I remember stumbling upon Emilie’s website Puttylike years ago when I was still living in the San Francisco Bay Area (read: Berkeley, East Bay). At that point in time, I could only imagine doing music (albeit a variety of music gigs like performing, composing, teaching recording backing tracks and blogging). Although, the idea of multiple interests (multipotentiality) was interesting, it didn’t grab me as hard as it does now.
Over the past year and a half, I personally felt a strong sense of curiosity for the other aspects of my life. I remember finally being curious about business and marketing around 2012 (via a business book that my girlfriend introduced to me). Then, it slowly became a part of my personal research. It was no longer enough to just be curious about music but the whole structure of making a living as a musician.
As I mentioned, since last year – I started to be curious about the nature of being a musician & a creative in general. I felt the frustration of watching fellow musicians not being able to make a living in the creative industry. Part of it was the lack of information of the logistics of it all.
How do you make money from music, consistently?
When does art cease to be art when money is involved?
Discovering this book at a bookstore recently got me interested back into Emilie’s work. This book really is a great summary of many issues and business models (or frameworks for living/making a living) in the modern age. Part of it discusses the issues with being a multipotentialite (someone with many interests or creative pursuits) and part of it offers solutions to the issues.
All in all, the book is fascinating and is a compelling read. I finished it in 3 sittings within a day (today) and already feel the need to take notes on a second reading. The exercises (questions) at the end of each chapter provide a useful process to digest the material (in real life). This is valuable as it makes the book’s material a living breathing resource.
In conclusion, if you ended up on my page to sus out whether you should buy this book, go for it. It’s good.
Pros: Concisely written in a conversational style. Easy to read.
Cons: None
TLDR: If you feel you’re not meant to do one main job/work/passion for the rest of your life, this book can help provide some framework for your future. I certainly learned a lot from it and definitely recommend it.
Get your copy here:
http://howtobeeverything.com/
[Submissions for Review Consideration]
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