mp3 distributors

[crime]

Just out of interest, what kind of numbers are people who run digital labels here through these mp3 distributors are people managing to sell? It seems to me that this whole digital distribution thing is all a bit money for old rope - I mean, what physical product is there to distribute? it's like it's just about contacts and administration I guess, but even so, is anyone actually making enough out of a digital label not to have to work? cos I mean, if you're not, who are you really serving with your label financially? some middleman's meal ticket?

[tonyc2002]

Just out of interest, what kind of numbers are people who run digital labels here through these mp3 distributors are people managing to sell? It seems to me that this whole digital distribution thing is all a bit money for old rope - I mean, what physical product is there to distribute? it's like it's just about contacts and administration I guess, but even so, is anyone actually making enough out of a digital label not to have to work? cos I mean, if you're not, who are you really serving with your label financially? some middleman's meal ticket?

Good question.

Last quarter we sold over 200 downloads, which eqauted to about £100. Better than a kick in the nackers but on the greater scale of things, its **** all. Reward for me is seeing stuff on my label on the download stores and in the sales charts alongside stuff thats well established and to be honest, deep down, I never really expected this to be a serious money maker.

I setup the label for the challenge of trying to make music that would sell, gaining contacts, and making in-roads that would eventually lead to gigs etc..

Your right in that it is far simpler (and less risky) than having to press up CD's/vinyls but you still have to make an effort with regards to promotion. I've spent months (and cash) getting artwork done, setting up a website, setting up a professional mailing list etc...All of which helps to generate a more professional image. But I've enjoyed it!

Our next release has already got a little support from Anne Savage and Les Hemstock.

Just getting established DJ's to support what you do is reward enough for me.....at least, for now :)

[crime]

Good question.

I setup the label for the challenge of trying to make music that would sell, gaining contacts, and making in-roads that would eventually lead to gigs etc..

Your right in that it is far simpler (and less risky) than having to press up CD's/vinyls but you still have to make an effort with regards to promotion. I've spent months (and cash) getting artwork done, setting up a website, setting up a professional mailing list etc...All of which helps to generate a more professional image. But I've enjoyed it!

Our next release has already got a little support from Anne Savage and Les Hemstock.

Just getting established DJ's to support what you do is reward enough for me.....at least, for now :)

Do you really need to have your stuff in the online stores for established people to pick up on it? I mean, maybe I'm lucky that I've been doing my thing for years so I view it from that perspective but whenever I've done mp3 releases I'd be doing well if I sold 100 - now if I just give away my stuff for free thru my website & promotion thru facebook, Myspace & the like, I get 2000+ downloads -

I mean, maybe it works like that for me as I'm established and I've never put any serious effort into a Digital label, but as far as getting stuff to peoples ears, if I'm not going to make any money out of it anyway I might as well just give it away if it means I'll get 20x the amount of people listening to it- this is why I say, if you're selling say 100 downloads, and you have some people who have the contacts and do the groundwork to get this stuff on certain stores like beatport etc, I mean, fair enough for the hard work and everything but it does stink to me of a bit of a gentleman's club that isn't really in touch with the underground - more likely a bunch of people who don't have any musical talent but are very good at being the wheeler dealer and being the middle man -

I can't see how it will go on forever unless people are convinced that they are needed - distribution had a point when there was physical product to manufacture and shift around but as I say, seems a bit emperors new clothes to me these days - I can see the point maybe if you are just starting out, but surely you're going to get lost just as much in the sheer volume of stuff coming out these days thru the digital distributors as you would if you did it all yourself - it's never been so important to get a grass roots following through live performances & generally just being 2000x better than the next man as it is now....