Derek Sivers is a highly successful entrepreneur, coach and music industry pro whose inspirational blog posts are excelent reminders about the art of humanistic business and actionable advice for musicians. I particularly like his most recent post.

I feel like I know almost nothing about business, because the only business I’ve ever done is the co-op / sharing model.

It goes like this:

1. You already have something that people want.

It might be something you own, something you’ve learned how to do, or access to valuable resources, space, or people.

2. Find a way to share it with everyone who needs it.

Share because it’s what you do for friends, because it’s the right thing to do, because it makes the world a better place, and because it’ll make you deeply happy.

Share as your contribution in return for all the things and ideas that people have shared with you.

(If you’re having a bad day, or someone has recently wronged you, you may not feel the world has shared much with you, but here’s a reminder.)

3. If it takes some effort for you to share it, you can charge a little something for your effort, to ensure that this giving can continue.

My examples:
In 1994, the U.S. Copyright office still didn’t have their copyright forms online. You still had to mail a letter to Washington DC to ask them to mail you some blank forms, if you wanted to copyright your songs. I scanned all the forms, and put them on my website for free as printable downloads, for any musician who needed them. For the next year or two, until the government started putting the forms online, my site was the only place to get them. This was my first effort to contribute back to this great invention of the internet.

In 1995, I learned how to trademark my band name. It took many hours of work to figure out the legalese, but I did it.
I wrote out the step-by-step instructions and put them on my band’s website for free. For years it was the go-to resource for musicians who wanted to trademark their name.

In 1996, I had a little record label, so I got a UPC barcode account, so I could put unique UPC barcodes on my CDs. I had to pay $750 to the Universal Code Council to get a company account, but that meant I was allowed to create 100,000 products under my account. Musician friends asked how, so I showed them how, but also said they could use one of my product IDs. At first, I did this for free, as a favor, until friends started sending strangers my way. Because it took a little work to generate the number, create their EPS/TIFF graphic barcode, and keep track of their unique IDs forever, I charged $20. Over the next 12 years, this made me almost $2 million.

In 1997, I got a credit card merchant account to sell my own CD at live shows. It cost $1000 in set-up fees and took three months of red-tape paperwork. Then I built a little online shopping cart, which also took months of work, just to sell my own CD. Musician friends asked if they could use mine instead of having to go through all of that work, so I said OK. At first, I did this for free, as a favor, until it was taking up all of my time. Because it took me 45 minutes of work to digitize, stock, set up a new album in my system, I charged $35 per new album. Because it took 10 minutes of work to pick, pack, and ship a purchased CD, I charged $4 per CD sold. Over the next 12 years, this made me about $20 million.

In 1999, I had learned a lot about hosting websites. Linux, Apache, PHP, SQL, FTP, DNS, Qmail, SpamAssassin, etc. I had done it for myself for my band’s website, then for CD Baby, and bought my own servers. So when friends would complain about their existing web-hosting company, I’d host them on my servers instead. At first, I did this for free, as a favor, until it was filling up my server. Because each server cost me $300/month, and I had to hire a full-time person to manage this, I charged $20 per month. (In 1999, this was way cheap.)
Over the next 9 years, this made me about $5 million.

Since 2000, I’ve been sharing everything I’ve learned for free. I’m not the smartest guy, probably below average, but it costs nothing to share, and it’s the right thing to do, so I do. Over the last 11 years, this made me incredibly happy and lucky, because of all the interesting people I’ve met by doing it.

Point being:

None of these things looked like a business venture.

All of them were just sharing something I already had.

People often ask me if I have any suggestions for what kind of business they should get into.

I tell them the only thing I know how to recommend: “Start by sharing whatever you’ve got.”

© 2011 Derek Sivers

Derek Sivers
Entrepreneur, programmer, avid student of life. I make useful things, and share what I learn.

Me in 10 seconds

I’m an entrepreneur. I treat work as play.
I live by “whatever scares you, go do it”.
I’m a minimalist. The less I own, the happier I am.
I’m a learning addict.
I’m very comfortable being the leader and being on stage.
This is my favorite fable.

