How many CD's is a good number to bring?

[AndyKotz]

I've been looking through last years Rally info and even read "Casey's Road Rally Checklist" but I'm tired. My question is... what's a good number of CD's to bring to the Rally 10? 50? 100? Ok... I know it's probably more like 10-20, but can someone with several Rally's under their belt advise me regarding how many CD's I should have on hand? Thanks... -- Andy

[mazz]

I've always come home with left over CDs. I've tried to get in the mass crush of folks shoving CDs at panelists but I always feel a bit cheap and needy afterwards.

So I don't bring many CDs at all anymore. I bring a ton of business cards and extra money to buy drinks for folks. I have my iPhone and an adapter for multiple headphones if the occasion arises to play something for someone on the spot. It hasn't arisen yet, except for the official mentor session. Bring a CD for that for sure.

Here's a couple of suggestions:

Bring some blank CDs, pre-printed labels and your laptop. If you run out of CDs, burn them on demand or go up to the room to replenish. This way, you only burn what you think you need that day and you don't waste a bunch of CDs that you'll never end up giving out except to your colleagues. (I like you man, but I'm not going to take your CD. I come with a carry on only and won't be taking any back with me. Give me a card with your website address.)

I had preprinted blank CDs and nicely designed digipacks made up a couple of years ago with DiscMakers. I would decide on a playlist ahead of time, print it out on blank clear mailing labels (which are cheap). I would bring 10 or 15 blank CDs and the corresponding number of labels. I would burn one or two CDs in my room, affix the label and put them in my pocket or bag. If I happened to hand them out, I'd take a break at some point and burn one or two more up in the room. The CDs cost me 3 bucks apiece but they look great and I'm careful who I hand them out to. They will last me several years, particularly in this day and age when fewer and fewer folks are taking CDs, they prefer to go to a website and listen and/or download to their ipod.


For sure research the listening panels ahead of time when the information is posted (probably in the next couple of weeks). Decide which panels you are going to pitch to, and burn a CD with only that piece on it (test it to make sure it plays!). Write all your info on the CD and tape a business card to a flat jewel case or paper sleeve. They will also give you a label to put on the CD that will denote which panel you are submitting for. Don't forget to put your member number on the CD! This way you have targeted CDs for each panel and if you lose track of the CD, who cares, they're so cheap these days.

Did I say test and make sure your CDs play? At the ASCAP Expo this year, I paid for a mentor session and showed up and my CD wouldn't play in the player they provided for the mentor. Fortunately I was carrying my iPad and whipped it out and was able to play some stuff for the mentor. It pays to have a backup play in that situation since you only get 10 or 15 minutes. It goes by quick, believe me.

Moral: In my experience, you won't need as many CDs as you think you will. Bring business cards, an open mind, a smile, a willingness to listen and money to buy drinks. IMO that will get you quite a ways down the road. If they do request a CD, you can hand them one or just get their info and send it to them a week or two later with a reminder of who you are. You will stand out more than you would if your CD was one of literally hundreds they will have to have Taxi ship to their office for them.

Just my 4c

Mazz

PS: If you're printing up business cards, you might consider putting one of those cool multilayered UPC codes on the back. You can put your website address or your SoundCloud page address on there and when they shoot it with their smartphone camera (with the correct app), they will automatically be taken to the website (SoundCloud gets extra points in my book because it's iOS friendly, i.e., no flash like Reverbnation). Those codes can be generated with free software on your computer.

[Casey H]

Mazz covered this great... Most of us used to bring a zillion CDs and end up giving most to friends and coming home with a lot of them.

You should bring some CDs but don't go hog-wild. They are probably more important for classes and listening panels than for handing to some industry exec who may leave it in trash pail of his room before checking out. That's not to say that giving your CD to an industry exec never works-- sometimes it does and you should have some CDs just in case (no pun on "case" here).

As mazz often points out, it's WAY more important to make an impression on someone you meet by chatting at the bar (or other place), exchanging biz cards, and following up a week later. Listen to the other person talk and if they ask for a CD, great. But don't push your CD on them.

Some classes involve the instructor listening to audience tracks. Often, class participants can take a CD in envelope or case, wrap a lyric sheet to it with a rubberband (bring lyrics and rubberbands for that!), and pass it up to the teach (apple not required )... You can easily get THESE CDs back after the class.

