The Indie Guide to Musci, Marketing and Money North Shore Records Category:  Marketing Publisher: North Shore Records, Inc ISBN-10:  0974622923 Pages: 187 Copyright: January 2006 It's all about marketing, promotion and the bottom line if you want to succeed and have a fulfilling career. While most artists concentrate solely on the creative aspects of their career, they typically are unaware and/or unprepared for the business and marketing side of show business. In the highly competitive world of the music industry, it is never wise to sail alone. Equipping yourself with the necessary resources can ensure safe passage through the often rough waters of show business, and lead the aspiring musician straight to musical success. Putting on a show is important; learning the business is imperative. This book will provide the struggling artist with everything they need to pilot and navigate their own course towards musical victory without American Idol, Nashville Star or other reality based shows. This book isn't just for musician. Jaci Rae is considered marketing specializer. The information in this book will help anyone succeed in the career of your choice. Here are a few brief words of advice: This is show business. While you must put on a show, you must also know the business. Because music is a not a charitable institution, make sure to conduct yourself in a businesslike manner if you want people in the industry to take you seriously. Come to the table knowing your worth. What does that mean? Make a name for yourself earning whatever you can get. Then later you can bargain for a higher wage. If you or your band is not photogenic, don't put your picture on the front of the CD. The first impression anyone has of your CD is the cover. It doesn't instantly start playing all by itself. If having your photo on the cover is not in you or your bands best interest, go to a local college with a graphic or art department and ask an instructor who they would recommend to design a CD cover. You can also ask an artistic friend to do this for you. If you hire a professional, it will be very costly. The best graphic designer I’ve ever used (and still do!) was discovered at a college art department, and did a much better job than the pros. Always put on a show. The latest American Idol winner Taylor Hicks is a great example. He went to the head of the class because he did more than just sing a song-he put on a show and entertained. Some of the highest-paid entertainers are not necessarily the ones with hit CDs. Prince and The Rolling Stones, who haven’t been chart-toppers for years, were the highest paid touring acts in the past three years. Get to know people, don't just use them. Don’t just network to use people-remember their names and who they are as people. Garth Brooks is famous for remembering people even though he may not have seen them in five years. Marketing is key, but stay true to who you are. Marketing is a wonderful tool to get you in the public eye, but make sure the person in the public eye is really you, or you will regret it one day. Write your own music. Writers make the most money as far as artists go, with a lot less investment. If necessary, take courses to teach you how to write a fabulous hook. You can often find classes at your local college or online. Additionally, there are writer groups that meet weekly in cities around the country and the world for that matter. Hook up with one of the meetings and they will help fine tune your skills. I wish you the best of luck in your musical endeavors. Remember-dreams do come true but you still have to work for them, they aren’t free! To a better day in every way Jaci Rae Excerpt I've been successful in the music business for 40 years, and I can tell you that Jaci's book The Indie Guide To Music, Marketing and Money gives you that plan. You won't need to figure it out by trial and error. Now it's up to you to follow that plan and successfully spread your music." Dennis Marcellino Of Sly & The Family Stone, The Elvin Bishop Group, and The Tokens. www.DennisMarcellino.com

Elisabeth Carlisle - Former A&M artist www.glacierrecords.com
"I might have to eat my words about no one is going to come along with a magic wand...you come awfully close!! Boy do I wish I had half that information 20 years ago! What a gift you are giving so many up-and-coming musicians. I might even try to pursue my career again!"

Cameron Beach, Trenton, NJ
"I was struggling to find my way in the music industry and let me tell you I was having a really hard time as an indie artist! I stumbled across The Indie Guide to Music, Marketing and Money by Jaci Rae and what a difference! Jaci Rae tells it like it is and helped me learn not only how to market my music more effectively, but how to run my own business from the ground up. Thanks to Jaci and The Indie Guide to Music, Marketing and Money I have changed my strategy and I am getting bookings across America."

Justin Timestin, Punk-it out!
WOW! WOW can I say it again. Jaci Rae's book, The Indie Guide to Music, Marketing and Money, is just what I have been looking for all along! To top that off, she has offered wonderful and invaluable free information on her site. So I wanted to say THANK YOU! Your information in the book as well as your free articles jacirae.com have helped me further my career and make wise business choices as well as those incredible marketing ideas! Thank you!"