The DIY Career Manifesto

The Unconventional Guide to Turning Your Talents and Know-How into a Profitable Business

By: Bob Baker

Narrated by: Bob Baker

Are you ready to create a living on your own terms?

The purpose of this audiobook is to inspire you to take your talents and know-how and turn them into a flourishing livelihood - one that makes a difference in the world while allowing you to make a decent living. I've been self-employed much of my adult life. In this book, for the first time, I share the actions and principles that helped me design a life that's ideally suited to who I am.

I call it a "manifesto" because it is my urgent call to action. I'm tired of seeing countless people living unfulfilled lives because they think there's no other choice. If you have fallen victim to this mass hypnosis, it's time to wake up!

I describe it as "unconventional" because my philosophy goes against the grain of traditional business wisdom. As I share my personal journey to full-time, self-employed status, you'll see that I definitely took the road less traveled.

Even if you're forward thinking and embrace the modern "indie" ethic, I bet you still have a bit of lingering "safe route" residue rolling around in your brain. It is my hope that this book exposes that nasty mind virus and replaces it with a more empowering mindset.

Also, I refer to the new work-life you will build as a "DIY Career." Of course, DIY stands for "do it yourself" - the idea being that your vocation is "self-made" and your journey must always start with you. It's the brave act of designing a life that makes the most of expressing and sharing who you authentically are.

That's why I wrote this book. To light a fire. To share my story. And to inspire you to create your own DIY Career that is ideally suited for YOU!

If that sounds good, let's start rockin'.

©2013 Bob Baker (P)2014 Bob Baker

excellent starting point!

a simple book with great actionable concepts to dig through your own life and find imaginative ways to explore ways to test and profit from your unique strong points.
will definitely be going through it many times in the future!

An "Organic" Approach for a Business of Joy

Would you consider the audio edition of The DIY Career Manifesto to be better than the print version?

The audio edition infused with Bob Baker's voice makes the book more palpable; he sounds like a friend sharing his ideas to help the listener realize his or her own dreams.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I really enjoyed Bob's personal examples. I especially related to the inspiration that Led Zeppelin's guitarist provided for him when he was young and how that helped give him the mindset that motivates him today. Also, the experience of developing a minimal viable product helps make a foray into a business more realistic; it led to Bob's popular Guerrilla Marketing for Musicians.

What does Bob Baker bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Bob's natural, engaging voice conveys a passion and sincerity that would be hard to imagine in just the written word.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

In converting this to a film, an appropriate, informative tag line might be something like "Live your truth, and live your passion while making a living."

Any additional comments?

Bob's book appeals to me on several levels, perhaps the most appealing being the fact that he offers no methodical stepwise plan that requires blind devotion to a system. Rather, I heard 13 principles that give me the ability to develop my own way according to my own personality, abilities, and applications.

Great Ideas Here

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, but only because it was good to take time to think about applying the ideas and suggestions put forth.

Any additional comments?

I have met Bob, jammed with him, attended a seminar, and keep his Guerrilla Marketing book close by. I have recommended Bob's books and videos to several friends. This book does not focus on the music business but more broadly focuses on a wide range of applications and suggestions. The ideas presented here can help pinpoint your skills and interests to begin your own DIY Career.

Great Book!

As usual BoB Baker spread a very clear message directly to the heart and brain of the reader.

As a motivational speaker and author he share a bunch of very rich concepts and ideas, which are validated by his extraordinary experience in the music business.

I totally recommend this book to independent musician.

Succinct and Easy to Follow

I enjoyed the content and the author's ability to break down his information well. It wasn't a chore to listen to and note-taking was easy.