Comments on: Ben Taylor on Tour – Says Pay What You Want For My CDs, Sells More http://www.pampelmoose.com/2009/02/ben-taylor-on-tour-says-pay-what-you-want-for-my-cds-sells-more music . media . web. culture Wed, 18 Jan 2012 02:16:05 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: GuitarTam http://www.pampelmoose.com/2009/02/ben-taylor-on-tour-says-pay-what-you-want-for-my-cds-sells-more/comment-page-1#comment-175915 GuitarTam Mon, 11 Jul 2011 15:38:32 +0000 http://www.pampelmoose.com/mspeaks/?p=2006#comment-175915 Thanks for the article Dave, I have not been convinced that new/emerging artists can increase sales by the "name your price" model. Sure it worked for Radiohead (they have a massive following. Ben does have good music, AND the added benefit to being the offspring of a very famous pop couple (from my generation), doesn't hurt that he looks AND sounds like his dad. These things aside, The thing that is getting traction is giving some control, to your fans and creating new ways to engage with the individuals who want to spend money on your work.. I encourage clients to utilize technology to create artist bundles- ie: flash drives, Bjork's latest record is utilizing a iPhone app to create a interactive experience with her fans. Whether it's a fun little game, perhaps a interactive video, or create your own mash ups, that help you as a artist reinforce your brand. If you have no idea how to make that happen, you can easily find a creative business consultant / strategist to help you. Living in the SF bay area so near Silicon Valley it seems to me like the ideal musical collaboration. Shake things up people, get your fans talking, but be strategic about it, music fans are ready for something NEW & EXCITING, it's time to give it to them! Cheers, =Tamra= "Providing business strategies for creative minds" Thanks for the article Dave,
I have not been convinced that new/emerging artists can increase sales by the “name your price” model.
Sure it worked for Radiohead (they have a massive following.
Ben does have good music, AND the added benefit to being the offspring of a very famous pop couple (from my generation), doesn’t hurt that he looks AND sounds like his dad. These things aside, The thing that is getting traction is
giving some control, to your fans and creating new ways to engage with the individuals who want to spend money on your work.. I encourage clients to utilize technology to create artist bundles- ie: flash drives, Bjork’s latest record is utilizing a iPhone app to create a interactive experience with her fans. Whether it’s a fun little game, perhaps a interactive video, or create your own mash ups, that help you as a artist reinforce your brand. If you have no idea how to make that happen, you can easily find a creative business consultant / strategist to help you.
Living in the SF bay area so near Silicon Valley it seems to me like the ideal musical collaboration.
Shake things up people, get your fans talking, but be strategic about it, music fans are ready for something NEW & EXCITING, it’s time to give it to them!

Cheers,

=Tamra=
“Providing business strategies for creative minds”

]]> By: Want to stop the decline of music sales? Then do this | Pampelmoose by Dave Allen of Gang of Four http://www.pampelmoose.com/2009/02/ben-taylor-on-tour-says-pay-what-you-want-for-my-cds-sells-more/comment-page-1#comment-175858 Want to stop the decline of music sales? Then do this | Pampelmoose by Dave Allen of Gang of Four Sun, 10 Jul 2011 18:46:44 +0000 http://www.pampelmoose.com/mspeaks/?p=2006#comment-175858 [...] Another weak argument amongst the comments is the usual “well they’re big artists already so of course they can do that.” That is defeatism pure and simple. My original point is that by adding value you provide more reason for someone to purchase your music, you can most likely increase your margin on the sale, and you will also most likely benefit from word of mouth and further purchases from a satisfied fan. It may be as simple as deciding not to press CDs but to press vinyl instead and sell the record with a coupon to download free MP3s. It may be that if you have CDs for sale at your concerts you don’t put a price on them and you accept whatever the fan can afford to pay. Don’t take my word for it, ask this relatively unknown band – it works. Ben Taylor, on tour, did it and he sold way more. [...] [...] Another weak argument amongst the comments is the usual “well they’re big artists already so of course they can do that.” That is defeatism pure and simple. My original point is that by adding value you provide more reason for someone to purchase your music, you can most likely increase your margin on the sale, and you will also most likely benefit from word of mouth and further purchases from a satisfied fan. It may be as simple as deciding not to press CDs but to press vinyl instead and sell the record with a coupon to download free MP3s. It may be that if you have CDs for sale at your concerts you don’t put a price on them and you accept whatever the fan can afford to pay. Don’t take my word for it, ask this relatively unknown band – it works. Ben Taylor, on tour, did it and he sold way more. [...]

