photo by Let Ideas Compete

I have a theory that musicians do not read enough non-fiction. When I was in a band, my education into my business and my marketing was the panels at Florida Music Festival every year and skimming through Donald Passman’s “Everything You Need To Know About The Music Business.”

Now that I spend my time on the other side of the court I find myself reading more than ever, killing an average of a book per week. This includes everything from biographies on musicians, entertainers and entrepreneurs to marketing and business books. I have even been looking into economics, stocks and finances.

I am a believer that we always need to keep educating ourselves. I was reading a report from billion dollar copywriter Ted Nicholas that said all his millionaire friends spend from $25-100,000 a year in education from mastermind groups to seminars to courses and education.

Now I don’t recommend that you jump into anything in that realm, it was just to say that the people that are really creating huge incomes and portfolios continue to educate themselves.

Today I wanted to share 5 marketing books that I think would be a great addition to any musician’s book shelf. The great thing about book (like the hardcover kind) is that they are great for road trips, sharing and fast food bathroom stops.

1. Tribes by Seth Godin

I read Tribes on a flight from Orlando to Reno heading out to Lake Tahoe to snowboard last year. I didn’t look up for the entire trip until the book was finished. Seth is a brilliant marketer and was also featured as one of 5 bloggers musicians should be reading. This book is all about creating tribes in your niche and industry and the fact that you do not need a tribe of millions to make an impact. This is especially important to bands and artists. Building a tribe of a few hundred to a few thousand around your music and your movement can be the difference maker in your career. This is a must read!

2. Duct Tape Marketing by John Jantsch

I had the opportunity to interview John for Personal Branding Magazine a few months back and the guy is a really smart small business marketer. Most indie bands are operating (or should be operating) like a small business. Duct Tape Marketing is all about simple, affordable and effective marketing ideas and strategies – all things that musicians want to hear in a marketing plan.

3. Free – The Future of a Radical Price by Chris Andersen

You all know the concept, now really understand the concept. In the Internet Marketing world we call this “Moving the Free Line.” Chris just makes it a business model. If you need some convincing that giving away your music can grow your business and your bottom line, this is a book that you need to read.

The coolest part about the book – it lives by its own rules. The ebook is available for free, or you can grab the hardcover from Amazon or your favorite book store.

4. Guerrilla Marketing by Jay Conrad Levinson

The original marketing handbook. It took me a while to come to terms with this series. It wasn’t until my buddy Chris, talent buyer for the Plaza Theatre. started coming at me with awesome marketing ideas (and then started selling out shows left and right) that I started listening. There are man adaptations of the book, but the original is where you are going to get the biggest bang for your indie budget.

5. Trust Agents by Chris Brogan and Julien Smith

Chris is probably the brightest mind in social media. As someone who writes for one of his cleint’s sites, Workshifting, and having a few conversations with him, I can say that if you want to build relationships with your fans, you need to read this book. Julien and Chris lay out a framework that musicians can run with to start to create a trust with their fans and having fans become rabid followers – helping you grow your Tribe. (These 2 books are wicked back-2-back)

I hope you take some time while in the van, the hotel or taking a break from the studio and keep educating yourself on the business end of the music business. These are 5 of many great books to dig into to get your mind going and conversations started among your music team.

If you have read any of these books, let’s chat in the comments. Or if you have other suggestions I’d love to hear them and check them out myself.

-Greg Rollett

Disclosure. There are affiliate links in this post.

P.S. Be sure to download the essential musician resource guide, 100 Resources For DIY Musicians. It’s the same price as Chris Anderson’s eBook above.