Designed to increase overall business and financial awareness - without compromising artistic integrity - this user-friendly guide helps readers start or strengthen a professional career in music. Using straightforward language, the book describes the strategies and tactics of business planning, decision-making, and marketing specifically for music performers, songwriters, agents, managers, and promoters. It provides definitions of key concepts and buzzwords, common sense principles, guidelines for starting or improving a music business, and instructional worksheets for developing a comprehensive business plan. Peppered with entertaining examples drawn from the real music world, the book helps readers take the strategic approach to every aspect of doing business in music - from product development and pricing to surviving the industry's renowned competitive environment. The companion CD-ROM contains glossaries, market statistics, websites with links, software and multi-media educational materials, business plan templates, and many other information resources.