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Regarding future album- please read & reply
14 years ago
I need some input...
I've finally taken care of a lot of things that needed done in prep for the album I've been wanting to get done. As such, I can finally get to work on it, and hopefully have it ready within a couple of months or so. However, I'm debating a few changes in regards to how it's distributed in the end. My main expense in the first album (here: http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/659378/) was the actual physical production cost. I bought all the ink, paper, CDs, CD cases, even a special stapler so I could properly staple the CD booklets. And I sold about 10 copies. I barely broke even. Now, to those 10 (technically 9) people, I'm sincerely grateful. And this is in no way a complaining post. But with all that in mind, we come to my main point:
Because of this, I've decided that I'm really going to look into making this next album available online. iTunes, Amazon, Google Music, etc. I've found a website that will handle all of that for me, as well as distribution of physical copies of the CD and such, for those that want it. Though with the past in mind, I don't think the actual physical album will be much more than a CD, a case, and maybe just a simple front/back booklet for cosmetic purposes. Either way, the cost would be roughly the same- if you download each individual song online, it would be just shy of $12. If you buy the physical album, it will probably be $12. This is due to my having to balance the fees involved with listing, shipping, etc.
So I need YOUR OPINIONS regarding all of this. If there are a greater number of you that would prefer the ease/simplicity of just downloading the music online, then fantastic. Let me know. If more of you prefer ye olde fashioned method of me making and shipping each individual order myself, that's fine, too. I just need to know if I should bother paying to put my stuff online, or if it would be an even bigger waste than just sticking with physical albums only.
As a small side note, there is also a possibility that I could even have the album stamped to vinyl, which would be pretty sweet (to me, at least). If there was enough interest, I'd look into marketing that as well, though I'd have to sell at least 8 or so to probably break even on that venture, alone.
I've finally taken care of a lot of things that needed done in prep for the album I've been wanting to get done. As such, I can finally get to work on it, and hopefully have it ready within a couple of months or so. However, I'm debating a few changes in regards to how it's distributed in the end. My main expense in the first album (here: http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/659378/) was the actual physical production cost. I bought all the ink, paper, CDs, CD cases, even a special stapler so I could properly staple the CD booklets. And I sold about 10 copies. I barely broke even. Now, to those 10 (technically 9) people, I'm sincerely grateful. And this is in no way a complaining post. But with all that in mind, we come to my main point:
Because of this, I've decided that I'm really going to look into making this next album available online. iTunes, Amazon, Google Music, etc. I've found a website that will handle all of that for me, as well as distribution of physical copies of the CD and such, for those that want it. Though with the past in mind, I don't think the actual physical album will be much more than a CD, a case, and maybe just a simple front/back booklet for cosmetic purposes. Either way, the cost would be roughly the same- if you download each individual song online, it would be just shy of $12. If you buy the physical album, it will probably be $12. This is due to my having to balance the fees involved with listing, shipping, etc.
So I need YOUR OPINIONS regarding all of this. If there are a greater number of you that would prefer the ease/simplicity of just downloading the music online, then fantastic. Let me know. If more of you prefer ye olde fashioned method of me making and shipping each individual order myself, that's fine, too. I just need to know if I should bother paying to put my stuff online, or if it would be an even bigger waste than just sticking with physical albums only.
As a small side note, there is also a possibility that I could even have the album stamped to vinyl, which would be pretty sweet (to me, at least). If there was enough interest, I'd look into marketing that as well, though I'd have to sell at least 8 or so to probably break even on that venture, alone.
KateWalker
Do both? I dunno how Colson does it exactly, but he's always had options to get his albums physical, though I think he distributes more electronically. Personally, I like having something like Bandcamp, where I can give it a listen, and then order a physical CD if it strikes my fancy. Otherwise, I have to do it myself after buying and downloading and that's annoying. :/ But then, I am somewhat old-fashioned.
Callee_McBorder
OP
Well, I'm hardly ruthless... I'll be putting samples of the music on here for people to listen to, so you're not just blindly ordering stuff. ^^ Believe me, I hate that idea, myself. *Flicks an ear*
KateWalker
Rest assured, if I have something to say about it, I'll be writing a review somewhere. :3
Shaspio
~shaspio
Well for me, you know with my current situation, I can't listen to music online (for those that don't know, i'm stuck with just a VERY old phone right now) but of course you wouldn't have to go all out by sending professionally printed CDs. I'd just be happy with a disc in a plastic slip. I'm sure other fans of yours would also be happy (others who don't have playback capablity, or simply prefer a physical medium) to have just that as well
Callee_McBorder
OP
I just feel bad to charge money for a plain CD-R in a flimsy slip... even if I charged half as much for it. *Shrugs* Especially after I go through the trouble of designing/printing album artwork for the booklet/CD, etc.
Shaspio
~shaspio
Hey look, if you've got financial issues with the printing and such, i'm sure everyone will understand. As you said, the expense will outweigh the profit. Is it worth it?
Doxial
~doxial
I personally love cd's, but if it's better for you to have it as a digital album then that's cool too. Now if I had a way to play vinyls I would be all over getting your stuff on vinyl, but I don't at the moment. It might be better to have your music on iTunes and amazon, you may gain a larger audience that way.
Callee_McBorder
OP
Gaining a larger audience is unlikely, since most people don't just randomly browse about iTunes downloading stuff from artists they've never heard of. Mostly I'm just looking into selling stuff online because I was unsure as to whether or not people avoided buying it because it wasn't available in that way before. So odds are I'll probably offer both physical CDs and the downloadable stuff... I'm mostly just feeling around to see if there's any interest in the online sales idea before I invest into it. ^^
Shaspio
~shaspio
Hey, it would definitely save you a bundle on CDs, printing and stuff, and all of us could help to advertise, you know, spread the word.
Callee_McBorder
OP
I'd indirectly be relying on that, regardless. Word-of-mouth would be basically my only form of advertisement, since I'm not going to pay to plaster adds all over Fah or something. *Snickerwoofs* I rely on friends to widen the market beyond what miniscule realm I can reach alone. ^^
wildbilltx
∞wildbilltx
Have you tried http://kunaki.com/ ? That's what Matthew Ebel and Bucktown Tiger use to make their CD's.
Callee_McBorder
OP
I had not looked at it yet, but I'll certainly do so and consider it, thank you! ^^
Stubbie
~stubbie
id buy on itunes just to save the costs for you and the issues of mail. but yes id buy it =D
