Comments on: How can you sell mp3s at gigs? http://newmusicstrategies.com/2008/05/12/how-can-you-sell-mp3s-at-gigs/ Music culture, strategy and thinking in the digital age Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:46:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: TuneMe http://newmusicstrategies.com/2008/05/12/how-can-you-sell-mp3s-at-gigs/comment-page-1/#comment-2070 TuneMe Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:05:00 +0000 http://newmusicstrategies.com/2008/05/12/how-can-you-sell-mp3s-at-gigs/#comment-2070 These are the various outlets I know of incorporting the sale of mp3s at shows: www.discrevolt.com - I like this idea, since the cards are small & easy to carry around, but the price is a bit high especially if you are giving away some of the Cards. It also requires the buyer to go to a website, and if you give away some for free, who knows if they even went to the site to get your song, so you may be wasting money. This idea goes both ways with me. usb drives - Not a great solution, very expensive & in my opinion, wasteful. www.fanbandsoftware.com - I tried the software, and it is actually pretty good, and fairly easy to use. To sum it up, you use your laptop to sell mp3 files to your fans at the gig, in a checkout-ish interface. Fans enter their email address at the show, and regardless if there is internet or not, they will get a download link or file attachment of the song, with mapquest links to your next show to their email address. Fans can also directly add themselves to your band myspace page from the checkout. All great ideas. There is a free version & a reg version. The thing is, you need a laptop & right now FB is only Windows Compatible, no MAC version yet, but I guess you can still use it on a mac if you use windows too. My band is considering using this, our guitar player has a laptop, and it is the cheapest way to sell songs live.($20 to buy). CDs with mp3 files on them - Lousy quality on a high-fidelity CD. I think if a fan sees a CD they get immedietely turned off. Anyone with any other ideas, spill your guts out, I like to know. These are the various outlets I know of incorporting the sale of mp3s at shows:

http://www.discrevolt.com – I like this idea, since the cards are small & easy to carry around, but the price is a bit high especially if you are giving away some of the Cards. It also requires the buyer to go to a website, and if you give away some for free, who knows if they even went to the site to get your song, so you may be wasting money. This idea goes both ways with me.

usb drives – Not a great solution, very expensive & in my opinion, wasteful.

http://www.fanbandsoftware.com – I tried the software, and it is actually pretty good, and fairly easy to use. To sum it up, you use your laptop to sell mp3 files to your fans at the gig, in a checkout-ish interface. Fans enter their email address at the show, and regardless if there is internet or not, they will get a download link or file attachment of the song, with mapquest links to your next show to their email address. Fans can also directly add themselves to your band myspace page from the checkout.
All great ideas. There is a free version & a reg version.

The thing is, you need a laptop & right now FB is only Windows Compatible, no MAC version yet, but I guess you can still use it on a mac if you use windows too. My band is considering using this, our guitar player has a laptop, and it is the cheapest way to sell songs live.($20 to buy).

CDs with mp3 files on them – Lousy quality on a high-fidelity CD. I think if a fan sees a CD they get immedietely turned off.

Anyone with any other ideas, spill your guts out, I like to know.

]]> By: syd http://newmusicstrategies.com/2008/05/12/how-can-you-sell-mp3s-at-gigs/comment-page-1/#comment-2075 syd Mon, 06 Apr 2009 20:37:07 +0000 http://newmusicstrategies.com/2008/05/12/how-can-you-sell-mp3s-at-gigs/#comment-2075 It says something about the state of things that we are *still* on this conversation a year later. That's an epoch in internet/neo-music business time. For my part, the try 3 downloads thing worked alright, but not as well as I had hoped. Last month I released my new EP "Upswing" for free online and plan to do the same a few more times this year and then sell a freemium package at the end of 09 with acoustic performances of the tunes, etc, I think the upsell is going to be a big part of our business model from now on. Giving away cards or usb sticks (or, harder, selling them) has proved spotty--some audiences go home an download immediately, others just don't. I am started to really think that @J had a point -- getting them to text a number while you have their attention--that might be the next thing I try. If you know any companies that are offering that service, comment back, I'd love to know. In the year though there has been some progress in selling downloads online (bandcamp, noisetrade)-- I still went with my own model at http://co-opsounds.com/downloads -- I wanted something more customizable. But that says to me we'll see some progress in the coming year on selling digital at gigs. It says something about the state of things that we are *still* on this conversation a year later. That’s an epoch in internet/neo-music business time.

For my part, the try 3 downloads thing worked alright, but not as well as I had hoped. Last month I released my new EP “Upswing” for free online and plan to do the same a few more times this year and then sell a freemium package at the end of 09 with acoustic performances of the tunes, etc, I think the upsell is going to be a big part of our business model from now on.

