Originally Posted by Jody Whitesides
The fact that I work hard and care about "dying" methods of income does not change the fact that these businesses are building companies on flawed fundamentals.

DRS, I'm guessing you aren't well versed in business. Album and CD sales were major money makers. Live was icing on the cake. The ideology that the music is now the icing on the cake is outright moronic.

Good luck on drawing fans based off of Spotify. You're a fan of free. If you're Spotify fans are fans of free, you'll be free too. Free doesn't pay bills. In any way shape or form. In case you missed it, Spotify does absolutely nothing to make it easier to help you get a fan. No links to anything outside of Spotify and unless they really love you - they won't search for you either. The sales funnel of getting them hooked to you is missing in that equation.

It takes promotion and lots of it for music to get heard by enough masses to get somewhere. Promotion isn't free any way you slice. Recording isn't free. Distribution isn't free. Your instruments aren't free. Your travel to get to shows isn't free. Not all shows pay enough to cover your costs either. Got a band? Chances are, they aren't free either. Free as a business model is fundamentally flawed.


I think your dilemna is you are trying to concoct a solid business out of music. It's not. It's a business where most people fail.

The thing about music is more music can be made.

Ever hear of the business concept "back end marketing" its something marketers have been using forever.

You ever see a sports illustrated commercial where they give away three or four different things, just to get somebody to sign up for a 19 0r 20 dollar magaine subscription?

The math doesnt add up, the free gifts cost way more than the magazine.

The reason cause once the subscription runs out, they sign up again, you have a customer for life.

If you give away your first album, you just might get them to buy the next one.

That is NOT a bad business move. Its a commonly successful one

Music is not the gas business, people dont need you, being a musician is like being a burger salesman with a burger king, and mcdonalds on both corners near you, and a fast food place on ever street.

People invest in the artist, they dont necesarily invest on the music.

But you make it sound like selling your album is a sound business idea....it's not even close.



Last edited by December Rock Star; 11/12/12 09:10 PM.