For drop box listening panels in the large ballrooms, you deposit a CD in a box outside the room before the session. Many hundreds, maybe a thousand, CDs get dropped. Although you CAN get your CD back afterwards, it's pretty hectic so I simply sacrifice those CDs-- I don't bother trying to get them back.

I think the single most important things to bring to a rally are your ears and an open mind.

See you there soon!
Casey

[Casey H]

PS...

For *ROAD RALLIES*, I usually put my CDs in envelopes and not jewel cases. This is simply because whoever you give one to is probably traveling and I think light weight is better. I print neat labels with track listings and my contact info on large stick-on labels (like large Avery address labels) and stick them on the envelopes. MHO is neatly printed and easy to carry trumps the fancy stuff.

If you are an artist with already shrink-wrap ready CDs, that might not apply as much, especially if you are an artist seeking a lable deal. For film/TV composers, it's all you need (again IMHO).

Definitely make business cards. They also don't have to be very fancy and they are easy to make on your own using Microsoft Word or many other programs.

On everything, readability trumps fancy.

Casey

[AndyKotz]

Understood... now, my question still goes unanswered. "How many CD's is a good number to bring?"

From reading Mazz's response... he brings 10-15 blank ones and custom burns them in his hotel room based on the situations. Is that right? Or do you bring 5 pre-made CD's that represent your strongest musical attributes and then an additional 15 (or so) blank ones? Would that be a good idea... I seem to be getting closer to answering this myself!!

Can't wait to see you two guys in person too!!
I'll be the short, fat, bald guy walking around foaming at the mouth... (I'm due for my rabies shot but will forego that in lieu of the Rally).

[Casey H]

Maybe 15-20 pre-burned with your best material, labeled, and ready to go.

If you need to show a specific track to someone, you can always put a post-it or note on it with "Track 3"... I bring scotch tape because I don't trust that post-its will always stick without a bit of extra reinforcements.

For drop boxes, the give you a special stick on label where you put the genre and track number.

Casey

[mazz]

I would slightly differ with Casey on making your own business cards. Business cards are inexpensive to have printed professionally, even with a glossy finish. Your business card is yet another chance to make a first impression. If your card is cheap looking, what does that say about you, your music and how you do business? Take a lesson from the sadly departed Steve Jobs and put yourself in the customers' shoes and give them something that makes them remember you, in a good way.

See you soon!

Off to log on to VistaPrint and replenish the business cards!

Mazz

PS: Only you can ultimately decide your comfort level regarding how many CDs to bring. On one of our first vacations together, my wife couldn't decide what to pack. I suggested she overpack to make herself comfortable and then she would know next time what she would need to leave home next time.

[AndyKotz]

1)
Mazz...

The "Only you can ultimately decide your comfort level regarding how many CDs to bring..." statement wasn't what I was looking for! Tell you what. I was about to log onto my DiscMakers online, short-run account and have 100 CD's made! Thankfully, you saved my ass from that waste of money!! I feel it's far more effective to do what you suggested. I went ahead and had blank CD's imprinted with my company name, my name, ASCAP declaration and contact info. I also had a 2-panel insert made featuring my company logo (see my avatar) with my name and contact info on both sides and left a big spot on the (inside) insert page to stick on a printable, clear CD playlist. Very cool idea Mazz... I will be bringing my Mac laptop with all my audio files so I can custom burn CD's in the hotel room or even on the spot, should the need arise. I also have a tiny portable printer too. I'll bring 20 or so blank ones. I'm set...



2)
I have had business cards for years and I recently had another 500 made up. They're practical and I get nothing but complements on them. I say they're practical for me because I kill 2 birds with one stone. It's a 2-sided card.

One side is the "Andy Kotz" business card for me, the artist and my website and CD info, etc.
The other side is for AKMusic Productions which is my production company and business.
They came out great looking.



3)
Now... how many pairs of underwear should a newbie bring because I imagine I will soil myself quite a few times... from the excitement and all...

[mazz]

Glad I could be of some assistance anyway!

Your materials look great!

See you soon!

Mazz

[Ellwood]

Your cards and labels are very classy! nice job on the design Andy!