Do you allow MP3 downloads of your stuff?
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Posted on Aug 09, 2007 06:30 pm
BeerHunter
www.TheLondonProject.ca
Member Since: Feb 07, 2005
Just curious about how you guys are promoting yourselves (other than gigging as that is not an option for me). Is anyone out there making money on MP3 downloads? I was originally thinking that I would NOT allow MP3 downloads of our stuff in hopes that someone would actually pay for it but in reality I don't see that happening.
What about t-shirts? Anyone selling any?
I guess what I'm asking is how the **** does someone make any money making music. I'm not chasing the big dream of cashing in and being famous. I'm talking more along the lines of trying to break even or maybe a little lining of the pockets.
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WaltChief Cook and Bottle WasherMember
Since: May 10, 2002
Aug 09, 2007 11:01 pm I've been in entertainment bands and made money, but none trying to peddal origionals, but like you say you're not up for playing out. I've made some money recording other bands, but I really had to watch who I accepted for clients. I knew a women some four/five years back got into some internet label for electronica and rap and took in about 40K one year, mostly from europe and asia sales. She put out two albums. I see on my IP home site Bouncey, and Spanial and the like, but I don't know a person who listens to them. I have a lot of folks droping by with music but I havn't seen a purchased cd for years. I have no idea how to make money making music.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Aug 10, 2007 10:33 pm I know many that allow a lower bit rate download of their mp3's but sell the higher quality one or a full on audio wav file. Some of my clients are like that. They make decent money, but as you stated, they also make money by selling CD's at shows and such.
Back in the day it was a little easier to get PR, but there were not nearly as many artist's hocking their wares out there either. But then there was no internet either. So I think that is an advantage today for most indie artists. Simply drop a link or a word or two anywhere and everywhere you can. Home made posters are cheap and you can pin them up at music stores and such on the bulletin boards for free.
But the biggest thing is if you can find a station like the Current here who will play your music and give a bit of support.
Aug 11, 2007 06:05 am i make none....ESPICALLY in recording....i deal with two-bit bands trying to make "the album of all albums" on a $500 budget......IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN....now of the "regulars" i record, they understand quality = time/money and they actually do something with it....for the most part, you're NOT gonna be Nickleback makin' your BIG DEBUT on a shoestring budget and sell millions...
the dream is dead! there's NO money in audio!
i'm a pessimist because i'm in the studio-saturated capital of the country here....and it sucks! there's more money in landscaping than there is in audio.
BUT, if you can get past that MAYBE you can make a living at it....i'm in the trenches!
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Aug 11, 2007 01:44 pm We are focusing our efforts on TV and Film because of the whole lost cause that is going on right now in the music industry. Our thoughts are that the film industry would be paying us instead of the end user. Let them worry about controlling the distribution.
I have a few friends in actively gigging bands and even though they are really good they still can't make it a full time deal (read: quit their day job).
One thing I thought was a good idea is the bands that are marketing a branded MP3 players that comes pre-loaded with some of their songs.
Another idea that seemed pretty good for the gigging musician is to include discout coupons on tix and t-shirts inside the CD case.
There appears to be money to be made, just that you have to find more creative ways of making it.
Again we are not trying to be rich or famous. I think anyone chasing that dream is likely to be dissapointed. However, recognising the current issues and understanding that things aren;t like they use to be is a great start to keeping it real.
I have a unique opportunity and that is to provide Junior Hockey teams with their own theme song and interactive DVD's showcasing the players and such. Each time the team steps on the ice for a game they would play their theme song. They are already doing this with tunes like for example the Canucks play U2's "Streets Have No Name" at the beginning of every game. The idea would be to write music "tailor made" to each Junior team. I have been given permission to place a rack of DVD's in their respective giftshops. The really nice thing about this deal is that the roster changes every year so their is no market saturation.
As for making our music available for free downloads, I figure I will make all our songs a free download. It would eventually be found on some torrent site for free anyways.
Aug 11, 2007 02:54 pm I believe that Coco had some success writing and recording a tune for his local football (soccer to you and me) team. I'm not sure how far he went with it, but that's certainly a niche worth pursuing.
The only money I have made in this music business (other than around $100 each time we gig) has come from the Civil War music that I have written and recorded. It such a narrow and specific target, that the people who are interested in it will go looking for it. I've sold about 150 of those suckers and have even made it available on iTunes for download.
Like you say, I'll never make enough to quit my day job, but it's good walkin' around money.
WaltChief Cook and Bottle WasherMember
Since: May 10, 2002
Aug 11, 2007 02:57 pm Perception, perception, perception.
Play in a local bar where folks don't make money you suck, instantly, regardless of how well you play or how good your music is.
Play out of state you are twice as good, instantly.
Play out of country you are 10 times as good instantly.
Album = zero, everybody has them. Have lable = much better.
Have mostly naked singer.... you gotta be good!
olddogMember
Since: Jul 02, 2003
Aug 11, 2007 09:49 pm I've always made my music available for free download. It's hard enough to get any one to listen for free, much less try to charge them :D
Dan
Aug 12, 2007 06:22 am wow i don't even remember posting the above! heh but upon re-reading, it still makes sense...
sorry for the off-topic rant.
my bad.
ยง=oP
cooloFrisco's Most UnderratedMember
Since: Jan 28, 2003
Aug 13, 2007 12:59 am I like the idea of giving away a couple songs and then making an album available for purchase. You know, hook them in, and then give them the option to buy. But I think the main issue is more, how do you get people to know that you even have any music available for free download, let alone purchase.
