$.99 songs...

Kenny Burford · From: Independence, Missouri USA

I have seen a lot of songs being advertised on different bands websites for $.99 a song, which I think is a great deal. With that being the case does anyone here on the Form believe it is possible for a band to promote a song through the current media sources to sell a substancial number of recording? Lets say 100,000 copies and if you do I want to know how you think they could do it?

Tom Olson · From: Spokane, WA

I believe that it is possible. However, I'm not sure if there's any one thing you can do to make it happen. I think the deciding factor is whether the song appeals to a great number of people. If it does, you'll sell a bunch of downloads. If it doesn't, you won't.

You can't really know whether a song will have wide spread appeal until you try it.

erik · Posted 26 Dec 2006 4:09 pm

Back in the 90s THE web site for band promotion was MP3.com There were many independents that made thousands from the site until it was bought out by a label. Now that there are so many sites it's hard to get an audience. I think the best way for a band to make money is sell their cds at shows.

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-johnson

David Doggett · Posted 26 Dec 2006 7:32 pm

The problem is not distribution. The paid download for singles solves that. The problem is promotion. How is the average listener supposed to find out about what is out there. Say what you want about the old label system, but the labels acted as filters for the consumer. There were people who spent all day every day listening to demos and searching for good music. The consumer doesn't have time to do that. The labels did the best they could in the various genres. They put what they thought was the best out there, and some of it stuck and some didn't. Yes there were some label created groups like the Monkeys that were promoted more than they were worth. But the public also discovered the good stuff, and those artists made enough money to flourish. Now the labels have such a hard time getting money out of even the good groups, that they can't afford to search out and promote the unknowns the way they used to. I'm not advocating going back to that - there were huge problems with the system. But today there is a disconnect between the consumers and the unknown new groups, because it has become so difficult for the middle man to be the middle man.

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

I think what Dave states is the real deal..but there is a way around it, it's called self promotion.

There's no way we are gonna produce/record a tune, offer it for .99 cents and sell 100,000 without going out and performing and self promoting it.

Can it be done ? yes, but not by sitting at home in front of the PC waiting for emails from PAYPAL.

To sell those hundred thousand MP3's it will probably take 8 months( probably more ) of constant touring. The reward would be selling MORE than 100,000, because if it is a good song and the band is good, that is what will happen.

There are several artists who have made it to the top from self promotion, Prince is one of them.

There is no free lunch, but there is a less expensive way to cut a single and a very inexpensive way to make it available to those who may want a copy.

The Internet and all of it's resources can be an amazing tool if used appropriatley.

But, as a new unheard of act ya still gotta play the song in front of people to get some recognition.That has not changed.

If the band is working regularly, it would be a wise thing to have a single or two available for an .89 or .99 cent download from the band website. Each time you play you hype it and market the songs. If the song is good, and the band is good, folks will BUY it. And thats a good start.

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