downloads with a donation button was Why SHOULDN'T musicians bepaid?

[phaslem@wightman.ca]

As a bit of an experiment I did that back at Christmas time and then  
sent out emails to everyone on my email list that they could download  
the cd's in 128 bit format for free but there is a donation button  
encouraging people to help support the website and future recordings.
Since Christmas I have had over 2,000 downloads, (this originating  
from about 150 emails) and to date I have recieved $5.00 in donations  
and physical cd sales of $50.00 from people that downloaded and  
decided they wanted a cd.

I'm tempted to think that says that people don't like the music much,  
but then why do they keep downloading full recordings? Anyway if  
nothing else it's helped make more people aware of my recordings and  
perhaps they'll be interested in buying the new one.... or maybe 4 1/2  
hours of hammered dulcimer is more than enough for anyone's collection  
of music.

I guess I'll see over the next few months. Oh and if you haven't  
gotten your dose of hammered dulcimer music yet, better get it soon  
cause I'm going to be taking it all down in the next week or so and  
going back to one or two samples from each cd.


Paul Haslem
Ontario, Canada
www.dulcify.ca


Quoting Matt Stevens <mattstevensguitar@btinternet.com>:

>
> Why not put a donate button on your website so people have the
> opportunity to be paid??
>
> I'm giving my EP away free on my site today but there is also a   
> donate button.
>
> www.mattstevensguitar.com
>
> Matt