Why Bands Should NOT Sell Their album as a digital download.
If you’re a band trying to determine whether or not you should sell your music digitally, or offer it for free online with an optional donation link (Radiohead/Pennywise style), then listen up!
I keep hearing people say that bands like Radiohead and Pennywise were successful using the digital model of music distribution only because they already had a big enough fan base. They say that the model won’t work for smaller bands because their fan bases have yet to be established. I have no clue what these people are thinking!
The way I see it is that smaller bands stand to benefit more because they really have nothing to lose. After all, the #1 stumbling block for new artists is TRYING TO GET THEIR MUSIC EXPOSED! What better way than to offer it for free!
So, how exactly will a band benefit from this method of distribution?
Well, you see if you actually encourage people to download your albums while providing a donation option that lets them determine how much they feel it’s worth, you’ll achieve the following:
1) Your music will reach people who want to hear your style of music. How do I know this? It makes sense: If you make something more readily available and FREE, more people will be attracted to it!
2) Since your music will reach more people with free digital downloads, more people will come see you play, not only in your own town, but also when you’re on tour. Remember: None of this can happen if you don’t get your music out there in the first place! Besides, your true, diehard fans will still buy records and t-shirts either online or at one of your shows.
The band Bomb the Music Industry is a perfect example of the success of this strategy. On their MySpace profile they let fans DOWNLOAD ENTIRE ALBUMS FOR FREE! As a result, they have had more than 300,000 profile views, which also translates into more people attending their shows. Just take a look at how many shows they have booked right here!
Clearly, this is the direction every band should take, regardless of their level of popularity. The alternative to this is a long, drawn out fight with your fans and with technology… a lose-lose situation! It’s time for musicians to open their minds to an alternative for distributing their music. And please, don’t forget to play as many all age shows as possible! Don’t forget that once we were all just some underage punk kid too.
Take Care,
Steve Longoria
Click here if you’re interested in offering your albums for free download in our online store.
