Distributing/promoting independent CDs?

19 May 03 - 04:09 AM (#955252)
Subject: Distributing/promoting independent CDs?
From: Mark Cohen

I have some friends on the Big Island who have a band that plays mostly klezmer and gypsy music, and they do it very well. They've been playing weddings and other local gatherings for years. They've just put together two CDs, and are not sure how best to market/promote/distribute them. Touring is a little tough, as you might imagine, since they are in Hawaii and several of them have full-time jobs. Any suggestions?

Aloha,
Mark

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19 May 03 - 04:16 AM (#955253)
Subject: RE: Distributing/promoting independent CDs?
From: GUEST,noddy

Have they tried getting airplay on local/regional radio. And distribute through small independant retail outlets, specialist music shops tourist info areas if appropriate on a sale or return basis. Then using the success you get go wider a-field.
A lot of leg work required.

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19 May 03 - 05:34 AM (#955274)
Subject: RE: Distributing/promoting independent CDs?
From: Mark Cohen

That's a good thought, but there's not much in the way of local radio ere, outside of Hawaiian music and rock. The public radio station tends to do mostly national feeds, except, again, for a couple of Hawaiian music shows--and these folks are not Hawaiian music. They were wondering if places like amazon and CDnow handle independent products, or do they deal strictly with national or worldwide distributors?

Actually, though, you gave me a good idea...they can send CDs to radio stations that play klezmer/Jewish music around the country and perhaps overseas.

Other suggestions would be welcome, including hard experience!

Aloha,
Mark

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19 May 03 - 03:06 PM (#955617)
Subject: RE: Distributing/promoting independent CDs?
From: Seamus Kennedy

Mark, I highly recommend cdbaby (www.cdbaby.com) They carry my stuff, and Jed's and a few other folks I know.
Theye give us all sorts of marketing tools and we just have to mention the site when we perform.
They pay promptly, and give us the addresses of purchasers so we can add them to our mailing-lists.
Check them out.

Seamus

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19 May 03 - 07:32 PM (#955793)
Subject: RE: Distributing/promoting independent CDs?
From: SeanM

The internet is definitely a way to get out there. CDBaby, as mentioned above, is a good choice. Also, searching for e-tailers in the general "line" of your chosen genre is a good way to go.

Local stores are also a good place to check into seeing if they'll carry you. The leader of my group jokingly suggested his brewing supply store carry our CDs, and they turned out to be one of the more consistent selling outlets we have. Now, apparently, they're looking at an entire music section.

Those more or less work for us. Primarily, we sell at the events we work. But the other outlets keep a certain level of turnover going.

M

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19 May 03 - 07:53 PM (#955803)
Subject: RE: Distributing/promoting independent CDs?
From: michaelr

I second CDBaby; there's also CDStreet.com and efolkmusic.com.

Cheers,
Michael

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19 May 03 - 09:36 PM (#955834)
Subject: RE: Distributing/promoting independent CDs?
From: dwditty

I, too, am on cdbaby. They are very helpful and so easy to deal with.

Purchase the Indie Bible - available all over the internet for about $20 - a listing of print, radio, and internet sites that may be interested in their music.

I also use Sonic Bids Electronic Press Kit - EPK - for $50/year and about 20 minutes you create an email-able press kit with bio, photos, clips, press reviews, calendar, etc. And be sure to have a website.

One of my favorite tips from Derek Silvers at CDBaby: take a photo of your audience from the stage and announce you will post it on your website (give them the address). Everyone there will spend the next several days sending their friends to your site.

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20 May 03 - 08:26 AM (#956092)
Subject: RE: Distributing/promoting independent CDs?
From: GUEST

There are small Indie labels going through amazon.com but not directly. I know one here in the UK (one man, basically) and he's very pleased to have just signed a deal with Proper Music Distribution. The main advantage of Proper is their links with the big high street music retailers, but a side benefit is that they also feed product to Amazon.

It looks as if you need a middle-man distributor who has the commercial clout to get your CDs to places you couldn't do by yourself.

Sending to radio stations all over the place could be useful - I'm told that's an essential prerequisite if you want to get decent gigs in the USA. Given a distribution channel (web based, mail order, whatever) this could lead to some CD sales too, but it relies on radio listeners being excited enough to pick up the phone or get on the web to find out what the music was and where they can get it, and if the answer is that the local shops can't order it, then the process by which they can buy it had better be very simple and accessible or they won't bother.

Anahata

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20 May 03 - 10:10 AM (#956160)
Subject: RE: Distributing/promoting independent CDs?
From: wysiwyg

.... filter for "CD"

~S~

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