Members Tucci Posted April 10, 2003 Members Share Posted April 10, 2003 We have two mp3s from each of our cds available for free download. ( 4 mp3s in all) I have links that say "Buy CD, no credit card stamp or envelope needed ". When someone clicks on it the y go to a page that explains how we work it: basically, you send us an email with your address and we will send you a cd. When you get the cd you will find a self-addressed stamped envelope with a note reminding you how much you owe. You just put your payment in the envelope and pop it in the mailbox and that's it. Do you think this is a good method? We've only sold a couple cds so far. We don't have much traffic yet so I guess we can't expect to sell very many. But what's the best way to sell cds off the net? We'd like to be able to sell more cds than just the ones we sell at shows. Is it ever likely that we'll seel very much straight from our website? Should we get our cd to as many online stores as possible? Perhaps CDbaby is better since people go there specifically to shop for music? So what's the best way? Any tips, tricks, experiences are appreciated. Tucci www.locuststreettaxi.com Horns, Harmony, & Humor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Fafnir777 Posted April 10, 2003 Members Share Posted April 10, 2003 Do you think this is a good method? We've only sold a couple cds so far. We don't have much traffic yet so I guess we can't expect to sell very many. But what's the best way to sell cds off the net? We'd like to be able to sell more cds than just the ones we sell at shows. Is it ever likely that we'll seel very much straight from our website? Should we get our cd to as many online stores as possible? Perhaps CDbaby is better since people go there specifically to shop for music?So what's the best way? Any tips, tricks, experiences are appreciated.Tucci Not really....some people will stiff you. The reason you aren't getting many sales, is because you aren't getting many hits. If you want the internet to work for you, you are going to have to understand a few things about marketing. There's only 1 thing that makes real money on the internet, and that is porn.Porn pays, because it has a target audience. What you need, is a target audience.You have the bait, now you just need to be able to find the right "pool of hungry fish". I would suggest you take a course on Marketing (hell, and online course would work) or even just get some marking books. One book that I promote is Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki. It will teach about how you need to think about money...it's not about marketing, but it will help you decided what you really NEED vs. what you want. (for example do you NEED a New Les Paul, or do you just want one? Would the money be better spent on Advertising in a music magazine?) You need to come up with way to get people to come to your website, which means you need a marketing and avertising plan.You have just found out the problem that all unsigned bands face at some point: You've got a "product", but you never learned about marketing-which in reality, is 75% of actually selling your product, and not the product itself - which is sad, but it's a reality. It's all marketing. Kiss sucked as musicians (and this is coming from a hardcore Kiss fan who had every LP until around 1984.), but they were MASTERS of Marketing. Some things I would suggest is to mark up a certain # of Cd's as "review" CD's. and then go to your local Magazine stand, and buy every Genre-specific music magazine. (i.e., if you play Jazz, you would be wasting your time sending CD's to "Metal Maniacs" magazine.) You could send one to Modern Drummer, because they have music reviews in their magazine. But you need to allot a certain amount of money for marketing your product. Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members scubyfan Posted April 10, 2003 Members Share Posted April 10, 2003 Tucci - i will be lauching a new site called CDLuna.com within a couple of weeks, which will sell music of indie artists. if you are interested, please email me and i'll provide more details. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Tucci Posted April 10, 2003 Author Members Share Posted April 10, 2003 Thanks scubyfan....I will probably be in touch with you. 777- I might have missed something. Are you saying that I should buy a bunch of music mags and look through them to find out where to send cds to be reviewed by the magazine? Also, I'm not oo worried about being stiffed with the way we're doing it. If it turns out that we get a large percentage of people who daon't pay, then we'll do something else. I have a feeling that almost everyone will pay. Tucci www.locuststreettaxi.com Horns, Harmony, & Humor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Fafnir777 Posted April 11, 2003 Members Share Posted April 11, 2003 Hi Tucci, that is EXACTLY what I'm saying. Hell, bum them off of your friends. Reviews are free publicity! It doesn't really matter whether the reviewer likes you or not, because everyone has bought a CD or two that were completely panned by critics, bu they absolutely love! Hell, most of the stuff I listen to gets ragged on by critics....it's not my fault they have bad tastes in music!:D:D You could also look online for Internet Radio Stations (there's tons of them out there that are "Genre Specific".) and just spend a little time listening to them, and once you find some that play the kind of music format that you would fit into, send them some Mp3's in 128Khz. format (or a CD if they request it) and send them a "Permission form" (just