial and error- lots of error!- so it's great to have these things laid out in a (visually well-designed) book...I saw other ideas that we'd never thought of that I immediately recognized would work great for us...and I saw so many nuggets of truth from Jana and the artists & industry insiders she references that immediately spoke to me - actually YELLED at me - "OUR BAND SHOULD BE HANDLING THINGS THIS WAY!" Best of all I can tell that the author really cares about MUSIC more than making money, yet has successfully sought and now is generous enough to share (thank you Jana!) ways to make music a full time living and a successful career without depending on "getting a break." I read this book and it reaffirms that if you want to succeed in music you can't WAIT for it to happen TO you...you can make it happen FOR you because you can have control over your future. This book is nuts-and-bolts, and includes layouts you can use for promotion and legal matters you have to tackle, but in the most palatable format I have seen to date. Write-on, Jana Stanfield!
Rating:
Summary: The Musician's Guide to Making & Selling Your Own CDs & Cass
Review: I ran across this book while trying to find ways to market my poetry. The book was packed with "hands on" information and the kind of cheerleading inspiration that helps you believe you can do this. While the book is oriented to the musician, it works for spoken word folks also.
If you are unlucky enough to be stuck in a big city or major metro area, you may find that this is less useful to you. Consider moving to a smaller town to use the ideas.
I have been a performer to supplement my income for many years. Her ideas have helped me open a new marketing opportunity. This is not an idle "thought process" for me. I have recorded and am selling my first CD and did the major recording for my second one earlier today. Her ideas helped me do it.
If you are serious about being creative with your work, this will help you. If you are not serious, it is still a good read and you can pass it on to someone who will use it.
Rating:
Summary: The Musician's Guide to Making & Selling Your Own CDs & Cass
Review: I ran across this book while trying to find ways to market my poetry. The book was packed with "hands on" information and the kind of cheerleading inspiration that helps you believe you can do this. While the book is oriented to the musician, it works for spoken word folks also.
If you are unlucky enough to be stuck in a big city or major metro area, you may find that this is less useful to you. Consider moving to a smaller town to use the ideas.
I have been a performer to supplement my income for many years. Her ideas have helped me open a new marketing opportunity. This is not an idle "thought process" for me. I have recorded and am selling my first CD and did the major recording for my second one earlier today. Her ideas helped me do it.
If you are serious about being creative with your work, this will help you. If you are not serious, it is still a good read and you can pass it on to someone who will use it.
Rating: 
Summary: Not completely accurate when it comes to dollars
Review: I was put off shortly into this book when the author started talking about how much money you can make when selling your cassettes and/or CDs. She says she spent $3,500 on recording and making 100 cassettes for her first record. She then sold them for $10 a piece and then had more made up. After selling 350, she had her investment back (apparently those 250 cassettes didn't cost her anything to be made). She then went on to say that she ended up selling 1,000 cassettes which brought her $10,000 -- a pure profit of $6,500! How the hell does that happen? Once again, those additional 650 cassettes must have been free for her to make up. This inconsistency with dollar amounts continues throughout the book. It's tough to believe anything else when these factors were so blatantly overlooked.
Rating:
Summary: A Definite Keeper
Review: I'm seldom motivated to submit reviews on "how to's", however Jana's book is definitely worth the time. As a singer/songwriter, I've just released my first CD, independently published, and I found this book to be more than helpful... especially in creative marketing. There are some great detailed books on the "step by step" process of the music business, but few remark on the psychological/motivational side of "doing it"... whether we want to admit it or not, we ALL need encouragement at some point. Jana's stories of personal experience make it a very enjoyable read... "hey, I can relate" kind of feel. It may not be all that big bands look for, but every singer/songwriter should add it to their library.
Rating:
Summary: A Definite Keeper
Review: I'm seldom motivated to submit reviews on "how to's", however Jana's book is definitely worth the time. As a singer/songwriter, I've just released my first CD, independently published, and I found this book to be more than helpful... especially in creative marketing. There are some great detailed books on the "step by step" process of the music business, but few remark on the psychological/motivational side of "doing it"... whether we want to admit it or not, we ALL need encouragement at some point. Jana's stories of personal experience make it a very enjoyable read... "hey, I can relate" kind of feel. It may not be all that big bands look for, but every singer/songwriter should add it to their library.
Rating:
Summary: A Definite Keeper
Review: I'm seldom motivated to submit reviews on "how to's", however Jana's book is definitely worth the time. As a singer/songwriter, I've just released my first CD, independently published, and I found this book to be more than helpful... especially in creative marketing. There are some great detailed books on the "step by step" process of the music business, but few remark on the psychological/motivational side of "doing it"... whether we want to admit it or not, we ALL need encouragement at some point. Jana's stories of personal experience make it a very enjoyable read... "hey, I can relate" kind of feel. It may not be all that big bands look for, but every singer/songwriter should add it to their library.
Rating:
Summary: Best of both worlds: practical and inspiring
Review: If you are looking for practical tips, you hit the jackpot with this book. There is so much useful and instantly usable information here that I happily read it cover to cover several times, each time gleaning new ways I could apply the info to my own budding musical career.
This book is a godsend for independent musicians, for aspiring songwriters, for frustrated singer/songwriters and for anyone who has been unable to break into the traditional, mainstream music biz.
It's inspiring to hear how Jana took control of her own musical career and she shows how we all can do it, too.
It's rare when a book about 'making it' in the music industry doesn't either promise too much (while overlooking the harsh realities of the business) - or - goes too far the other way, focusing on doom and gloom. Jana's book is a fair and balanced look at the nuts and bolts of making and selling your music.
I often go to this book as a reference for the practical tips, but always come away inspired by Jana's unique way of looking at life.
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