CD Fundraiser?

[topper]

My band has been approached by a fan to organize a fundraiser to get together money for our next CD. She's thinking wine, appetizers, etc. a performance from us.

She's planning something pretty swanky.

Anybody have experience with something like this? Did it work? Do you think it is a good idea?

[Geddyfleaharris]

While I personally have no experience with anything like that I have been reading more and more lately about bands finding creative ways to raise money for recording and/or tours. if someone else wants to take on a project like that on for you, she is on the level and it is done with some style then I say let her run with the ball! I would have her get final approval from your band for the details of the event just to make sure that it is something your band wants to be associated with and works for you guys.

[tplyons]

Sounds cool, but what kind of overhead are you looking at? Is your fan base the type who would be interested in stuff so swanky? etc.

It could be a huge success, or a huge flop. Therefore you'd better do your homework.

[Rick Auricchio]

So in essence she becomes your record label.

I've got a few questions that would be good for you to think about.

I'll use the term "contribute" to indicate money spent by people to attend the event. Essentially that's what they're doing.

1. Any money people contribute is not tax-deductible. Just so you know.

2. Since she's doing all this work, will she want any control over what you do?

3. Who will collect money at the event?

4. If things go wrong (she keeps the money or the CD doesn't get made), what is your responsibility to those who contributed? What if there's little or none left after expenses?

5. Will you have to deliver on any future promise to the attendees (i.e. they're promised a CD)? Hopefully all they get is a party and can buy your CD when it comes out.

6. Are you expected to entertain at the party?

7. Where will the party be held? Is there a charge for the venue? Insurance? Etc?

[topper]

These are all good points. Basically I have many of the same questions. No real answers but some general ideas.

Yes we have a fan base that would like something swanky.
We'll perform at the party, there will be food, beer and wine. She's handling all those details, with input from us. She's really focused on keeping costs down while still providing swank. Another fan has already fronted $500 as a donation to cover a lot of these costs. People who buy tickets will be promised an autographed copy of the CD prior to it being available to the general public.

[bkeating]

i think that sort of thing is a great idea and we've had some success with a similar type of fundraising. our band has been collecting donations on the internet with different price points to show our appreciation. for example, $15 gets you a pre ordered CD, while $500 gets you a dinner party prepared by the band. we have everything in between as well as options such as $5000 which gets you into a studio with us to record a song (and that option has been bought too!). so far we've found that most people are donating inbetween the set price points. aside from getting a CD and t-shirt, they're just happy helping out the cause.

we're over halfway to our goal of $40,000 and were able to go to nashville to record. along the way we made video blogs everyday and sent them out to all the people who donated so that they would know exactly how we were spending their donations. this proved to be crucial as many people were thankful to see that we weren't blowing it carelessly and the progress of the videos even prompted people to re-donate.

long story short, it's a great way to generate funds and it also creates a way for the fans to feel more connected to the band.

check out www.teamtrance.com

[topper]

$5000 which gets you into a studio with us to record a song

Do you mean, they just hang out in the studio or will they actually record something on the CD?

[bkeating]

they get to go into a studio on a separate occasion and have the opportunity to record whatever they want with the band. it's not something that would be on our CD but it gives someone the opportunity to have real, hands on time in a studio and get an idea of how a full song is tracked. some parents ended up getting it for their son who is a young guitar player and saw it as a good way for him to further test his passion. once it's finished we're going to post video footage of the session and audio clips on our website ect.

the greatest part of doing this sort of fundraising is the connection that builds with all the people whom only previously felt connected to the band through the music alone.

[topper]

That's a great idea. In our case, I think we could bring someone into the studio with us and do something like shake an egg shaker on an actual track. They'd have a real connection to the CD that way.

Thanks for all the great ideas!

[bkeating]

absolutely, and they'd probably love to get onstage and do it at the CD release too!

let us know how everything works out!