Distribution of CDs

[Freaky Fender]

My band just finished our EP (you can find a thread about it in recordings) and I'm looking to distribute it pretty far. I'd expect that Newburry comics would/could take it, since they're pretty much the biggest dealer on Indie tracks in NE.

One problem.

All of this has been DIY. From the production to studio time, to mastering, to the printing of the CDs (By that I mean, we're outsourcing it, but we're still paying for it out of our own pockets).

Are we pretty much F'd because we don't have a distributer, or is there a way to call up Newburry's and say "Will you take this?"

[Wrong Robot]

Sign up for CDbaby, sell it online with the iTunes music store(and other music stores) Distribution problem is solved. Then you just have to get the word out.

[canopener]

Or you could slap a "Limited Edition" sticker on it and jack up the price.

[Freaky Fender]

those are good ideas, but I'm talking about how to actually get it in stores.

[canopener]

Where's Music Attorney when you need him? He always popped up with advice to answer questions like these.

Whatever you do, be careful what you sign, even if it's only a distributor!

[Chunk-O-Funk]

Originally Posted by Freaky Fender

is there a way to call up Newburry's and say "Will you take this?"

I didn't see anything on their web site other than a customer service contact. On the "about us" section it mentions that New Bury Comics are independently owned. So, I think you would have to talk to the manager at a particular location and see if you can sell your CD there. If so they will let you know the terms.

I would stop in and ask to talk to a manager, it is probably the only way to find out.

[Freaky Fender]

Hey, thanks Chunk O Funk. I think I'll do that.

[Wrong Robot]

While I clearly see the reasons to wanting to have your EP available in actual stores. I think that ultimately, it makes a lot more sense to have it available online. Think about it. Independent EP of a band no one has heard of(no offense), If I'm at newbury comics, what are the chances that I'll actually hear your CD? Furthermore, where do you think I would have heard of your band in the first place? unless you're gigging a lot, I'd say 'the internet' and I'd probably be right. i=If you're gigging a lot, then I would expect you guys to be selling CDs at your shows where applicable, otherwise, it seems to me that the online model just makes a lot more sense.

I'm not saying you shouldn't put it in stores at all, but I would personally be putting more effort into setting up a way for people to purchase it online.

[Freaky Fender]

Kiefo, were gonna do both, most likely. And if I can't get it in stores, we're gonna have it availible online. So chill. We know we suck.

[Wrong Robot]

Oh, I'm not stressing, it's not my band

I was just wondering what your specific reasons for wanting it in a store were.

[Freaky Fender]

kinda a Pipedream, like the feeling of walking into a store and see a CD and go "Hey... that's my band."