Newbury Comics in the Northeast U.S. is testing out custom mix-CD technology, similar to what the folks at Starbucks are rolling out. I’ve been saying for some time (to paraphrase Dan Poynter) that record stores are pretty lousy places to…
Category
Selling CDs
Another great example…
The Churchills are doing better with a self-produced album that cost $10,000 to record than the one they made for a major label that put them $270,000 in the hole.
Learn to sell more CDs at shows and online.
Members get to join me tomorrow (Tues., 8/9) at 9pm ET for a special conference call class where I’ll share some of our most effective tips and techniques for selling more albums at your gigs. We’ll also talk about using…
Tracking the long tail
Matt writes about big media’s constant focus on “big opening weeks.” Books, films, and especially albums get judged and/or dismissed based on a big splash. Bands get dropped from labels if they can’t muster a gold record in their first…
The difference between “gross” and “net.” For real, this time.
Turns out, one of the biggest search phrases that land folks on this site is “what is the difference between gross and net,” which I answered flippantly before. For the benefit of newbies, here’s a quick primer in record label…
Starbucks Music Stats
I’ve had more than a few conversation this week with clients about how selling compact discs in a coffee shop, a diner, a paint store, or even a day care center is more profitable than trying to get sales at…
How to Boost CD & Merch Sales
Bob Baker runs down some of the most effective ways to pump up a flagging merch table.
The Creepy Side of Indie Music Venture Capital
David’s getting bizarre e-mail. Thing is, he and I (and other folks who pop our heads out on the independent music prairie) get stuff like this all the time from folks that think they can’t do any of this on…
Fun with barcodes
A new 80’s Hits compilation in the UK has a huge bar code on the front cover. Three problems: 1. Confused cashiers are scanning this big bar code, instead of the real bar code on the back. 2. When scanning…
A New Day for Indie Music?
While I was on the road, Bob Baker posted some great discussion around the idea that new technology won’t change the way that most people find out about music… but you don’t need to be worried about “most” people, right?…
We’re gonna make you a star.
Alexis Petridis writes a superb column for the Guardian about the steps that musicians have to take before releasing a major label record. It’s not just about the music, it’s about branding, and fashion, and all of the other subconscious…
Catching Up with Tracy Bonham
Steve Safran, who normally covers the news business for Lost Remote, has a fun extracurricular Q&A with Tracy Bonham about returning to indie labels after leaving Island Records, and all the inherent changes in marketing, touring, and getting paid.