Official Bragging Bio

Originally a professional musician and circus clown, Derek Sivers created CD Baby in 1998. It became the largest seller of independent music online, with $100M in sales for 150,000 musicians. In 2008, Derek sold CD Baby for $22M, giving the proceeds to a charitable trust for music education.

He is a frequent speaker at the TED Conference, with over 5 million views of his talks.

In 2011, he published a book which shot to #1 on all of its Amazon categories.

Derek Sivers lives in Singapore, where he is creating his next company.

What makes the holidays meaningful is the spirit of giving. Why not keep it going year round?

Compassion in action is something we might not expect from billionaires but that’s what’s happening. We hope the giving gets to those who need it most…the billions living on a dollar or two a day, those without sanitary conditions, housing and other basic needs.

SEATTLE (AP) — Forty wealthy families and individuals have joined Microsoft Corp. co-founder Bill Gates and billionaire investor Warren Buffett in a pledge to give at least half their wealth to charity.
Six weeks after launching a campaign to get other billionaires to donate most of their fortunes, the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. released the first list of people who have signed what he and Gates call the “giving pledge.”

Buffett decided in 2006 to give 99 percent of his fortune to charity. Then, he was worth about $44 billion. After five years of investment returns while making annual gifts to five foundations, Buffett’s fortune totals nearly $46 billion. Bill and Melinda Gates do most of their philanthropic giving through their foundation, which had assets of $33 billion as of June 30 and has made at least $22.93 billion in total grant commitments since 1994.

Buffett said he, the Gateses and others have made 70 to 80 calls to some of the nation’s wealthiest individuals. The people who agreed to the pledge are from 13 states, wit the most participants in California and New York.

Among those who haven’t signed the pledge, some prefer to keep their philanthropy anonymous, some were not available to talk, and others were not interested, Buffett said. Many on the list will be asked to call others, and small dinners will be held across the country in coming months to talk about the campaign. “We’re off to a terrific start,” Buffett said. Buffett said he and Bill Gates also will meet with groups of wealthy people in China and India within the next six months to talk about philanthropy. They hope the idea of generosity will spread, but they have no plans to lead a global campaign, Buffett said.

Gates and Buffett estimate their efforts could generate $600 billion dollars in charitable giving. In 2009, American philanthropies received a total of about $300 billion in donations, according to The Chronicle of Philanthropy. Stacy Palmer, editor of The Chronicle, was surprised and impressed by the speed at which the giving pledge idea has been accepted. “I think it’s remarkably fast that so many people went public with their commitments. The world of philanthropy tends to be very slow moving,” she said. Palmer noted that many of names on the list are people who are known for their
philanthropic generosity. She said she would be more excited when she sees names that have not been on other major donor lists. Taking the idea past billionaires toward millionaires and regular working people could make an even bigger impact, Palmer added. Jason Franklin, executive director Bolder Giving, a relatively new organization that encourages big gifts from everyday people, agreed. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation gave Bolder Giving a $675,000 challenge grant earlier this year to encourage more people to give at least 20 percent of their personal wealth to charity.

Franklin estimates the giving power of the world’s millionaires eclipses the potential donations from U.S. billionaires many times over. Gates and Buffett are asking billionaires not just to make a donation commitment, but to also pledge to give wisely and learn from their peers. Their group has no plans for combined giving, and none of the philanthropists will be told how or when to give their money. “Everybody has their own interests,” said New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who participated in a teleconference with Buffett on Wednesday as one of the individuals who has signed the giving pledge. “That’s what’s wonderful about private philanthropy.” Bloomberg, who has a fortune estimated by Forbes magazine at $18 billion, said he has changed his personal philosophy over the years from wanting to be more private about his giving toward trying to play a leadership role. He said his whole family is in tune with his giving plan. “I’ve always thought your kids get more benefit out of your philanthropy than your will,” he added. Others who have signed the pledge include filmmaker George Lucas, media mogul Ted Turner and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen.

Click here to visit the Giving Pledge Site.

