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Gigdoggy
ubw newbie
Joined: Dec 10, 2007
Posts: 38
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| Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2007 9:52 am |
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merchandising, gigs or album sales (physical and digital) ?
is there anything else to be aware of?
Im under the impression that album sales is overated nowadays
Dont income streams mostly come through merch and gigs? |
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Steve_Allen
ubw newbie
Joined: Jan 04, 2008
Location: Global
Posts: 16
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| Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 4:20 am |
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Hi Gigdoggy,
It all depends on what stage of your career you are at. There are a lot of "Indie" bands out there that rake in more cash from album sales than some signed artists to a major label (although the vast majority of indie labels are owned by the majors!).
But let's look at the initial stages of an Indie bands' career.
Record sales at gigs can increase the bands' income by up to 70% depending on the venue.
Don't ever forget that CD's are a souvenir at gigs and the listener can play your music any time they like and remember who you are, as well as show their friends what a great band you are.
Also the CD cover can hold a lot of information, like contact numbers, website addresses etc., a lot more information than say a T shirt could offer.
The band would have to have quite a solid position in the market to justify merchandise being bought. Would you wear a T shirt with a name or brand that you hardly know?
At the initial stage of a bands' career, the secret is to get the name out and always keep in touch with the fan base to make that baby grow. Once that has been consolidated, the sales end for merchandise will be in the bag. 
Success,
Steve Allen
| Gigdoggy wrote: | merchandising, gigs or album sales (physical and digital) ?
is there anything else to be aware of?
Im under the impression that album sales is overated nowadays
Dont income streams mostly come through merch and gigs? |
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| Back to top |
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Gigdoggy
ubw newbie
Joined: Dec 10, 2007
Posts: 38
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| Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 1:11 am |
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Thanks alot steve,
Very good point about the CDs and the fact that they constitute a
souvenir. I know for sure thats one of the reasons i buy them at
concerts, but then again so is the extra merch. And another good point about the booklet containing lots of info.
Actually I suppose that in some cases, record sales at the venue can far exceed that 70% figure.
But i think that any type of merch can create such revenue. I mean, if a good band sells t-shirts with an awsome logo, revenue might come from the art more than from the rest. But its true that the CD actually contains the music.
But those CD sold were sold at the venue during the gig. Im not sure if many bands make a living with
a/digital distribution via portals like itunes and cdbaby (etc)
and with
b/ retailers and record stores
But then again all that depends, as you said, on what stage the band is in.
And this is even more biased by the fact that 'indie' is a very vast term representing tons of artists that arent at the same level of experience and consiladation within the markets.
But still, seems as if everything is revolving around gigs for indie bands
revenue wise.
Whats a reasonable figure to expect if say I have a band with a 200 person fanbase and i suddendly decide to sell other merch then CDs like tshirts and sweater etc?
Again it al depends on lots of stuff...
Anyways, if you could give us some websites that do merchandise we would be greatful. Or print sites for flyers and posters.
thx again
Gigdoggy |
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