Re: loopmarketing

["future perfect" <artmusic@gte.net>]

 I agree with David K.
I have 'released' 2 CDs on my own, and it can be incredibly expensive just
to get the thing out there, much less getting this label thing together. I
had to ask myself 'What if I don't need a label, and what is it going to do
for me if I have one of my own?'
There is nothing wrong with releasing a CD on your own, and selling a few
here and there at shows that you play. Playing live has been the best way 
of
selling my CDs. It is difficult for me to justify selling idependently
(locally) released CDs in local stores, they usually collect dust in the
'Local' section, and the store gets half the $ anyway. If you want to start
a business, start a small publishing business, 'publishing' your own music.
This entitles you to benefits like gear insurance from organizations like
ASCAP and BMI.
There are labels out there looking for new, interesting music, but I can't
believe that they have all that much $ to dump into non-mainstream acts.
Many of the artists signed to them still work day jobs, and as a result,
they see even less $ from the sale of a CD. The only advantage I can see is
that you can impress your friends with 'Oh yeah, I'm signed..'. The more
musicians market their own music through the Internet and live gigs, the
more music gets out there.
Dave Eichenberger
*********************************************************************
'Future Perfect' - art music - visit our website at:
http://home1.gte.net/artmusic/



>Loop Marketers !
>
>I don't have too much to add to Andre's advice, aside from suggesting:
>
> 1) That you will want to establish your goals, priorities and
>budget;
> 2) If you're serious about starting a label, you'll need to allocate
>real money for increased phone bills, photocopies, postage..etc.;
> 3) To break throught the crowd, you may have to employ PR and Radio
>promotion help / services;
>
>From my experience, self-releasing a record can very easily add up in
>promotion costs alone to $5,000 over four or five months.  And it takes
>grueling amounts of dedicated time with people who have their own agends
and
>who are inundated with solicitations.
>
>The abundance of product is staggering.
>
>Fact: in 1997, twice as many records were released as in 1996.
>Fact: in 1996, twice as many records were released as in 1995.
>Fact: in 1996 alone, 100,000 retail locations closed across the country.
>
>The good news (if you can call this good news....) is the six major labels
>are beginning to merge into four.  This typically means 1) rosters are
>"cleared" of lower producing acts, 2) people get layed-off, and 3) -- the
>good news -- labels start hunting for new acts to lend money  (that's what
>your advance actually is, whatever they may call it.).
>
>It's almost impossible to imagine how, but despite all this, new and
>interesting music gets into the world.
>
>And it could be yours!
>
>david k
>UNDO
>