You may have read our past review of the powerful film, Angels in the Dust and perhaps purchased a bracelet to help AIDS orphans or mothers living with AIDS. Please consider joining me in helping the family described in the film below. Thank you!

Meet Mariam, a five year old orphan living with her grandmother in Uganda. Her family’s house, made of mud and straw, is collapsing due to the heavy rainy season. If we raise $4,000 by June 15, EVERY dollar will go directly into building Mariam and her family a new home. WATCH the video and then… <CLICK HERE to HELP & read more

If you are considering gifts for this holiday season or anytime, here are a few recent picks in CD’s, Books, and Giving.

Top Five CD’s

1. Song Sourcing is a brilliant idea executed beautifully by singer-songwriter Michael Stillwater. In this just released 2 CD package, you’ll find 30 folk, jazz and rock tracks of Michael’s great guitar chords along with some percussion but without vocals. That’s where you or your gift recipient come in. Listening to the tracks, let yourself dive into the music and allow the music to become you.  Then explore what musical or lyrical ideas are inspired and let them out.  In this virtual duet (between you and the music, or together with a partner, family or friends), listeners can explore what’s awaiting release and expression, perhaps some of it for years. Think of Song Sourcing as a musical possibility catalyst. This beautifully packaged CD set is a unique gift to singers and non-singers alike. You can download a free sample here. To listen to more sample tracks and order, visit the Song Sourcing site now.

2. NOW HERE: Maesyn I first met Maesyn at The Inn of the Seventh Ray in Topanga, CA about a year ago. She gave me her CD for review and I placed it on my rather large listening pile. It was not until I began preparing for this blog that I had the opportunity to listen. I was delighted by Maesyn’s musicality, intelligent lyrics and great rhythms. Here in her own poetic words is a description of her music, “…an amalgamation of funky grooves, sultry passionate vocals, orchestral musicality, sophisticated lyricism and inspirational esotericism….best known for her improvisational spontaneity, lush resonant vocals, playfully passionate violin and exotic full body shakti”. Her musical influences are The Beatles, Bob Dylan and Paul Simon. My favorite tracks are Long Division, rap in a great odd time signature and Break Free’s empowering advice. Check out Maesyn’s exciting music at her My Space site.

3. Emergence 2012, Alex Theory and Daniel Pinchbeck In their musical collaboration, sound healing visionary Alex Theory and best selling author, Daniel Pinchbeck have woven a sound tapestry of mind-bending music that infuses psychoacoustic rhythms with the chants of ayahuasca shamans and natural harmonics found deep within the forests of South America. The result is a sacred journey through an aural landscape that is mysterious, haunting, and expansive. Definitely great background music for parties or lovemaking. You can also pick up a copy of Daniel’s book, 2012: The Return of Quetzalcoatl, put on this music, and enjoy the perfect soundtrack

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4. Sangria, Mariah Parker If you like the Indian, Latin/Flemenco and Jazz genres, you’ll enjoy drinking in the melodies and rhythms of Sangria. The musical flavors served up on this world fusion CD include tabla, santur, cello, bansuri, English horn, flute and timbales. Mariah’s compelling original music features some great musicians including Matthew Monfort on scalloped fretboard guitar, Kash Killion on bass, cello and sangri and Paul McCandless on soprano sax and English horn. A great addition to your world music collection.

5, Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar, Matthew Montfort In addition to playing on Mariah Parkers CD above, Matthew is the leader of one of my favorite bands, Ancient Future. Since 1978, he has studied and mastered his unique instrument that features a board with no wood between the frets. The result is that his fingers only touch the strings producing a very clean sound more like a sitar.  In this solo outing, he provides the listener with a wonderful selection of ragas that show off his mastery and most interesting compositions. If you enjoy solo guitar with a twist, Seven Serenades is definitely worth a listen. You can check out more of Matthew’s music as well as Ancient Future at Ancient-Future.com

Top Five Books

1. The Value of Values by Ed Gagnon. What if we lived in a values driven world where Integrity, Respect for Life, Courageousness, Purposefulness and Generosity were the norm? Is it possible? Ed believes it is and that that world will be brought on by the parents of today’s children if they read and apply his practical methods for empowering their kids to live values driven lives. Why has he chosen to write about values? “I have chosen to have a purpose. I have come to realize that the meaning of life is to create a life of meaning, to leave a legacy rich in values to which I have been true. I may not be able to control life, aging, and death. But I can control what I do while I am alive. This legacy I choose to leave behind will be something my children will also be able to leave behind. The values I choose to live by will be the sustenance for my family’s happiness for generations to come”. If you feel the same way, have a child and want to help them find their purpose and live from a set of  guiding values you and they can be proud of, this book may help you in that process. To learn more, click here.

