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I need your input!!
15 years ago
commission info : http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/2768247/
album download : http://huskyindenial.bandcamp.com
Okie dokie…
Finally, I feel that I'm really starting to get this album project underway. I've got ideas out the asshole, but I need your input. REALLY BADLY.
1. I'm looking to release this thing at last in September or October. I'm positively going to release it on BandCamp, probably on InkBunny with no bonus content, and there is the possibility of a hardcopy release. But, only if there's demand. Is there demand for hard copies?
I'd sell the IB copies for $.50 or $.60 per song, the BandCamp copies (with album art and bonus goodies) for about $1 per song (excluding bonus), and the hard copies would probably be about $12 + shipping, give or take. That would pay for the hard copies themselves, the artists I may commission to do album work, any stores I sell them in, and my piggy bank. I can do this only if there is real interest, because it requires an investment.
2. I'm dead set on offering bonus downloads with the purchase of the album. What sort of things would you guys like to see? I need real input from you guys.
Things I'm going to give you:
album art, lyrics, etc. - even if there is no hard copy, I want this to be worth the buy.
bonus music - I've got one or two ideas on how to do this.
Now, I need your input. If any of these sound good, or you can think of anything better, tell me. And, if any of them seem completely uninteresting or not worth trying to shove on you, PLEASE let me know.
Things I've thought about:
acoustic versions - I was thinking about doing some or all of the songs acoustically, or in some sort of quasi-acoustic manner.
instrumental/a cappella versions - I'm hesitant, but I did just buy two albums of instrumentals from Aesop Rock and Wax Tailor. Also good for remixing.
live recordings - videos of me playing live… if that's even possible…
album video - a sort of making-of documentary-type thing. I'm hesitant; maybe too high and mighty, unless people are actually interested.
music video - I don't know how I'd pull it off, though.
tabs - though, this would take a lot of time.
Things I can't give you:
covers - I'm not going through legal hoops to sell other people's work.
background videos - I'm planning on making movies to play behind me when I play live. I thought about adding them, but if they have copyrighted content, then it wouldn't be a good idea.
3. All you artists, what's a fare contract for doing album art?
Let's suppose I get an artist to do one piece (like a cover picture). I was thinking of offering the artist either the one-time going price of that picture, or a percentage of the sales of the album, their pick. Should they pick the sales of the album, what sort of percentage rates are worth it to you?
I'm not certain $1 per hard-copy/BandCamp sale is right, but I can't decide if that's too much or too little. My dilemma comes in the fact that I'd want to have a number of artists contribute, but there's only so much money being made. I have 4 artists in mind, and that's $4 per CD on just art alone, minus design, packaging, what-have-you.
At the same time, $1 from a $10 CD is 10% of the sales. This implies that they did 10% of work on the entire album production. Is that fair? But $1 on a $12 CD is a little more than 8%. How about that?
Bottom line… I don't want to stiff anyone. Is 10% fair for art on an album? If not, what is?
I've got a lot of time to think about this stuff, but I really wanna get the ball rolling now and give the CD a proper launch. I want to be ready a week ahead at least.
Thanks for your help! If you know anyone else that might be of help, send them my way!
<3
Buck
Finally, I feel that I'm really starting to get this album project underway. I've got ideas out the asshole, but I need your input. REALLY BADLY.
1. I'm looking to release this thing at last in September or October. I'm positively going to release it on BandCamp, probably on InkBunny with no bonus content, and there is the possibility of a hardcopy release. But, only if there's demand. Is there demand for hard copies?
I'd sell the IB copies for $.50 or $.60 per song, the BandCamp copies (with album art and bonus goodies) for about $1 per song (excluding bonus), and the hard copies would probably be about $12 + shipping, give or take. That would pay for the hard copies themselves, the artists I may commission to do album work, any stores I sell them in, and my piggy bank. I can do this only if there is real interest, because it requires an investment.
2. I'm dead set on offering bonus downloads with the purchase of the album. What sort of things would you guys like to see? I need real input from you guys.
Things I'm going to give you:
album art, lyrics, etc. - even if there is no hard copy, I want this to be worth the buy.
bonus music - I've got one or two ideas on how to do this.
Now, I need your input. If any of these sound good, or you can think of anything better, tell me. And, if any of them seem completely uninteresting or not worth trying to shove on you, PLEASE let me know.
