Tech: Selling your music on Amazon - anyone?

Subject: Tech: Selling your music on Amazon - anyone?
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Nov 11 - 11:13 AM

I am looking at several places for my brother to sell individual mp3s of his classical music, one of which is Amazon. I'd be interested to hear from any who may have listed their CDs etc. there. I had a quick look which brought me to their "Music Uploader" which looked complicated. It's not the only place we are looking at, by any means, but I would appreciate any tales of experience, suggestions, etc.

Thanks!

kat

Subject: RE: Tech: Selling your music on Amazon - anyone?
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 16 Nov 11 - 11:46 AM

I have put music up on Amazon via their CreateSpace self-publishing option and it blends seamlessly with music that I have up via CDBaby.com. My reason was that I had one CD with mechanical licenses on all songs but not the download licenses for the covers, whereas our other two CDs had all the licenses. So for the one missing download licenses, I created an MP3 album of just my own originals and put that up on Amazon myself.

CDBaby will do it all for you if you have the licenses (if needed) and is very easy to use, distributing your mp3 tracks to many outlets (Amazon, iTunes, many others) all in one process. But if you want to do it yourself, Amazon's Create space works well and it's free and fairly easy.

All 3 ShoreGrass CDs on Amazon

Subject: RE: Tech: Selling your music on Amazon - anyone?
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 16 Nov 11 - 11:55 AM

OK, I said "all 3 ShoreGrass CDs on Amazon" and there are 4 titles out there. The most recent one is "Battle of Ossippee," not an album but a single that I put up via CDBaby.com, which you might recognize as the song I gave to the new Mudcat CD "Water." The one I put up myself via createspace is "In Connecticut."

Subject: RE: Tech: Selling your music on Amazon - anyone?
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Nov 11 - 12:19 PM

Barbara, thanks! I knew we needed to get going with CDBaby, but didn't know they did the distribution, too. That's great!

I'd just as soon not go through CreateSpace, though, maybe it is easier to use for music files rather than a book. I've been working on the latter and have not found it easy, in fact anudder Mudder has helped me a lot with it!:-)

I have heard your song and REALLY like it! Will go check out the other CDs a bit later, today.

Thanks, again, so much,

kat

Subject: RE: Tech: Selling your music on Amazon - anyone?
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Nov 11 - 12:46 PM

One more question, if no one minds:

If you sell CDs, too, do you produce and package them in-house? I have done in the past, for my bro's music and have also used Mixonic. Since CDbaby is known for "indie" music, I am wondering which would be better: go through Mixonic, again, or get a litewriter(?) and inscribe them ourselves after writing them to blanks?

Sorry if some of this seems old hat.

tks,

kat

Subject: RE: Tech: Selling your music on Amazon - anyone?
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 16 Nov 11 - 01:47 PM

I tried another duplication company which should remain nameless and went back to Mixonic, which is consistently good. CDBaby also does duplication, but I believe it is the same company as nameless, not sure (owned by the same company). I originally started out doing all the duplication and graphics at home on my computer for our 1st CD, and finally sent it all to Mixonic for the 2nd run and from then on. It's so much easier, looks so much more professional, the quality is consistent, and there's FAR less wear and tear on my computer.

However, if you are doing only mp3, no need to go through a commercial outfit for duplication. You can upload an album as digital-only, and also upload graphics.

Subject: RE: Tech: Selling your music on Amazon - anyone?
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Nov 11 - 02:30 PM

Thanks so much, Barbara, that is exactly what I needed to know. I'd have to start from scratch with Mixonic as it was so long ago, but I am still impressed with their set-up, packages, costs, etc. I do think we may go with digital-only, at first, then maybe follow that with a CD.

Asked and answered at Mudcat Speedy Service, near you!**bg**

kat

Subject: RE: Tech: Selling your music on Amazon - anyone?
From: KathyW
Date: 16 Nov 11 - 08:09 PM

If memory serves, CD Baby will sell home-duplicated CD's on their site, but if you want them to distribute physical CDs for you through other sellers then they must be commercially duplicated and shrink-wrapped.

I've a friend who uses Kunaki for duplication. They are very cheap for short runs. You have to be careful how you set the cover art up though, some things don't come out well.

Subject: RE: Tech: Selling your music on Amazon - anyone?
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 12 Jan 12 - 12:45 AM

Barbara Shaw, I am both curious, and interested in your input from CDBaby vs. marketing your own....talk to me!!

GfS

Subject: RE: Tech: Selling your music on Amazon - anyone?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 12 Jan 12 - 12:55 AM

Strangely enough someone asked me today why his kids couldn't download my songs from Spotify. I had absolutely no idea what he was talking about. i phoned up PRS, but they didn't know anything about it.

I'll maybe try the MU see if they've got a clue.

Subject: RE: Tech: Selling your music on Amazon - anyone?
From: Spleen Cringe
Date: 12 Jan 12 - 03:06 AM

Al - you need to get 'em on Spotify first. Usually via a digital distributor of some sort.

Subject: RE: Tech: Selling your music on Amazon - anyone?
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 12 Jan 12 - 05:32 AM

Thank you!..ANY and all input is eagerly awaiting!

Regards!

GfS

Subject: RE: Tech: Selling your music on Amazon - anyone?
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 12 Jan 12 - 10:47 AM

GfS, I definitely recommend CDBaby as an easy marketing tool. You get much broader distribution by giving them the release for one fee. I explained above why I tried createspace for a limited digital release of original songs from "In CT" (the full CD is on CDBaby) and for a recent Christmas single "Every Day Is Christmas," and that put it out on Amazon for me, but the other songs via CDBaby went to dozens of digital outlets including Amazon.

