Is anyone selling any downloads these days ?

[ragani]

Raaj, I appreciate your comment about the lists on iTunes and will add them. I still don't feel someone could generate a great deal of sales in the standard music world unless you have the major label machine behind it generating huge buzz OR you get a hit ad on TV OR a major film trailer, etc.

On your music, I totally see why you are getting downloads. You have unique World music aimed for a specific audience who is looking for it. Difficult to create, beautiful and unique and very hard to find. It's wonderful and I'm going to go download some.

Hi Moomy,

Thanks for the kind words! Luckily, the yoga trend is a popular, billion-dollar industry these days, and that helps people who do music like what I do. But it still takes a bit of sweat and grace to have it all unfold. I've still got my eye set on those stadiums filled with chanters. I reckon it's just a matter of time now...

And I do love what they call "marketing"-- I really just find it a matter of making connections with people and watching things unfold. Success is when preparation meets opportunity, and I find the harder I work, the luckier I get.

Raags

[beachbum]

About the lists...mine are ending up on that Ping thing they have there - (I thought I had to sign up for it ?)

Itunes is REAL SLOW loading on my computer and I don't know if the lists I created are just on Ping or on Itunes as well ?

anyone know ?

thanks..bum

[beachbum]

In case anyone else has that same question about the lists it seems that once you "publish" them they're available on Itunes and Ping - I guess Ping is another social networking site affiliated with Itunes..it remains to be seen if the lists will bring me listeners but being a former DJ i'm finding them fun to make - discovering a lot of cool music as well..bum

[mojobone]

Playlists are popular and get traded like mixtapes, in certain circles. I'd recommend an aggregator like TuneCore over dealing direct with iTunes, particularly if you have a small catalog of albums, rather than individual songs. That way you can ensure your music is available in lots of digital stores and on streaming services, like Spotify, where playlisting is an even bigger deal. Doing covers of huge hits can also help you get found on these kinds of sites when people are using search. Jay Frank's book Futurehit.DNA has lots of tips for maximizing your music's potential in the modern digital marketplace.

[beachbum]

thanks Mojo..I did the tunecore thing..I'm waiting for my stuff to go live on Spotify & the others..i'm interested in exploring Spotify & hearing what all the rage is about..I think it's about time to make some more playlists..got about 10 but having 23 tracks on the record I put up,i'm sure I can triple or even quadruple that - the "mixtape" effect of the lists is something I never considered and a cover is on my list of things to do..I just have to find out all the legalities..i'll checkout those books....bum

[simonparker]

When was the last time I bought a download? hmmm... 3 years ago I think. I actually subscribe to Rhapsody for free streaming for a monthly fee. That plus going over to Youtube pretty much enables me to listen to what I want. I hear it in the club, on the radio on the way to work, at the gym, etc. and then if I like it, I go onto youtube or rhapsody and take enough listens till I'm satsified. My ipod has stopped filling up with new music (except my own stuff).

Let's look at it this way. There's 3 things going on we must accept:

1) There's not a lot of money in mechanicals anymore. If the record labels are resorting to 360 deals, more one hit wonders, and cutting staff, and still not making much dough, you know the high end of download money isn't that high.
2) Supply and Demand. In 2004 I could not be on iTunes without substantial money or help. Now I can go on there through 3rd parties such as Tunecore for as little as $4/yr. How many other fish are doing that? That means, for every real Katy Perry, there are 3,000 others that get on iTunes that try to be her. Back in 2004, maybe one other could get on and thus be able to sell. But with 3,000 all sounding a like? Nah, I'll just stick with Katy Perry and the sound alikes are out of luck....
3) Quantity is beating quality. Ok, so you think your song is good.. Your mom and beer drinking friends say so. But for someone like me, I'm not paying for anything unless I think it's fantastic. So put your stuff on youtube. advertise through iTunes. Send me an e-mail. Go on tour for 3 years. I don't care. If you suck, I'm not buying it or going to youtube to check it out.

So how do you get a lot of downloads? Absent being lady gaga, you aren't. But you can get a sizable amount. As Matto said - advertise. Youtube/Facebook. Tour. Tour. Tour. Press for radio airplay. Get a placement on TV/Film. There's no shortcuts here. But the traditional ways of generating sales without the backing of a record company - the "myspace" advertising or e-mails, you're not going to get a lot anymore because of #1,#2, and #3, I mentioned above. Remember, in 1988 if you had a little buzz, you could sell your CDs at the club. Now, why buy the CD when I can hear it on Youtube?

[coachdebra]

You're right Matto..I'm just not a self promoter,not the guy who grabs the guitar at a party - most people don't even know I play an instrument or write...it just feels wrong talking myself up..it's not laziness as i'm constantly writing/recording & pitching my music (and making $) - in 2012 i'm trying to create enough music revenue streams to be able to go without a part time job - the download thing is a real possibility (I know it won't be much but it's SOMETHING) and I should be all over it but FB for me is really just a way to keep in touch w/friends & family - I have a FB artists page but w/out enough fans you can't even host music there - I don't play out as it seems pointless living on the beach (cue Margaritaville) and writing & recording is my thing..I'm almost 50 and it's against my nature to banging my chest saying "look at me" - I dunno I guess i'm just thinking out loud - thanks for the reply...bum
http://www.myspace.com/liteboxtherapy

I can help you get over that....

[coachdebra]

And I do love what they call "marketing"-- I really just find it a matter of making connections with people and watching things unfold. Success is when preparation meets opportunity, and I find the harder I work, the luckier I get.

Raags

YES!
Exactly. Marketing is about creating an environment in which people WANT to buy from you. It's about connecting, engaging and relating with people - not about being a slimy used car salesman.

People buy from the people they know, like and trust. So marketing is about engaging with them so they get to know you, like you and trust you - and know, like and trust your music!

[zircon]

Sound advice. For what it's worth, my download sales have been pretty healthy. Enough to pay my mortgage every month with some left over, though they don't come in consistently. I sell on iTunes (#1 by far), my own website, Amazon MP3 (and the rest of CD Baby's digital partners) and Bandcamp. I attribute my growth in sales to my efforts on Facebook, Youtube and people discovering music via Pandora.

[beachbum]

that's promising Zircon..I don't expect those kinds of sales but a trickle would be cool - i'm trying to build a FB page but it's a slow go...I should be on Spotify soon as it's been about a month since I signed up through tunecore - then I just wait,or do I have to do things to promote on Spotify ? (haven't a clue)

Debra..your posts are always helpful but I can't afford that sort of thing...thanks though..bum