Do any of you sell your CDs at gigs or other places? We are about to try to recoed one and were wondering if anyone has had financial success doing this or is it a waste of time and money.

I can tell you from experience, don't expect to sell out of product each gig, but one thing that will help sell is to mention the product specifically from the platform. If you can highlight one or two songs from the CD, maybe some songs you don't do in your set, or maybe talk about one of the better songs from the CD that is in your set.

You can always find out how the audience reponds on a certain song, then if they repond positivelym on the song, mention that it is on your CD for sale and maybe give some background that could relate to your audience. I've seen us sell one or two of a product, then go to the next conference and mention the same product, talk it up from the platform, then sell out of that product before the end of the conference. It's just marketing strategy.

hope this helps.


Jeff

Have your audiences asked for CD's?
(Either at one gig or several)

Personally we've been asked many, many times now, and that has given us the idea to do it.

Is that where you got your idea from - if you know what I mean....?

The main thing, to remain compliant with the law, is to get permission to use the tunes. It is a fairly simple task, and is pretty much a formality with most tunes (it's not like synchronization rights or film use), and most reputable replicators won't even work on your disk without them having been obtained (liability issues for them, too, I suppose).

But if your audience is into you and your act, even selling only two or three a night can bring in a little extra money, and every little helps..! Mostly, it depends on how much you can put into recording, artwork (they sell better when they look professional) and volume of printing. Obviously, a thousand copies are going to cost you less per unit than a hundred. Don't small-time yourself too much, or you might start to think it isn't worth it.

But my duo's CDs, and other merchandise we sell (T-shirts, etc.) can bring in several thousand extra a year. We just keep it in a separate account, and just split it up at the close of the season. It makes for a VERY nice little 'bonus' at the end of the year...

If you look at the long picture, the initial investment is trivial. Just make sure it is very well recorded and mastered, and a selection of tunes that your audience (NOT you!) like best, and you will be able to hawk it from the bandstand with honesty, the best way to have success selling something...!

We get asked all the time for CDs that is why we are thinking of doing it.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Diki:
[B]The main thing, to remain compliant with the law, is to get permission to use the tunes. It is a fairly simple task, and is pretty much a formality with most tunes (it's not like synchronization rights or film use), and most reputable replicators won't even work on your disk without them having been obtained (liability issues for them, too, I suppose).

Do you write any of your songs and if you do how do you split the proceeds?

Actually, we have a CD of the duo doing the covers that people liked, and then we have a CD of originals that my guitarist wrote (a studio album).

We split the cover CD 50/50, but my guitarist paid me (and many other session musicians) for the work when the original music CD was made (I also mixed and mastered it), so the proceeds of that one are entirely his, and well deserved!

The main thing about including originals is, if you are trying to make CDs for profit, rather than just to get your original stuff out, only do it if they are at LEAST as popular with your audience than the covers. To maximize sales, you want to put the most popular material on the CD you can, and be honest with yourself... if you get few requests for your originals (even if they don't clear the floor!), you get better sales sticking to the popular covers.

You can always do an original music CD as a labor of love, but it is probably better to have a separate CD rather than just do one or two in with the covers.. (unless your audience demands it!).

Good!

Sorry I wasn't implying that you would NEVER get asked, I just was trying to say if there was a DEFINITE demand for your recorded work from your audiences, then go for it!!