The other thing I did recently was switch to hostbaby.com for my www.shoregrass.com website hosting. This is a bit more expensive than some host sites, but one benefit is that it gives 5 free CDBaby submissions per year. So I was able to release the digital single "Battle of Ossippee" on CDBaby at no cost, using a hostbaby free coupon, and this single went to all the digital outlets, whereas the one I did myself on createspace went only to Amazon.

The actual promotion is still something you have to do yourself. CDBaby and createspace put it out there, but you have to find a way to let people know about it. Good luck!

Subject: RE: Tech: Selling your music on Amazon - anyone?
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 12 Jan 12 - 02:41 PM

Thank you, Barbara!...I was under the impression that CDBaby and/or the other distributors did some of the promotions. Any suggestions? I got several 'solicitations' in my inbox, from YouTube, from companies(?), that claim to offer exposure....any comments?..or advice?

ALSO, the piece is longer than most 'songs'..like about a half hour..is there different rates?...being as its nearly an album's time worth of material. I also have two other pieces, on Youtube, next to this one. You might want to listen. I'm told it is wonderful to listen to, while working on the computer,(and other things), in the background. (Actually, certain people who have a disk in their car, say they just listen to it over and over).
Please, let me know anything you can think of.


Here's the piece....

Thank you for your reply!!!!!..and Best Luck with yours..which, I'm going to take a listen to!

Warmest Regards!!

Guest from Sanity

Subject: RE: Tech: Selling your music on Amazon - anyone?
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 12 Jan 12 - 03:05 PM

Oh!..and one more thing, Barbara(or anyone)...I've heard conflicting reports as to retaining your 'Rights' with CDBaby. Any feedback on that, as well?

GfS

Subject: RE: Tech: Selling your music on Amazon - anyone?
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 13 Jan 12 - 01:17 PM

I believe you retain all rights with CDBaby. Have a look at their CDBaby Artist Services website where they explain everything in detail. They don't promote, but they do send out frequent mailings to their members with suggestions for promotion, free literature downloads, links to articles, etc.

Your piece is quite beautiful. Not sure how you would submit it to either CDBaby or createspace other than via a physical CD because of length. I know of no restrictions regarding length but then I was only dealing with 3-4 minute songs. Good luck to you!

Subject: RE: Tech: Selling your music on Amazon - anyone?
From: Spleen Cringe
Date: 13 Jan 12 - 02:53 PM

Thread drift!

GfS, that's lovely. Where can I hear more of your music?

Subject: RE: Tech: Selling your music on Amazon - anyone?
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 13 Jan 12 - 09:53 PM

Cringed: "GfS, that's lovely. Where can I hear more of your music?"

Actually I got a LOT more...some with female vocalists, some instrumental, some with male vocals. I'm going to be posting it on YouTube, then, as you can see from me, talking to Barbara Shaw, that you can download them, either from iTunes, or Amazon, or whomever..but AS SOON as I get some more info, they will be available....and because of your 'appreciation' for it, I will let you know, as soon as they are ready! I've got some CD's, but I just put them together, and turn people on to them..sometimes for a few bucks..sometimes I just give them to them.
Man, I'm really glad you liked them!..Which one stuck out to you? (different people like different ones more than others...and I really appreciate the feedback). However, I was getting ready to upload a couple more. Preferences? (Wait till you hear the ones with the female vocalist..I haven't put ANY of them up yet).

Let me know, OK?...and Thanks Again!

Warmest Regards!

GfS

Subject: RE: Tech: Selling your music on Amazon - anyone?
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 13 Jan 12 - 10:00 PM

Barbara, please accept my apologies!!!..I posted, before I read your answer. Thank you, so very much!! You have been quite helpful....and I'm glad(really glad) you (and Spleen Cringe) like the piece(or pieces)!
I will keep you posted...and/or be bugging you for more info..but you gave me a place to start getting enough input, so I can ask the 'right' questions!

Thank You Once Again!!

GfS

Subject: RE: Tech: Selling your music on Amazon - anyone?
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 13 Jan 12 - 10:49 PM

GfS, one thing you should know, people can record and download directly from youtube, so if you intend to sell any of your music (e.g. via CDBaby, Amazon, iTunes, wherever), you should not upload the full finished music to youtube. Youtube does however offer the opportunity to place ads before your video, giving you a small commission for anyone who clicks on the ad. If you have enough traffic I suppose it can be worthwhile monetarily, although I have not done this.

Subject: RE: Tech: Selling your music on Amazon - anyone?
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 14 Jan 12 - 02:20 AM

AGAIN, Thank you!
All of it is copyrighted..but is there a thingy YouTube has that could prevent that?
Also, the one performance (on YouTube) of 'Bittersuite:Joy' is a live performance...the studio one, which is more of a complete one, is stunning...it stops you in the moment...Since I posted to you last, I check my YouTube page and it blew me away... I was honored, humbled, and flattered, that when people click on 'Bittersuite: Joy', that the adjoining videos, across the page are of my Dearest musical friend Mairead Nesbitt..and 'Celtic Woman'! That was a 'WOW!' for me!!
I was wondering...I suppose I should put come 'contact information' somewhere up on the videos.....

Man, Thank you Barbara....sincerely........(but I might still holler at you for more input......if you don't mind).

Regards!!

GfS

Subject: RE: Tech: Selling your music on Amazon - anyone?
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 20 Jan 12 - 03:34 AM

Hey, as per requested I uploaded another one.....here it is.

Enjoy!

regards,

GfS