Things I've thought about:
acoustic versions - I was thinking about doing some or all of the songs acoustically, or in some sort of quasi-acoustic manner.
instrumental/a cappella versions - I'm hesitant, but I did just buy two albums of instrumentals from Aesop Rock and Wax Tailor. Also good for remixing.
live recordings - videos of me playing live… if that's even possible…
album video - a sort of making-of documentary-type thing. I'm hesitant; maybe too high and mighty, unless people are actually interested.
music video - I don't know how I'd pull it off, though.
tabs - though, this would take a lot of time.
Things I can't give you:
covers - I'm not going through legal hoops to sell other people's work.
background videos - I'm planning on making movies to play behind me when I play live. I thought about adding them, but if they have copyrighted content, then it wouldn't be a good idea.
3. All you artists, what's a fare contract for doing album art?
Let's suppose I get an artist to do one piece (like a cover picture). I was thinking of offering the artist either the one-time going price of that picture, or a percentage of the sales of the album, their pick. Should they pick the sales of the album, what sort of percentage rates are worth it to you?
I'm not certain $1 per hard-copy/BandCamp sale is right, but I can't decide if that's too much or too little. My dilemma comes in the fact that I'd want to have a number of artists contribute, but there's only so much money being made. I have 4 artists in mind, and that's $4 per CD on just art alone, minus design, packaging, what-have-you.
At the same time, $1 from a $10 CD is 10% of the sales. This implies that they did 10% of work on the entire album production. Is that fair? But $1 on a $12 CD is a little more than 8%. How about that?
Bottom line… I don't want to stiff anyone. Is 10% fair for art on an album? If not, what is?
I've got a lot of time to think about this stuff, but I really wanna get the ball rolling now and give the CD a proper launch. I want to be ready a week ahead at least.
Thanks for your help! If you know anyone else that might be of help, send them my way!
<3
Buck
the only thing I can't make acoustic is the bass, because I don't have an acoustic bass. theoretically, I could record a piano, but acoustic pianos are more tricky than people realize. they can be so... middy. a good piano, though, would be stellar :3
what sort of things would be in the kind of documentary you'd wanna see? :3 I was thinking maybe short live clips, some in-progress clips, some short interview type things, and some goofing off, too. but I'm not totally sure :3
If I did raw stems, it would be only one or two tracks, like singles. but if people want to listen to instrumentals or put the vocals over their own remixes, that would be cool, too. need to get me a CC license :3
<3
and if you do ever get hard copies id be glad to buy one
1. I definitely demand a hard copy if you produce one. I am sale #1 !
2. Acoustic versions and documentaries on "how you made the music" would be awesome, BUT you could just do a documentary audio recording, it doesn't have to take up more than a couple tracks time....kinda like... hidden track? I would say no to tabs, unless you offered it separately...honestly it would probably not be worth the effort and time.. I know how much work it would take. The music video would be funny but so true about how to pull it off.
3. AND even though he isn't a drawing/painting kind of artist, I bet Kitten would want to do maybe an awesome picture of you with your equipment. He does pretty amazing black/white photographs if you wanted to give an earthy feel to a human side. He might just use your picture towards his photography portfolio instead of charging you. I'd ask him. Certainly worth a shot.
4. CAN'T WAIT, let me know if I can help!
when you say "how you made the music," what sort of things would you expect? :3
yes, ask Kitten if he's interested :3
okie dokie :D I can always use groupies, etc. :P
I'll ask him.
Groupie??????....... :D
thanks.
you know, fans, people who will tell other people about the music :3
As for the album costs. I think you've got a good idea for the album cost. A dollar per song sounds about right.
For anything else, I need to come and hear it at your house. I'm really not sure what all you have on the album. Just a few that I remember you saying WERE going to be on the album and some that you said MIGHT be on the album.
I don't have all the music done. You've probably heard all I have already :3
But I just wanted to say, 10% is generous imo. Art is pretty but you more than likely bought the album for its innards, not the wrapping. I think most artists sell their art for a printing, and when/if it goes into a second printing, they get a percentage again.
P.S. September would be an awesome time if you wanted to market at MFM. Note me sometime, I have a few more goodies. c:
The bonus stuff would be bundled with an album download on BandCamp. I was thinking of using the download link for the hard copies; an extra DVD would be far too expensive.
Thanks :D That's something I definitely needed to know. ^___^
A few more goodies?