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Re: Indie Record Label Economics

Milo — Sun, 02 Jun 2013 05:13:40 -0000

Hi, Great Post! Very hard to find any tangible numbers on indie labels. Would you happen to know the outcome of the example release (profitable or not). Maybe even specific numbers if you could. And where would you place that in the overall indie world? Extremely common? Or rarity in this new world of selling music to internet consumers?

Re: Record Label Recording Contracts: The Basics

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Re: Indie Record Label Economics

NumbersWereNeverMy Things — Sun, 05 May 2013 22:19:46 -0000

also thank you for the very good article. it is much appreciated.

Re: Indie Record Label Economics

NumbersWereNeverMy Things — Sun, 05 May 2013 22:18:55 -0000

I'm trying to understand where the $70,072.23 figure came from. Can you show me the math behind it so I can understand?

Re: Record Label Recording Contracts: The Basics

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Re: Record Label Recording Contracts: The Basics

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Re: Record Label Recording Contracts: The Basics

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Re: Record Label Recording Contracts: The Basics

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Re: What Indie Musicians Should Know About Physical Distribution

Bob Gifford — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 01:52:17 -0000

how much does it cost to record and distribute a CD and get real radio
airplay

Re: An Argument Against Fan Funding by Brian Hazard

The_Elder_Geek — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 16:11:59 -0000

Plenty of success stories put the truth to your lies.

Re: The 21st Century Indie Band Manager

Skeef — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 09:46:43 -0000

Good stuff!!

Re: A Few Reasons Indie Musicians Should Hope Spotify Succeeds

Bothfeet — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 13:52:52 -0000

Promises, promises. If Spotify continues to put the cart of streaming before the horse of a correct fee schedule for musicans and composers how can any artist show the company any respect at all. "I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today" maybe be suitable for the cartoon character Whimpy but that approach doesn't fly in the real world of a serious music business. Shut it down, Spotify, until you can show artists on whose work you the proper monetary respect from the get go!

Re: Which Paid Music Marketing Services Should You be Using in 2013?

JMP — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 01:42:23 -0000

Good information. Japan Music Promotion www.japanmusicpromotion.com offers promotion/marketing services for artists who want to reach the japanese music market. Please check it.

Re: What Indie Musicians Should Know About Physical Distribution

Nassour — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 00:22:59 -0000

Hello David, I find this very helpful have learn a lot. By the way I'm in Tanzania and I own a record label and a recording studio. Demand for music from Africa its a bit challenging especially from East African countries, I believe we have got great tunes but penetrating as been a major problem taking the right media.

Re: Which Paid Music Marketing Services Should You be Using in 2013?

stan stewart — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 14:44:43 -0000

I can see why you chose these as possible _paid_ services. I'd like to see why you'd choose these over free or lower-cost alternatives. For example, why BandPage when BandCamp has a similar set of feeds (potentially for less cost) and adds merchandise and a new fan feature?

Also, if an indie has to pick and choose, which of these would you recommend? Not all indie musicians can spend hundreds of dollars per month on multiple services.

Thanks for the thought-provoking post.

Re: 3 Ways to Double Your Income from Merchandise at Gigs

sedaliasteve — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 14:25:10 -0000

You can also encourage sales volume by tossing low cost items in multiple purchases. For example, 1 CD and 1 tee get a sticker and button tossed in. I seen some bands with lots of cool shirts, vinyl records and a wide range of items who seem to making more off merch than tix.

Re: The 21st Century Indie Band Manager

David Rose — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 09:39:31 -0000

Thanks for the comments and kind words Micaiah!

Re: The 21st Century Indie Band Manager

Micaiah Liner — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 21:05:44 -0000

I like what you bring out from the discussion with the band manager at the beginning of this article. There are so many ways to get exposure for bands these days that terrestrial radio, in many ways, does not offer. For example, you mention that 21st century band managers should be well versed in social media strategies; how and how not to use them. Social media has created a wonderful launchpad for artists. If a manager can leverage these tools they will likely spill over into other management efforts. How about a well produced tour documentary. Fans will love getting to see what has happened on the bands latest coast to coast tour and booking agents will like seeing packed clubs, festivals, and simply the bands ability to put on great shows over a long period of time.

Band managers have some great opportunities for growth and innovation in the days ahead.

Great food for thought David. I've just subscribed to your blog in Google Reader; I look forward to reading more articles!

Re: Indie Record Label Economics

David Rose — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 11:47:45 -0000

Indie labels typically don't get paid a % for an artist's live gigs. Although, many major labels are pursuing "360" degree deals where they get paid a % of all an artist's revenue streams.

Re: Indie Record Label Economics

Quest The Wordsmith — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 12:44:38 -0000

Hey, quick question. What about paid shows? I'm part of a Hip-Hop duo that's looking to sign to a local indie label. If a gig is willing to pay us $500 to perform locally, how does that work with an indie label? Or do indie labels strictly get paid solely off of CD sales? Thanks so much!

Re: Indie Record Label Economics

David Rose — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 14:47:34 -0000

Yes, $16,000 in manufacturing expenses would imply that the label is anticipating to sell around 16,000 physical units of the CD. Since most bands / artists have a track record of digital sales at this point in time each will have a history and trend of physical to digital sales. The label would look at the individual artists physical and digital sales history to estimate approximately how many units they can expect for both formats. This estimation definitely varies by specific artist and genre.

Re: Indie Record Label Economics

David Rose — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 14:41:29 -0000

Hey Coldbeats - Thanks for the comments!

I think, in general, there will be a continued decrease in the dollar amount of advances for indie bands / musicians. Even though costs of recording, manufacturing and distribution have dropped considerably, so has the average revenue per unit the label can expect once the record is released.

Making a profit on an indie release is very difficult. The transition from CD's ($16 avg gross revenue) to individual track downloads ($1 avg gross revenue per track) to streaming (pennies per stream) will force labels to spend less on new releases as they try to find a way to turn a profit. On average I would wager that revenue for a new release is falling faster than the costs so there most likely isn't much savings to pass along.

Re: Indie Record Label Economics

Coldbeats — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 00:16:26 -0000

Hi again, one more question: What were the expected sales figures for the above mentioned example, roughly? Assuming $16,000 manufacturing expenses, respectively roughly 16,000 pressed CDs, the expected sales (digital and physical) could have been around 30,000 units? Just trying to guess ... Cheers!

Re: Indie Record Label Economics

Coldbeats — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 20:03:59 -0000

Hi David, great post and figures. Thank you very much, I will mention them in my thesis.

Some questions:

1. Would you say advanced payments decreased over the last 10-15 years in the indie sector? If so at what rate roughly?

2. Marketing and manufacturing are the 2 biggest items on your list. Assuming that very soon (respectively already) the entire distribution chain will be digital only, those costs strongly decrease. Where do you think these saving will end up? What are the consequences from the labels perspective? More expenses on advertising and touring? Signing more artists?

Thanks again!
Pete

Re: What Indie Musicians Should Know About Physical Distribution

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