make a form up that says "I give (so and so) permission to play (the song name) on their radio station. Granted, I wouldn't expect any Royalties off these Internet Stations, as most of them are run by fans of the music, but it will get your name and music out there! Look for Fanzines as well. Thanks to the Internet, there are tons of "Internet Fanzines/Magazines". Hell, I've done several Interviews for online Heavy Metal magazines from Europe...which is a really strange feeling...and that's all been from my crappy sounding demo! (don't ask, it sucks...everybody lived 40 miles in different directions, we never practiced, and the guitarist never bothered learning the songs...but tons of our friends around the US wanted to hear the material-so we stuck it on mp3.com..but it got me several requests for Interviews...and some Christian radio station in California picked up, and USES one of my songs to as an Introduction to the show, and when they go for commercial breaks. I'm not getting any Royalties for it, but I let them play it for free, and they announce who it is some. So, it gets me a few hits a month at mp3.com Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Serjical Posted April 11, 2003 Members Share Posted April 11, 2003 Also, if you have a big show that you want someone to review in a magazine or on their website, how would you do that? Just ask them to come watch it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Tucci Posted April 11, 2003 Author Members Share Posted April 11, 2003 Hey thanks....I think I'm basically getting the idea. The more our name gets out there the better for us. Fanzines...hmmm, I'll have to do some searching. Tucci www.locuststreettaxi.com Horns, Harmony, & Humor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Ministry of FOG Posted April 11, 2003 Members Share Posted April 11, 2003 Tucci, Check out Paypal. They have a way to set up sales off of your website. You can set it up so that orders are pre-paid and go stratight to your own paypal account. You can also set up shipping, or not, if you want to cover that cost. I have a friend that sells leather goods off of the net through this and he doesn't lose anything on it. If you are wondering what to charge for shipping, I have done a number of shipments of single CD's in the past and found that sending a single CD from one spot in the US to any other spot is a standard 80 cents. If you want to charge a dollar for shipping (80 cents for shipping, 20 cents for handling) then you are good to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Tucci Posted April 13, 2003 Author Members Share Posted April 13, 2003 Sounds like a good plan. thanks for the tips Mr Fog and everyone. Tucci www.locuststreettaxi.com Horns, Harmony, & Humor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Trucci Posted April 22, 2003 Members Share Posted April 22, 2003 Your name is similar to mine, awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Tucci Posted April 22, 2003 Author Members Share Posted April 22, 2003 Indeed it is similar. You are the first online personality I have run into with a handle so similar to my own. Tucci www.locuststreettaxi.com Horns, Harmony, & Humor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Lady LCD Posted May 2, 2003 Members Share Posted May 2, 2003 Hiya Tucci, I run a site that is in open beta right now to handle on line sales of CDs for indie artists. It is an unusual distribution method but the reason I decided to do anything was because I was tired of the way that we were being "handled" by a label. I was in a band for years that put out a couple of CDs. In each case the label did fairly well but we, as the band, never knew what they were spending money on...and the bottom line was that if we didn't make it back we were going to get a bill, (in come cases and for some parts of things). I wanted to find a way to help the artist and get their music out there, accessible, and easy to get. I wanted a way to get my stuff out. I wanted it to be inexpensive enough for anyone who wanted to put music out for others would be able to. In fact, if you..or anyone else here would be interested in joining the testing group just drop me a line. I would love to get the feedback from any of you. You are all invited if you wish. Just let me know and I will get the info to you so that you can come over and see what I have going on. No pressure ! I just want you all to know that you are welcome. If you are interested in checking things out or in seeing if this might work for you drop me a line. (everything is completely legal and we will send you anything you want to see and answer any questions you would like Yes, I am serious...and honestly, no catch here.) I am more than happy to send you a copy of our contract for you, and your lawyer if you wish, to go over. I can have your music up and for sale at what ever price you want, as soon as I can get a copy...but only if you want to. I am not going to push at all... and unless I hear from you I won't mention this to you again, I promise. I would love to chat...but I don't wish to 'bother' you either. Unless you wish to talk about this more, I am going to call this good. I would love to talk to you though. We are completely non exclusive. Worst case, you won't be interested...which is entirely okay I would still love the chance to chat. Hoping to, if nothing else, wish you amazing luck (and endless inspiration) and to get to know the folks here. All the best LL Saxophone addict Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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