A new way to deliver your product?

[leonche64]

Just thinking about this. My band is close to finishing our album. First we were going to do a traditional CD, then we wanted to include the concert footage from our larger venue shows, so we decided to go DVD ROM. Now, as we have more material we want to get out, we are thinking to release it on memory stick. We will have it made with our band logo and contact info on the outside. Just like our business cards. Has anyone on TB had any experience with this? Do you think it is a good idea? Will it work?

[puddin tame]

So what, i'm going to just throw my memory stick into my car stereo and play away?

or a dvd for that matter?

and how expensive is a memory stick in relation to a cd? do you want to make money???

[MHT75]

Originally Posted by puddin tame

So what, i'm going to just throw my memory stick into my car stereo and play away?

or a dvd for that matter?

and how expensive is a memory stick in relation to a cd? do you want to make money???

You could play it in your car if the stereo has a USB hub.

[Ric5]

Why not just sell the song online for $1 a download?

[leonche64]

Hey guys, thanks for the response. I guess I should clarify. We operate in South China. In Shenzhen, just across the border from Hong Kong. We play in 4 cities, Shenzhen, Guanzhou, Hong Kong, and Dong Guan. Estimated population is a combined 33 million people. Most people in our audience don't drive cars. Buses, subway and taxis are the primary modes of transportation. We are thinking about computers, laptops, electronic tablets, netbooks and the like. To print a traditional CD with art work and jewel case will be about $4 per unit. We can buy the memory sticks with lanyards for about $1.20. We can have a company load them for $5 per 100. So financially it makes sense for us. We feel we can give a lot more in a memory stick. We can give the songs as well as artwork and videos. I guess I am asking about the perception of it. Is it too much into the technology side of it. Does it take away from the music? We always sell out of merchandise, so it is not a money issue.

[Dekker]

If you know your market/target audience is technologically capable, you should have no problem. But keep in mind, you're bucking a trend - it can flop.

A CD can just be put in any player, ripped, whatever. With a USB key, they need a particular type of device (usually full computer/netbook), so you are adding an extra step for many to get your music played.

One option is to offer both for your first small 'release', see which flies off the shelves faster, and follow up with a larger batch of the winner.

[jakrees747]

out of curiosity, where can you get memory sticks loaded that cheap?

[R. Laevinus]

It's not really new. Didn't NIN do it a couple of years ago?

Anyway, in your situation it sounds like it could fly. Asians love their technology, and will probably be all over it. I also dig your idea to give more than just the music - i.e. the artwork and whatnot.

I would caution you, however, to make sure that all extra material is strictly related to the band and the music - I have been known, and have known others, to ditch an artist when they try to slip some sort of preachy 'message' of one kind or another into their CD cases, hidden tracks, etc.

What I mean is, don't take the opportunity to extoll the virtues of whatever causes you may happen to espouse - keep it about the music - because the fans are fans because of the music, not because of what you do in your off time.

[Jason P Bass]

Originally Posted by leonche64

Hey guys, thanks for the response. I guess I should clarify. We operate in South China. In Shenzhen, just across the border from Hong Kong. We play in 4 cities, Shenzhen, Guanzhou, Hong Kong, and Dong Guan. Estimated population is a combined 33 million people.

I've been to Hong Kong a few times. I think you are definitely going in the right direction here. I've never seen a Hong Kong person buy an actual legit CD (or CD-ROM, or DVD) and every single person has some form of MP3 player or iPod.

Westerners should also keep in mind that many people in Hong Kong rejected the XBox because it was so large that it would take up too much space in their homes. Physical space is a premium.

No idea what type of music you're playing, or if it's original or covers. But still, I think hitting the market with USB drives (which deliver the electronic copy of the music, and will remain a useful device after delivery) is brilliant.

As with all independent bands, though, I caution that you do not expect to make money selling the music yet. Use it as a marketing tool to get people to your shows.

Good luck!

[AwkwardLoudness]

I say go for the USB memory stick distribution. This seems to be a growing trend among bands. There are plenty of other bands who sell or give away USB thumb drives at concerts.

[delta7fred]

I am old and way behind the times (according to my kids).

I buy CDs but I never play them on a CD player, I rip them into my PC and play that into my hifi, put them on a USB stick to play in my car, put them on my mp3 player to play through headphones. I never ever play CDs as CDs.

I would love to buy music on mp3 sticks, saves the hassle of ripping it.

[Winemule]

Post your stuff on your website and sell dowload cards. We offer both: Older fans buy CDs to listen to in the car on the way home, younger ones buy the cards and download to their phones or their home computers. Cheap, too.

[Thor]

Subbed. Very pertinent discussion on music distribution and media. Cd seems to be dying here now, so, what's next?

[leonche64]

Originally Posted by jakrees747

out of curiosity, where can you get memory sticks loaded that cheap?

Got the same quote from 3 media supply companies in Long Hua. It is a suburb of Shenzhen where Foxconn is located. They build the ipad, iphone, and other manufacturers as well.

[leonche64]

Originally Posted by R. Laevinus

It's not really new. Didn't NIN do it a couple of years ago?

Anyway, in your situation it sounds like it could fly. Asians love their technology, and will probably be all over it. I also dig your idea to give more than just the music - i.e. the artwork and whatnot.

I would caution you, however, to make sure that all extra material is strictly related to the band and the music - I have been known, and have known others, to ditch an artist when they try to slip some sort of preachy 'message' of one kind or another into their CD cases, hidden tracks, etc.

What I mean is, don't take the opportunity to extoll the virtues of whatever causes you may happen to espouse - keep it about the music - because the fans are fans because of the music, not because of what you do in your off time.

I think I know what you are getting at. It is just about the music.

[leonche64]

Originally Posted by Winemule

Post your stuff on your website and sell dowload cards. We offer both: Older fans buy CDs to listen to in the car on the way home, younger ones buy the cards and download to their phones or their home computers. Cheap, too.

I like the idea, but it wont work in our situation. While extremely tech savvy, folks around these parts don't trust what they don't hold. Just way too many scams in these parts. This extends to include health insurance, retirement funds and the like. They would rather keep the cash in the bank. So if we have actual product to put in their hands, it will go over much better.

[Baron Von Vik]

I think it's a great idea for your particular situation. On the other hand, you could see sales drop off due to people "lending" their memory sticks to a couple hundred friends (of course, assuming your fan base is wide enough that it matters) but all in all, a worthwhile experiment at the very least.
Who knows, filesharing itself might even be an effective marketing strategy, vis a vis Radiohead's "In Rainbows" album.
In any case, it appears you've a sound economic rationale. I'd be interested to hear how it all works out for you.

[JohnMCA72]

Originally Posted by jakrees747

out of curiosity, where can you get memory sticks loaded that cheap?

Google: USB custom drive

They can be had in all sorts of sizes, shapes, colors, logos, etc.

[jakrees747]

Originally Posted by JohnMCA72

Google: USB custom drive

They can be had in all sorts of sizes, shapes, colors, logos, etc.

i was requesting the specific company, but thanks anyway, id never heard of google before

[puddin tame]

Originally Posted by MHT75

You could play it in your car if the stereo has a USB hub.

who am i, bill gates??