Customer Reviews

Making Music Make Money: An Insider's Guide to Becoming Your Own Music Publisher (Berklee Press)

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Being both a producer and an attorney, I have read most of what is currently on the market concerning music publishing. I've read all of the traditional music business books (This Business of Music, Everything You Need to Know About the Music Business, etc.), as well as books written by non-lawyers (Confessions of a Music Producer, The Craft and Business of Songwriting, etc.). I've even read Randy Poe's very informative _Music Publishing_. But this is the first book that I've read that seems to serve as a primer for walking a songwriter or producer through the motions of what is actually involved in executing as a music publisher.

While this book does not go into depth on copyright law, contracts, or basic business law, it doesn't pretend to be an all-in-one end-all-be-all on the subject of music publishing or entertainment law. In actuality, its true forte is in that it looks at music publishing from an entrepreneur's POV. It is a simple read that walks the reader through a number of things that should be considered by the entrepreneur who wants to run a successful music publishing company. And speaking as one who deals with songwriters and producers frequently, it is mandatory that music publishing be understood and even utilized to gain maximum compensation for your works.

The book assumes that you have a few songs under your belt in which to begin your catalog. If not, it discusses ways in which songs can be acquired. I commend Eric Beall for putting this book together. He has done much of the groundwork thinking so that you, future music publisher, can be further along in planning your business.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to know the practical elements of the music publishing business and how they can be achieved by the novice attempting to create a career in songwriting and/or music publishing.

If you're a serious writer/composer or a performing musician who wants to get a better understanding of the publishing aspects of the music industry, this book is an absolute MUST! It provides you all the necessary tools, tips and advice to get your songwriting/publishing career in motion. Unless you are a veteran songwriter who has already signed a music publishing contract and whose songs have already been recorded, broadcasted and accounted for (and therefore you have collected royalties and know all about the business and legal implications of music publishing), you will find this book extremely helpful and entertaining to read.

Do note that the book focuses specifically on all the areas relevant to music publishing, from the creative to the administrative, which I personally found extremely useful. It is written in simple, down-to-earth and easy to understand terms which will make you not only an able music publisher but also a better songwriter through detailed and effective guidelines and tips.

As for getting signed as an artist by a major label and the business and legal aspects of the recording/performing/touring areas of the music industry, well... this is not that book.

However, if you want to turn your songs into profit, get this book. Of course, no book will provide you a 100% guarantee that you'll succeed in the extremely competitive music business, but this particular one will set you on the right direction and improve your odds tenfold. You won't regret it.

This book is wonderful! It is loaded with step by step information about how to get your music published and how to be successful in the music industry. I was expecting the book to be just another "how to" guide for aspiring musicians, but this book is so much more. The real life experience of the author Eric Beall is crafted into the language and truly made me think about different aspects of the industry that I had never considered before. I am currently trying to market my songs and I have to admit I was rather lost until I read this book. It really examines the process of publishing your own music and it offers countless strategies and examples on how to do so. One thing that I found was really helpful was how clearly Beall outlines the road to success. He takes the reader step by step through the process and really focuses on each part of the journey. If you've only written 2 songs or if you've written 500, this book will help you out immensely. Another thing which I thought was truly inspiring was how he focused on the way money gets split up between the different people involved in the purchasing of songs. When you find out how much more money you could be making as your own music publisher, it really motivates you to follow Beall's process and really go for it. This book taught me so much about the industry and really gave me the confidence to pursue my dreams as a songwriter. We all know the music business is tough, but thanks to great resources like this book, we are given a clear path to follow and the encouragement to do so.