2. The Farmacist Desk Reference by Don Tolman is an indispensable 1600 page two volume encyclopedia of diseases and the vegetables, fruits and herbs that have proven effective against them. An essential part of the New Paradigm is Self Care and no set of books I know of will supply you with this collection’s level of valuable and potentially life-saving information. To learn more, visit author Don Tolman’s site and enjoy his video. He is offering a free gift of his 2 hour presentation on his basic elements of optimal health with the purchase of each set.

3.  There’s No Business Like Soul Business by Derek Rydall As we approach 2012, the end of the Mayan Calendar, it is not as some Hollywood films portray, the end of the world or doomsday. Much more, it is the end of an outdated paradigm promoting greed and fear. It is the small beginnings of a spiritual approach to life and work. And it is long overdue. There’s No Business Like Soul Business, applies this shift to the entertainment industry. It is an approach to merge life and work with helpful exercises to build the way. As a writer of consciousness-raising films in Hollywood, I applaud this manual and hope for more that are intent on writing and selling their scripts without selling their souls. To learn more, visit Derek’s great site.

1. The DO Unbuntu Bracelet is crafted by women living with AIDS in South Africa’s Eastern Cape — one of the country’s poorest regions with an unemployment rate of 70%. The Unbuntu Bracelet campaign has given this community an opportunity to generate a sustainable income. The income will help these women care for themselves and their children, preventing more orphans. This campaign was started by Louise Hogarth whose documentary, Angels in the Dust, tells the story of these mothers and children in need and a well to do white couple who gave up their comfortable lifestyle to create an orphanage and school for the children. You can order one or more bracelets and learn more about the documentary at www.doactnow.org

2. Fasting.com is the home of the best designed fasting program I’ve found and as a gift, this could be one of the more unusual, but also one of the best since it directly contributes to health. At one point in my life I inhaled some toxic fumes from a cleaning fluid that produced some growths in my bladder. My doctor who was the head of Urology at UCLA told me I would need to have a series of operations to remove these growths and that they would probably return again and again. I had two of the painful procedures and decided there had to be a better solution. I fasted for 70 days with Fastmaster, Dennis Paulson, and then waited two years to return for a test and sure enough, no growths. So I am a believer. You can check out his proven program which has helped thousands around the world with no hunger or loss of energy.

3. Kiva.com is an extraordinary online nexus of entrepreneurs with ideas that support their local communities and families and compassionate lenders who want to use a small portion of their charitable giving funds to support others. A lender simply reviews the listings of worthy individuals and decides to lend one or more people a fixed amount. That loan is repaid and the money can then be lent again. As of November, Kiva has facilitated over $100 million in micro loans. You can give to the individuals or give a gift certificate to others so that they can give compliments of you. How cool is that!

4. The Power of Giving: How Giving Back Enriches Us All by Azim Jamal & Harvey McKinnon could have been listed in the book section but I feel its an valuable catalyst that promotes giving and thought it best to place it in this section. The Power of Giving is a practical and visionary guide in which you’ll discover the more you give, the more you have. Simple and easy to use, The Power of Giving provides a wealth of down-to-earth ideas, exercises, and real-life stories that reveal to each reader the unique gifts he or she has to give-including kindness, ideas, advice, attention, hope, and more-and the many ways you can benefit from giving them, from better health to better job prospects.

5. The Gift of Giving is a one-stop website featuring hundreds of organizations you can give to across many categories including animals, arts, celebrity charities, children, disabled, education, the environment, hunger, service and women’s causes.