Rating: 
Summary: A Very Informative Read
Review: As the head of a record label, I thought it prudent to give Ms. Schwartz's book a good read. Not only does she hit nearly every point regarding both the promotion and marketing of a release, she includes the lesser-known promotional avenues of Musak, AEI, licensing, and releated tips for good marketing. Kudos to you, Ms. Schwartz, for not wasting my money...
Rating:
Summary: A good, solid, guide
Review: As the owner of a independent world music label..., I was interested in consulting this book due to various reasons. My initial desire to buy this book was to get the advice and experiences of a person who started a label from scratch. Schwartz starts from a basic level in educating the novice on the pitfalls and glories of running your own label. The other reason I enjoyed this book was due to the personal vignettes that the author offers up from others in the music business. Overall, this book is not a revelation. Rather, it is a very simple and effective guide on how to start your own label. Just as advertised.
Rating: 
Summary: Recommended for people wishing to be in the music industry
Review: Daylle Deanna Schwartz wrote an excellent survey book on how to start and run a record label. It is a book for people who are interested in starting their own music label, managers, artist, etc. I would truly recommend this book to anybody who is tossing the idea around in their head about entrepeneurship in music, college students(like me), or an artist and personal manager who is sick of waiting to get signed by a major label! Her topics ranges from Distributions, copyrights, Marketing and promotion, Radio airplay, and internatinal market, among others. Schwartz also includes tips from other indpendent label owners, distributers, publicist, journalist, and Program and music directors at college and commercial radios. She emphasizes HARDWORK, PROFESSIONALISM, PERSISTENCE, MARKETING and PROMOTING your artist. Also make sure you have a great lawyer and search for the money trail (government grants, investors, loans, etc) to start up your label. After reading this book the next step you need to do if you are truly serious and ready to work HARD and SMART is research each individual topics ranging from starting a small business, to business plans, Distribution and copyrighting,MARKETING AND PROMOTION, etc!!! There is also books on internet promotion that are more up to date. The key here is to RESEARCH and not just use this one book for all the answers. Invest in going to music seminars, people. People aren't going to you, you have to go to them and get in THEIR face!!! I can't wait to read her other music book. One more thing: she was a high school teacher, but she had the faith, motivation and drive to start her own label in this shark infested and diseased industry. Schwartz REASEARCHED and worked HARD and SMART. YOU have to start somewhere!!! For all those who wrote negativly about the book: YOU TRY WRITING A BOOK ON THE MUSIC INDUSTRY FROM EXPERIENCE!! That was thoughtful she even decided to write on starting a label. People aren't willing to share ideas on staring a label in the idustry especially since it seems like a fad! Everyone has one, it's the latest craze(sarcasim)!!!
Rating:
Summary: A great resource!
Review: Daylle did it again with this book. The information helped me to get my CD out in a way that was the most effective. She definitely understands the needs of musicians and makes it as easy as possible for us to take care of our business too. This book doesn't make starting a record label easy, but it makes it possible.
Rating: 
Summary: helpful....
Review: I found this book to be a great deal of help in starting your label. It gives a lot of things people need to be aware of, as well as additional advice from individuals associated in the music industry. A lot of the book, however, covers areas that are just common sense, and at times I find Daylle's advice to not be in agreement with my own opinions. In fact, at certain points of the book I get the urge to find this woman and give her a good smacking.
Rating: 
Summary: Only for the simple minded
Review: I hate to be so harsh in this review, but it is semi-obvious that the others who have written for this book are friends of the writer. If you have even the most basic experience, this book is not for you. If you have no background in the music biz what so ever, this books basic coverage of the topic might be for you. Why? It's like a McDonald's burger - WHERE'S THE BEEF?? She never touches on the important decision making processes or on the legalities of setting up a label (such as taxes, contracts, royalties, etc.). Skip this if you already have a clue, get it if you don't.
Rating:
Summary: ok for a starter, but there are better books out there
Review: I have read just about every music business book on here. This book is good for a kid in high school who wants to do music as a hobby, but serious musicians will do a lot better getting "How I Make $100,000/year in the Music Business" by David Hooper or "How to Be Your Own Book Agent" by Jeri Goldstein. I take my music seriously and thought that this was just a little too basic for somebody who has had any level of success. If you have a CD out or are playing in local clubs, pass on this one and get something else. Even if you're just up on mp3.com or just starting out, I think you'll quickly find that you are beyond the information this book has to offer.
Rating:
Summary: A Basic Read
Review: I read this book thinking I would walk away with the know how to start my own label as the title suggests, but that wasn't the case at all. The author explains some of the basics behind the business based on her own experience, but doesn't get into the details behind the A - B start up. I would recommend this book to someone interested in running a record label. It will help kick-start an interest and promote new ideas you wouldn't normally think of. She covers different types of deals and suggestions on running a business, however, I would move to a more informative book if you are truly serious.
Rating:
Summary: ok if you are a beginner
Review: I think this one is ok if you are a beginner, but feel that most people with experience will find it a little boring. If you have no idea about the music business, I think this is a bargain for (). However, if you're out there playing in clubs and looking for something a little more focused on helping you make that happen. I really like "How I Make $100,000 in Music" by David Hooper to help you with understanding how music business people think, the Indie Bible by David Wimble to help you with contacts, and the Jeri Goldstein book about booking to put it all together.
Rating:
Summary: ok if you are a beginner
Review: I think this one is ok if you are a beginner, but feel that most people with experience will find it a little boring. If you have no idea about the music business, I think this is a bargain for (). However, if you're out there playing in clubs and looking for something a little more focused on helping you make that happen. I really like "How I Make $100,000 in Music" by David Hooper to help you with understanding how music business people think, the Indie Bible by David Wimble to help you with contacts, and the Jeri Goldstein book about booking to put it all together.
|
