If yesterday's reportage re: stapling CDs to telephone poles as a fresh way to get music to the listening public wasn't enough for you, check out this list at TimesOnline, How To Make It As A Musician Today.

The entire world (or at least those in it who pay attention to the ever shifting and sometimes desperate industry surrounding music) knows that an entrepreneurial spirit is required. Either that or a creative spirit which is unique enough that it translates into audiences -- really what most musicians hope for anyway.

While a few of the tips on the Times list are potentially useful, if easier said than done -- selling shares in your band, getting your song featured in a video game -- #5 borders on what is sometimes called "magical thinking" -- sell an heirloom. Yes of course, everyone has one of those lying around waiting to be sold.

Apparently it did work for Nell Bryden (a New York singer songwriter) though, whose family agreed that selling a painting that was just kicking around, thus raising $350,000 to launch her career was the thing to do. (Honestly, as a piece of advice to budding musicians?) Eminently more practical would be to read everything Bob Lefsetz has to say on marketing, pick and choose, then chart your own course.