DIY Touring & Promoting
Business and Entrepreneurship:
The Lean Startup by Eric Ries - Strategic business development and testing approaches
Profit First by Mike Michalowicz - Cash flow management for creative businesses
The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber - Building systems-dependent businesses
Good to Great by Jim Collins - Scaling businesses sustainably
Performance and Communication:
Talk Like TED by Carmine Gallo - Public speaking and presentation skills
Made to Stick by Chip Heath & Dan Heath - Creating memorable content and messages
The Charisma Myth by Olivia Fox Cabane - Developing stage presence and personal magnetism
Steal the Show by Michael Port - Performance techniques for business presentations
Marketing and Audience Development:
Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller - Clear messaging and brand communication
This Is Marketing by Seth Godin - Ethical marketing that serves audiences
Platform by Michael Hyatt - Building online presence and audience
Expert Secrets by Russell Brunson - Converting expertise into business success
Entertainment Industry:
All You Need to Know About the Music Business by Donald Passman - Industry contracts and business practices
The Billboard Guide to Touring and Promotion - Professional touring strategies
How Music Works by David Byrne - Creative and business perspectives on live performance
Professional Organizations and Communities
Industry Associations:
National Association for Campus Activities (NACA) - College market booking
International Association of Speakers Bureaus (IASB) - Professional speaking industry
Podcast Movement - Podcasting industry conferences and networking
Comedy Gives Back - Non-profit that gives back to comedians when they’re in need
Online Communities:
Touring Artist Facebook Groups - Peer networking and advice
Reddit communities: r/WeAreTheMusicMakers, r/StandUpComedy, r/podcasting
Discord servers for content creators and performers
LinkedIn groups for entertainment professionals
Software and Tools
Business Management:
QuickBooks or FreshBooks - Accounting and financial management
HubSpot or Mailchimp - Email marketing and CRM
Asana or Trello - Project and tour management
Calendly - Booking and scheduling coordination
Content Creation:
Canva or Adobe Creative Suite - Graphics and marketing materials
OBS Studio - Live streaming and content recording
Audacity - Audio editing and podcast production
Buffer or Hootsuite - Social media management
Performance and Technical:
Shure or Audio-Technica - Professional microphones
Zoom or Riverside - Remote interviews and content creation
Square or Stripe - Payment processing and merchandise sales
Google Workspace - Business email and document management
Legal and Professional Services
Essential Professional Contacts:
Entertainment attorney - Contract review and legal guidance
Accountant specializing in creative businesses - Tax planning and financial management
Insurance agent - Liability and equipment coverage
Business banker - Commercial accounts and business credit