Everyone’s streaming so why spend hundreds of dollars when you can sell your music without the risk of losing lots of money? Making CDs cost a lot of money and requires a lot of time-and yes, the reports show that the CD format will not last long- but there are plenty of advantages of making CDs and replicating CDs.
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The CD legitimizes you as a musician
What some musicians lack today is confidence to have long-term career goals. Maybe it’s because of the fact that it’s quite easier to become a musician now than before- you just have one,two songs and a website, voila! –you’re now an indie musician. Their motto is this: the lesser the effort, the lesser the disappointment. Maybe it’s also because they do not think it can feed them and would always just look at it as an outlet or ‘hobby’.
But for those of you who are serious about having a CAREER in music, then the CD is the best way to go. The CD will set you apart from the millions of musicians sprouting like mushrooms on the internet today. Having a CD is saying that you’re serious about pursuing your music career. It means that you have confidence in your talent because you’re willing to invest on it.
The CD helps create your Image/Brand
Your CD will be displayed in Walmart and DVD stores. Your CD will be reviewed by magazines and blogs. Your CD will be in the houses of those who will buy it. This is a great opportunity for you to build your image. You have lots of panels and pages to put your personality and indirectly sell yourself. Your artwork, copy, and packaging concept should help create your image and personality as a musician.
You’ll get more attention from press if you have a CD
If you want to be taken seriously by the press and if you want your songs played on the radio, then you better prepare your CDs. Radio promoters are going to ask for a physical product to send to radio. You have to have something packaged up with a spine to send out to hundreds of radio stations out in the country, not download cards or links to your sites.
You might be able to send some digital downloads but you certainly can’t send them all digital download cards. It’s unprofessional. The larger the station, the more you get to compete with other bands and the more you have to show them that you are an established band. Remember to create your package with a spine when dealing with radio. You don’t want your product to get lost on the shelf.
Tours
Who tours without a CD? For sure the many people who are impressed by your music would want to purchase your stuff right away. They look all over the crowded place for your booth and there’s no CD! Que horror. Not only do you lose the chance of getting a few dollars, but you also might have turned off some of those new fans. Sure you can give them download cards but we both agree it is still nothing compared to the real thing, right?
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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 duplication, DVD, vinyl pressing and merch company in LA.
