Tim Sweeney's Guide to Releasing Independent Records

A little thin for...(price), only if you value the book by the amount of paper between the covers. There is more relevant information per page in Tim Sweeneys guide than in a collection of books twice the size. If you are at all unsure about how to go about that first release this book is essential. It is clear, concise, and straight to the point, with an easy to follow a-b guide of how to go about it. Yes it may all be a little old hat for today considering there is no mention of the internet, MP3's, multi media CD's etc or any of the other developments within the industry since 96, but if you are interested in an independent record release through the more traditional routes, pressing plant to distibutor to retailer, radio, gigs etc this book is perfect for you. I might add this book is more concerned with the giging band type scenario and doesn't really address the dance or electronic music scene or the numerous new marketing strategies open to the electronic musician, however this book is a really good place to begin to understand the process of, as it says on the cover, releasing an independent record.

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.

I have read Tim Sweeney's articles on the web at Get Signed.com. I lot of musicians I talk with own and have been using a copy of this book. I finally decided to get one for myself. This is the easiest to read most direct book I have ever seen. I'm embarassed to say that I have spent over $200 on different music business books over the years. Almost all of them are worthless except for maybe one good idea. Not this book. When I finished it, I noticed that I had something highlighted on almost every page. Some people have told me this book is to simple. That's what's great about it. You can follow it and use it as a plan to sell more CDs. I know a lot of musicians who bought books by people who "claimed they were in the music business". I got discouraged just like they have.But Sweeney's book actaully works becuase Sweeney works with bands all the time. If you are willing to do the work he tells you and shows you how to do, you will have success. Or you can complain it didn't work. Here's the simple fact. My CD is 2 years old. I ordered 1,000 CDs. On my own I sold 300 copies in 1 year. Using Sweeney's directions I have sold almost 700 this year. I am actually waiting for my reorder.This book is for real.

I confess. I read the reviews before I bought the book even though I knew a lot of people who read it and used it. While some reviews said the book is too simplistic, isn't that the point! I read the book in one day, use it as a bible and have had good success in the first month. I got a distribution deal in 1 week. Created a promo kit that actually got me a review and have booked 2 shows at clubs where I couldn't play before. If this is what the info in the book has done for me in 1 month, I want to see what it can do every month. There are too many books written by lawyers that try to talk over your head. This guy writes in plain english. I bought extra copies for my friends. As a side note, I called Sweeney's number in the front of book and he answered the phone himself and talked with me for 15 minutes. Try that with some of the other books I bought. I have also been using Sweeney's Guide To Successfully Playing Live. Helped me sell 11 month CDs at my last show. Betterthen my average of 3 I normally sell. Simple is better and worth your time and money.

Having purchased and read this book AFTER my last band unsuccessfully self-released a CD, I can only hope that others will read this before attempting a self-release.Over the past 3-4 years I have read almost every title I could track down on releasing an independent recording, but NONE come close to Sweeny's book. The information presented here is absolutely essential to anyone even thinking about going it alone. Sweeny's writing style is informal and easy-to-follow, getting straight to the need-to-know info.Having been through the self-release grinder without benefit of this wisdom, it amazes me that all other books don't present this straight-up "horse sense". Don't release a CD before reading this book and absorbing what Tim tells you!