Giving away cards or usb sticks (or, harder, selling them) has proved spotty–some audiences go home an download immediately, others just don’t. I am started to really think that @J had a point — getting them to text a number while you have their attention–that might be the next thing I try. If you know any companies that are offering that service, comment back, I’d love to know.

In the year though there has been some progress in selling downloads online (bandcamp, noisetrade)– I still went with my own model at http://co-opsounds.com/downloads — I wanted something more customizable. But that says to me we’ll see some progress in the coming year on selling digital at gigs.

]]> By: mr. tunes http://newmusicstrategies.com/2008/05/12/how-can-you-sell-mp3s-at-gigs/comment-page-1/#comment-2074 mr. tunes Mon, 06 Apr 2009 18:24:20 +0000 http://newmusicstrategies.com/2008/05/12/how-can-you-sell-mp3s-at-gigs/#comment-2074 ok i just feel like if someone is tech savvy enough to listen to an mp3 player they should be familiar with how to rip it into iTunes. i guess you can offer your cd in a dual tray jewel case though which has mp3 and wave versions if you are so inclined. ok i just feel like if someone is tech savvy enough to listen to an mp3 player they should be familiar with how to rip it into iTunes. i guess you can offer your cd in a dual tray jewel case though which has mp3 and wave versions if you are so inclined.

]]> By: David O. http://newmusicstrategies.com/2008/05/12/how-can-you-sell-mp3s-at-gigs/comment-page-1/#comment-2073 David O. Mon, 06 Apr 2009 18:21:57 +0000 http://newmusicstrategies.com/2008/05/12/how-can-you-sell-mp3s-at-gigs/#comment-2073 You would sell a cd of mp3s to give the consumer the format they want. This does mean the elimination of music cd. If the fans want mp3s at your gig the least expensive way to sell them is put them on a cd or dvd. If they want mp3s but not on a cd or dvd, then a usb drive is also an option. If there isn't a demand for this format at your gigs then don't bother. You would sell a cd of mp3s to give the consumer the format they want.
This does mean the elimination of music cd. If the fans want mp3s at your gig the least expensive way to sell them is put them on a cd or dvd. If they want mp3s but not on a cd or dvd, then a usb drive is also an option. If there isn’t a demand for this format at your gigs then don’t bother.

]]> By: mr. tunes http://newmusicstrategies.com/2008/05/12/how-can-you-sell-mp3s-at-gigs/comment-page-1/#comment-2072 mr. tunes Mon, 06 Apr 2009 17:18:37 +0000 http://newmusicstrategies.com/2008/05/12/how-can-you-sell-mp3s-at-gigs/#comment-2072 why would you sell a cd of mp3s? you are giving them lower quality music with less accessibility. i can only see this being useful if you want to sell them a large amount of music that's above 70 minutes. :confused: why would you sell a cd of mp3s? you are giving them lower quality music with less accessibility. i can only see this being useful if you want to sell them a large amount of music that’s above 70 minutes. :confused:

]]> By: David O. http://newmusicstrategies.com/2008/05/12/how-can-you-sell-mp3s-at-gigs/comment-page-1/#comment-2071 David O. Mon, 06 Apr 2009 16:43:53 +0000 http://newmusicstrategies.com/2008/05/12/how-can-you-sell-mp3s-at-gigs/#comment-2071 How do you sell mp3s at a gig ? Put it on a cd or dvd. Remember mp3 is still data and you can copy that data to a cd or dvd. Just like you can copy pictures to a cd, you can copy mp3's to a cd. Also keep in mind: a lot of the latest cd players can play mp3s. most homemade cds are created with data cd. How do you sell mp3s at a gig ?

Put it on a cd or dvd.

Remember mp3 is still data and you can copy that data to a cd or dvd. Just like you can copy pictures to a cd, you can copy mp3′s to a cd.

Also keep in mind:
a lot of the latest cd players can play mp3s.
most homemade cds are created with data cd.

]]> By: Jeff http://newmusicstrategies.com/2008/05/12/how-can-you-sell-mp3s-at-gigs/comment-page-1/#comment-2069 Jeff Sun, 29 Mar 2009 07:16:21 +0000 http://newmusicstrategies.com/2008/05/12/how-can-you-sell-mp3s-at-gigs/#comment-2069 My band uses FanBand (www.fanbandsoftware.com), which is software that allows bands to sell their mp3 files at shows directly to you live audience. Fans at the show enter there email address, they receive an email that contains download links (or file attachments as well) with mapquest links to our next show. If an internet connection is not available at the show, once there is a connection, the software automatically sends the fans purchases without the software even having to be open. It only cost my band 19.99. It isthe most economical solution without paying money in mp3 cards that don't give me a direct email address or myspace address of my new fan. My band uses FanBand (www.fanbandsoftware.com), which is software that allows bands to sell their mp3 files at shows directly to you live audience. Fans at the show enter there email address, they receive an email that contains download links (or file attachments as well) with mapquest links to our next show.

