Books are great, but most people use them the wrong way. The

real value in the information within a book comes when you do

something with it.

I recommend approaching books by going through them one chapter

at a time...and possibly even one sub-chapter or idea at a time.

Instead of just reading through everything, when you see an item

that you can put into action, stop and write it down.

So let's say you're reading a book like Music Business Success

and the section is all about how you can built rapport when

meeting people... Instead of just reading through it, or even

highlighting it, take out your pen and note pad and actually

write the action down.

Each section you read will probably have several action items

you can take, so make a list like, "How to Build Rapport When

Meeting Somebody" and start listing everything that you can do.

The next time you have a meeting or need to make a phone call,

you'll be able to pull out that list and go through steps you

can take to make everything go smoothly.

Then, when you get to the section on "How to Sell More CDs from

the Stage," write down action items to do that. And the next

time you're playing a gig, you'll have steps to follow which

will allow you to sell more merchandise from the back of the

room.

You get the idea...

What you don't want to happen is that you'll finish the book

simply knowing more stuff. Knowing things is fine, but it's

when knowledge meets action that things really start to happen.

And if I had to have one of the other, I'd take action every

time.

There are plenty of intelligent musicians who know what they

should do, but don't do it...and where do you think those

people are? Working dayjobs, living with their parents, and

doing things other than making music for a living.

Successful musicians take action.

Books to check out:

Music Business Success: Better Networking Skills and Creativity

for Musicians and Songwriters

CD Release Party Strategies: How to Have a Major Label Event on

a Shoestring Budget

How I Make $100,000/year in the Music Business (Without a

Record Label, Manager, or Booking Agent)

And if you really want to get into writing things down and see

how far it will take you, try Music Business Goal Planner (52

Weeks to the Record Deal, Publishing Contract, and Income You

Want).