Free guides
How the music industry actually works
Short, practical explanations of the parts of the music business that decide who gets paid and who keeps control. Drawn from The Music Business by Paul Lancaster Wiltshire, published by Wiley.
Record Deals Explained
How record deals are structured, what labels really offer, and what to understand before you sign.
Read guideArtist Management and Your Team
What a manager actually does, who else belongs on your team, and when to bring each person in.
Read guideMusic Publishing Explained
Publishing deals, administration and sync licensing explained without the jargon.
Read guideMusic Distribution Explained
A practical guide to how digital music distribution works and how to choose a distributor that fits your goals.
Read guideMusic Rights and Royalties
Who owns what in a song, and where the money comes from.
Read guideStreaming Royalties and Metadata
How streaming pays, why metadata decides who gets paid, and how to keep your share.
Read guideDirect-to-Fan Monetization
Selling and building directly with the people who already care about your music.
Read guideTouring, Live and Merch
Live shows, touring economics and merchandise as a real part of your income.
Read guideAI and the Future of Music
Generative AI is transforming music production and distribution, but genuine artistry, intention and consent remain the things it cannot replicate or replace.
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