If an internet connection is not available at the show, once there is a connection, the software automatically sends the fans purchases without the software even having to be open.

It only cost my band 19.99. It isthe most economical solution without paying money in mp3 cards that don’t give me a direct email address or myspace address of my new fan.

]]> By: Mr. Tunes http://newmusicstrategies.com/2008/05/12/how-can-you-sell-mp3s-at-gigs/comment-page-1/#comment-2068 Mr. Tunes Mon, 19 May 2008 23:17:29 +0000 http://newmusicstrategies.com/2008/05/12/how-can-you-sell-mp3s-at-gigs/#comment-2068 hey very good responses here(esp. syd). i think i can dig this place! i like the top-middle-bottom concept and agree that vinyl is too expensive to press, for almost anyone these days. DVD-Audio should get a bit of a boost since some cars are going to start to support it(new acuras i think?). selling a printed blank cd that people go home and burn is completely insane to me, maybe i was missing the point, but that's taking a step back on convenience. that mixtape USB stick was $20 for one if i read correctly - not very economical. but they look awesome. great responses though, thanks everyone. hey very good responses here(esp. syd). i think i can dig this place!

i like the top-middle-bottom concept and agree that vinyl is too expensive to press, for almost anyone these days.

DVD-Audio should get a bit of a boost since some cars are going to start to support it(new acuras i think?).

selling a printed blank cd that people go home and burn is completely insane to me, maybe i was missing the point, but that’s taking a step back on convenience.

that mixtape USB stick was $20 for one if i read correctly – not very economical. but they look awesome.

great responses though, thanks everyone.

]]> By: Milton http://newmusicstrategies.com/2008/05/12/how-can-you-sell-mp3s-at-gigs/comment-page-1/#comment-2067 Milton Sun, 18 May 2008 00:09:54 +0000 http://newmusicstrategies.com/2008/05/12/how-can-you-sell-mp3s-at-gigs/#comment-2067 I had a look at that "Discrevolt" site and I must admit I was impressed with the concept, look and feel of the product and the site... ...But I noticed something else that startled me slightly; I did NOT recognize any of the artists on the left side menu. That is not to say that they are not known by others obviously but my point here is one I have mentioned before: "Obscurity is the artists biggest nemesis" Whether you are pushing mp3's, .WAV's, CD's, etc. etc...It is growing increasingly difficult to distinguish yourself in such a saturated environment. "(insert deity here)" help us all! I had a look at that “Discrevolt” site and I must admit I was impressed with the concept, look and feel of the product and the site…

…But I noticed something else that startled me slightly; I did NOT recognize any of the artists on the left side menu. That is not to say that they are not known by others obviously but my point here is one I have mentioned before:

“Obscurity is the artists biggest nemesis”

Whether you are pushing mp3′s, .WAV’s, CD’s, etc. etc…It is growing increasingly difficult to distinguish yourself in such a saturated environment.

“(insert deity here)” help us all!

]]> By: Darryl http://newmusicstrategies.com/2008/05/12/how-can-you-sell-mp3s-at-gigs/comment-page-1/#comment-2050 Darryl Sat, 17 May 2008 16:04:01 +0000 http://newmusicstrategies.com/2008/05/12/how-can-you-sell-mp3s-at-gigs/#comment-2050 I look at it more as an issue of mp3's vs. wav files, which to me is the incentive for buying cd's. Cd's might not be the "in" thing anymore, but they still beat mp3's by a long shot in quality. I say market both. I grew up in a time where i could pick between cassettes, vinyl AND cd's. Now mp3's are the new kids on the block. But if you're going to hand somebody a physical object in exchange for money, why not have it be a cd? The data will most likely end up being an mp3 anyway, if the person has an ipod. If a person insists on not buying a cd, tell them they can get it on itunes and move on. As a matter of fact, people like that usually ask if they can get it on itunes anyway. I look at it more as an issue of mp3′s vs. wav files, which to me is the incentive for buying cd’s. Cd’s might not be the “in” thing anymore, but they still beat mp3′s by a long shot in quality. I say market both.

I grew up in a time where i could pick between cassettes, vinyl AND cd’s. Now mp3′s are the new kids on the block. But if you’re going to hand somebody a physical object in exchange for money, why not have it be a cd? The data will most likely end up being an mp3 anyway, if the person has an ipod.

If a person insists on not buying a cd, tell them they can get it on itunes and move on. As a matter of fact, people like that usually ask if they can get it on itunes anyway.

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