Rally and Soundcloud

[TerrellBurt]

So the next question then is... do professional looking CDs with color labels matter? Is this partially about image and the appearance of being a "legit" studio versus a home studio composer? The pessimist in me wonders how many of these CDs will just get tossed out.

Yes, the better the CD looks, the more likely it will get positive attention. It says "PROFESSIONAL."

Whether or not the CDs get tossed out is not in our control. What IS in our control is getting them into the right hands.

Having both Business Cards and CDs would be the best way to go I think. And make sure all the info on the business card is ALSO on the CD and the Jewel case. And use full sized Jewel Cases... those tiny thin ones are BAD BAD BAD for your image and they don't stand out in a crowd.

Casey mentioned that the white sleeves were fine for CD's. I was going to use the slim jewel cases. Now I don't know what to do lol.

[Casey H]

Casey mentioned that the white sleeves were fine for CD's. I was going to use the slim jewel cases. Now I don't know what to do lol.

Hi. First, it's important for me to mention that white paper sleeves being OK for the RALLY is my opinion. Not everyone will agree.

Music sups generally prefer full size cases with important labeling (such as genre/style/mood) on the spine because they can sit nicely on a bookshelf for later referencing. So normally if you, for example, were going to mail a CD to a sup, a full size case is the way to go.

The rally is different in that industry folks travel from all over and get handed many CDs. Lugging home a bunch of full size CDs in their suitcase may be a pain in the rear and the CDs could end up in their hotel room trash can.

So I only take paper sleeve CDs with me. The labeling isn't fancy at all, just my contact info and a track listing with genres.

BTW, I'm going on my 8th rally and I think I've only given out a CD to an industry person once. So, if this is your first time, don't come believing you will give CDs to lots of folks. Making contacts and learning are the important things.

But I WOULD have CDs with me and not just business cards with SC links because the odds of your business card being tossed in trash or put in a pile that is never looked at again are high. One very good thing about CDs is if someone has a bunch of them, they may play them in their car while driving. That's why I'm not that fond of mp3 data sticks since most cars can't play them. Oh, and only AUDIO CD's. They will play in any CD player.

JMHO

[TheElement]

Good points Casey.

Last year I gave out a good amount of CD's. More than biz cards. The CD's were in jackets and small enough to carry so they were like my biz cards.

Every mentor I gave them a CD. I did both lunches. Gave CD's to the sound guys cause they wanted music to listen to when they drove back home. Gave CD's to a few sups at the panels. Gave CD's to other Taxi members.. Gave CD's to workshops/class lecturers. Man I gave CD's out to tons of people.

Only prob the songs were not that good.

[jerryjennings]

Hey thanks for all the cool responses! What we ended up doing is what Owen said. My domain has categories called "funk" and "world" and "country"and when you click on them they go to that Soundcloud playlist. I figure I'll probably end up bringing the usual stack of cd's too. www.jerryjenningsmusic.com

Thanks, J

[BillPerry]

Great thread here; always helpful to hear from the Road Rally pros!

[Casey H]

Every mentor I gave them a CD. I did both lunches. Gave CD's to the sound guys cause they wanted music to listen to when they drove back home. Gave CD's to a few sups at the panels. Gave CD's to other Taxi members.. Gave CD's to workshops/class lecturers. Man I gave CD's out to tons of people.

Nothing wrong with giving out those CDs as long as you are realistic about how many of them will even get played. (And worth a shot)... Some lunch mentors and panelists truly will listen to at a least 1-2 tracks. Many others won't, simply because they get so many CDs and are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of CDs handed to them.

I don't give CDs out unsolicited to music sup panelists. Too many people storm the stage to hand them CDs at the end of the panels and I think it just annoys them.

BTW, this is one reason why TRACK 1 on your CD has to be your very best and kick ass. If you get a listen, you have to reel them in with that first track or they probably won't go much further.

Most people have found that if you can exchange business cards with an industry person and email them a week or so later asking if you can send them a Soundcloud link or CD, your chances are better.

Casey