Like a broken record, we’ve said it again and again here at Unified just how important it is for your music marketing strategy to come up with awesome merch items.
Aside from music sales, it’s basically the second best way for you to earn money as an indie musician. But what if we we take it a step further. What if instead of just letting them purchase your merch when you’re on tour or just posting your items on your website, what if we offer them something monthly through a monthly music subscription box? Subscription boxes are so hot right now because we all want to receive a surprise in the mail. It’s also easier for you to earn because once a fan signs up, you won’t have to convince them again and again. You not have repeat monthly customers (or supporters, whatever suits you).
If you want to give it a try for your music marketing, here are the steps in making subscription boxes:
1. Come up with cool merch items that you can price for $30 or less.
2. Market it.
3. Assemble the box.
4. Put add-ons like a special note.
5. Ship them to your fans.
Repeat.
Looks simple but this may be more tedious than you think. Coming up with just one merch item takes a lot of work, coming up with a set of merch items every single month (not to mention marketing them) is like stepping on a treadmill and never leaving. But if you team up with us, we can make things much easier for you and your music marketing crew. We can manufacture, assemble, and ship your subscription boxes so you can relax while you earn. Another tip is to have it per quarter. Send one box to your subscribers every 3 months instead of every month to test the market and so you won’t be drained.
To give you more inspiration, here are some subscription boxes we love:
1. The Music Box
What’s in the box: themed music items as well as 2+ CDs from genres like rock, atl/indie, pop rock, punk, and hard rock.
2. Vinyl Record Subscription (VNYL)
What’s in the box: 3 hand-picked vinyls from popular artists. Different genre and theme each month.
3. Vinyl Moon
What’s inside the box: A monthly vinyl mixtape box that features 10 up and coming artists as well as unique art jackets and inserts.
4. Mosh Boxx
What’s inside the box: Get a Heavy Rock themed box filled with t-shirts, apparel, stickers, and more. Plus, you have the option to choose between vinyl or CDs.
5. The Era of EDM Crate
What’s inside the box: With this crate, you’ll get apparel, gadgets, and accessories for raves and EDM festivals.
Aren’t they awesome?
Get in touch with us so we can brainstorm your first subscription box!
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James Hill is a veteran of the music industry. He first worked at Warner Reprise Records then later joined Interscope/ Geffen Records where he managed producers and songwriters and got his first platinum record for Keyshia Cole’s The Way It Is. He is now helping indie artists with branding and manufacturing through his company Unified Manufacturing, a CD/DVD/vinyl and merch company in LA.