I am a aspiring songwriter trying to sell my songs to make a living. I've thought about getting a publisher but wondered if I could do it myself. For a while now I've known the basics of what a music publisher is. He grants licenses to labels, agencies, and so on for songs to make a profit for both the writer and himself. But how exactly does a publisher go about doing all this? What are the strategies they use? How do they find writers? How do they know what type of songs sell and how do they sell them? After reading Making Music Make Money by Eric Beall I am finally beginning to understand what happens inside the office. Whether you're a songwriter, or trying to start your own publishing company, this book covers just about everything you need to know to get started. It starts off basic, painless, and very easy to understand. Beall explains the role of a mucic publisher and how he/she fits into the industry. It then explains what copyright is, how to get it, and how to make a profit from it. From there it talks about setting up an office, building a business plan, and following through. Finally the book ends with tips on how to get songs, how to sell them, and how to make sure you're getting paid. After reading books like Everything You Need to Know About the Music Business by Passman, I was left a little confused in terms of music publishing, but now I have a clear understanding of not only what it is, but how to make a living from it. This is a must read for anyone who is serious about making a career in the industry.

I've read several music publishing books- learned the most from this one- and I work IN the music industry. Here's a book that is so well written, it doesn't bore me- and I bore very easily. This guy obviously knows exactly what he's talking about and writes it in a way that is EASY to understand. So many musicians I've worked with over the years just glaze when you start talking about contracts- afterall- who could avaoid the allure of playing music, cool gigs and killer recording gear? Because he was a songwriter and still a musician, the author is able to frame his points- even complex ones- in current analogies that clearly explain the topic. I want everyone I work with to read this... PRONTO!!!

I HAVE READ THIS BOOK FROM COVER TO COVER, BACK AND FORTH AND STILL REFER TO IT WHEN I NEED IT. I STUDIED WITH THIS BOOK THROUGH A BERKLEE MUSIC ONLINE COURSE. IF YOU ARE A SONGWRITER OR A PUBLISHER I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK. BETWEEN SONGWRITING CONTRACTS, COPYRIGHTS, LAWYERS, PERFORMING RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS, THIS BOOK EXPLAINS IT ALL AND IS WELL ORGANIZED. THANKS ERIC

This book covered all the basics and clearly explained the business of publishing your own work. Although he gave estimates of the percentages expected for the various sources of income I would have liked to have seen more specific examples such as sample contracts highlighting the critical terms and conditions.
All in all I learned a lot about the business and feel prepared to ask the right questions when the time comes to publish my own songs.

If you're a songwriter or composer with a growing collection of marketable songs, you'll want to read this book and learn the best way to get AND stay in the music business. You'll learn that the best way to get "signed" with a great publisher is simply to become one. This important point is covered in the first chapter so you won't miss anything.

Read it carefully, take good notes and apply the basic principles. You'll be glad you did and you'll be on the way to becoming your own "best" music publisher! If you have quality material you'll be in a strong position to negotiate licensing deals for your songs while keeping full control of your own publishing. This is especially important if you're producing "hit" material whose value will increase over time.

As a self-published music composer and producer I can tell you that this book, "Making Music Make Money", has really helped me apply and understand the things I've been doing with my own music publishing and licensing ventures. Don't sell yourself short, learn how to copyright, publish and license your own music. This book will show you how and save you years of trouble and wasted time. Publish your own music and join the new Music Biz 2.0!

These days doors are opening for smaller, DIY, or independent artists to build substantial careers for themselves making and writing music. This book is a GREAT resource for those curious to learn about the (often treacherous) subject of Publishing and Licensing.

Think of this book as a how-to turn music into money. Not only does the author simplify the concept of the Publishing company, but also breaks down the (surprisingly) simple steps to get your own publishing company up and running.

I feel a lot of artists and musicians tend to forget that music IS a business, and that they are involved in it as soon as they are paid in any degree for their services. If youre curious as to how to maximize your potential, build a future as a songwriter, or even tend to just prefer a more mellow DIY approach to your career, this book is a great way to immerse yourself in the knowledge to do so.

Definitely recommend this to artists, managers, and anyone else who could benefit from an educational and practical take on the world of licensing and publishing.

Publishing is a facet of the music industry that is often hard to understand. Eric Beall's book, "Making Music Make Money" is a great guide to help one understand music publishing, how to become your own publisher, and more importantly, how to make money.