Rating: 
Summary: Better than I thought!
Review: I looked at the other reviews before buying this book. I even talked to other musicians I knew to see if they knew about it. While some of the reviews are negative, all the musicians I knew who read the book had gotten something out of it. Just by following the information in the book, I decided to start my own indie label at the beginning of this year. I am now selling almost 1,000 CDs at shows and in stores becuase of the info in the book. I used college radio promotion companies before and got little sales even though my music charted. Now I know why. I thought $24.95 was high priced but after Sweeney answered the phone number in the book and answered my questions plus the book's free consulting review, it is a good investment at $24.95. I even gave copies to other musicians who haven't read it.
Rating: 
Summary: good in 1996 but showing its age in 2002
Review: I think that there are a lot of really good things that you can learn from this book, but it's old and out of touch with what is happening today. As you can see from the other reviews, a lot of people think it is out of date and there are plenty of things that it just doesn't mention which should be part of your promotion plan these days. Like the Internet or mp3. Isn't that part of every band's plan now? This book doesn't even talk about that because it was written before any of that existed. It talks about college radio (does college radio exist anymore?) and passing out demo tapes. Definitely not worth [the money].
Rating:
Summary: Simple, Straight Forward, Easy To Use
Review: I took the advice of a press guy in Boston. He told me to see what all the successful bands in the area were doing in common and copy them. I got a hold of 6 of them. What was funny was that each of them said we used Tim Sweeney's Guide To Releasing Independent Records. That was enough for me. I bought a copy and within 3 months, I have more people at my shows, I'm selling more CDs at my shows and a club I wanted to played at, that would never let me, called me to play there. And my CDs are selling out at different stores. What the guy says works. I'm going to his workshops next.
Rating: 
Summary: Barely adequate
Review: I'm not sorry I bought this. It had some good information on recording and promoting a CD through traditional means, although there's not much on the Internet. What's here is geared toward a major manufacturing and promotional commitment to radio and bricks and mortal (store) sales. So, it tends to be more useful for pop and rock acts that have money to play with. My genre, jazz, is not quite as popular and I didn't have a bankroll to blow trying a blanket submission and promotional campaign. I did get some useful ideas, certainly enough to justify the purchase. However, the Indie Bible is better.
Rating:
Summary: REQUIRED READING for anyone in the music business!
Review: I've read this book several times over. Even if your goal is to get a deal with a major label or large indy label, YOU NEED TO READ THIS BOOK! This is exactly what you need to do if you want to succeed as a musical artist or band in this industry. You need to achieve a certain level of success before any bigger labels are going to even want to talk with you. This book gives you a step by step guide on how to achieve that level of success on your own. I have a few other books that I also consider required reading..., but this one is right at the top of my list next to Donald Passman's "All You Need To Know About The Music Business". GET THIS BOOK! You won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Break out of the starving artist mode
Review: I've read this book, and as an artist myself, I can see now how to keep more of the money for myself now, and stop worrying about all the industry "rules" for success. Also, as a small business owner of over 10 years, I can see the marketing value here. This is zigging when everyone else is zagging. The industry has created a set of rules that are purely fabricated to make the record companies and consultants more money.
This book is about how to keep more for yourself and stop giving away what you make. Apparently there are independent artists that make far more than most major label artists - and the major labels would love to sign them. However, who in their right mind would give up all that great income, and sign it away to a record company who will give you practically nothing in return, except maybe some fleeting fame at best. Regardless of whether you agree with Tim's approach, he's onto something here. It isn't the music your fans buy, it is what you give them in your music. Writing formula songs, and dressing sexy, may seem to sell records these days, and the industry swears by it, but it is fleeting. True lasting music artists build relationships with their fans, that is all Tim is trying to say. The mechanics covered in the book are necessary, but it is the true artistry that makes it work.
This book gets five stars for challenging the status quo, and moving all that talent wasted by the industry gorillas into action, and in competition.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic!
Review: I've searched high and low for exactly this information. Instead of tons of details that you don't really need to know, you get a step-by-step process telling you exactly what to do to promote your music from the ground up - information that nobody seems to want to tell you. This book is a ready made business plan for those who want to play and promote their music without depending on major labels. It has totally motivated me.
Rating: 
Summary: The truth hurts!!
Review: If you don't want the truth, don't get this book. I thought I could sneak around alot of things in the music business and wondered why I would find myself dissapointed with my results. Well after reading this book and following just a few steps I saw results. I am now selling my music in Hastings Records.....Awesome!!!!. Can you handle the truth?
Rating:
Summary: Good enough for me
Review: If your musical influence used the book and got the record deal they wanted. Then sells almost a million copies with their debut album and wins the Grammy award the following year, its good enough for me. I've only made enough money using the book to quit my day job and play music full time.
Rating:
Summary: Worth every penny!
Review: My debut release, "Journal Entry" is due out in September 1998 and I don't think I could have done it "right" without this book. It is truly a guide with great insite into the world of indie releasing. It takes the guess work and trial and error out of the process of creating and selling an independent release. Worth every penny!
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