I posted this on another site and I just want to kno what illfam thinks. seeing the way technology, the music business and the economy is going. is it a negative to go with "only" Digital Distribution Deals? your thoughts.....
Disclaimer: I'm posting strictly from the underground/unsigned/independent perspective.
There's a different approach from a major label perspective which others members from the Illmuzik community can add in and provide.
Bex, you coulda called me directly on this one, you, of all people should know better lol.
Nah, but this discussion can help others as well so let's get it.
I don't believe in the word "only" in any situation where I'm selling a product.
You want to create as many point-of-sale opportunities for transactions as possible.
So to answer your question, from a
sales perspective it is a negative.
From a
reality perspective, it costs lots of money to set up distribution and
the marketing and touring to support that distribution.
You can only go as far as your $$$ will take you, which is what Master P and Baby didn't tell
everyone when they wrote the Independent Hip-Hop label manual that everyone tries to follow today.
In terms of physical distribution: You're not gonna walk off the street into Select-O (Hits, Memphis TN) and "just" set up a physical distribution deal. Companies such as this especially in today's climate are gonna want you to provide "receipts" or some type of proof/backing that you can generate a return.
If you're working with some kind of budget, then look into doing
consignment deals with local music retailers in your region. As an indie artist, I want to give fans in the region that I'm based the opportunity to go to the store and pick my CD up.
Real-World Example
Big Kuntry King's CD "My Turn To Eat" was under-shipped in Atlanta and surrounding areas of GA. The feedback from fans wasn't "Big Kuntry's CD isn't in Best Buy,
so I'll go home and download it." It was "Why isn't Big Kuntry's CD at Best Buy, I'll drive to another to see if its there"
You mention the economy in your question. Money is tight for everyone, which means people aren't gonna buy your music "by accident". H-Town rapper Lil' Troy went platinum in the late 90's from 1 song. Today, you have to get the people talking through your presence both online and offline.
Just because your music is "everywhere online" doesn't mean people online will buy it.
The positive of dealng with digital distribution is that it does provide an opportunity to package your music in different ways, i.e. single sales, selling older material from your catalog etc.
It you're going to pursue a digital distribution deal, the traditional album promotion methods apply...and you still have to deliver good music and perform to generate a buzz factor.