]]> By: LIVE@LEEDS http://www.pampelmoose.com/2009/02/ben-taylor-on-tour-says-pay-what-you-want-for-my-cds-sells-more/comment-page-1#comment-159139 LIVE@LEEDS Wed, 30 Dec 2009 02:57:38 +0000 http://www.pampelmoose.com/mspeaks/?p=2006#comment-159139 [...] notion of making money from CD sales through record labels and concentrate on making money from the experiential awareness that surrounds their brand; a brand they own, no one else. The downside to this for musicians is that they need to get [...] [...] notion of making money from CD sales through record labels and concentrate on making money from the experiential awareness that surrounds their brand; a brand they own, no one else. The downside to this for musicians is that they need to get [...]

]]> By: Betsy Grant http://www.pampelmoose.com/2009/02/ben-taylor-on-tour-says-pay-what-you-want-for-my-cds-sells-more/comment-page-1#comment-159023 Betsy Grant Thu, 17 Dec 2009 06:00:32 +0000 http://www.pampelmoose.com/mspeaks/?p=2006#comment-159023 Sounds to me like people just like your music. Good for you! The best to you. Betsy Grant Sounds to me like people just like your music. Good for you!

The best to you.
Betsy Grant

]]> By: Shafted ARTist -know your enemy » Blog Archive » Here’s an Idea… You tell me the price http://www.pampelmoose.com/2009/02/ben-taylor-on-tour-says-pay-what-you-want-for-my-cds-sells-more/comment-page-1#comment-136188 Shafted ARTist -know your enemy » Blog Archive » Here’s an Idea… You tell me the price Sat, 04 Apr 2009 04:57:49 +0000 http://www.pampelmoose.com/mspeaks/?p=2006#comment-136188 [...] like this value proposition is starting to filter into the lower levels of bands. The question is… how long will this [...] [...] like this value proposition is starting to filter into the lower levels of bands. The question is… how long will this [...]

]]> By: Michael http://www.pampelmoose.com/2009/02/ben-taylor-on-tour-says-pay-what-you-want-for-my-cds-sells-more/comment-page-1#comment-135739 Michael Wed, 01 Apr 2009 20:24:34 +0000 http://www.pampelmoose.com/mspeaks/?p=2006#comment-135739 @joe White Stripes already did it. They released USB drives that an artist friend of theirs created in each members' likeness that had the full album, art, videos and extras for around $15 I believe. They only made so many and they sold out instantly from what I hear. That's where the innovation factor will play a key role in the future. And that's why I don't want to see CDs go away as many claim they will, including the big industry execs. It just doesn't make sense. Baseball cards, die cast models, and all other kinds of collectibles aren't disappearing, they just aren't heard of much because of their staple significance in their respective area of interest. When people who control content realize that it's not the content that should be valued but those things that appear around the content pays homage or makes it easier to access, then we will see the true potential of not only art, but business as well. @joe

White Stripes already did it. They released USB drives that an artist friend of theirs created in each members’ likeness that had the full album, art, videos and extras for around $15 I believe. They only made so many and they sold out instantly from what I hear.

That’s where the innovation factor will play a key role in the future. And that’s why I don’t want to see CDs go away as many claim they will, including the big industry execs. It just doesn’t make sense. Baseball cards, die cast models, and all other kinds of collectibles aren’t disappearing, they just aren’t heard of much because of their staple significance in their respective area of interest.

When people who control content realize that it’s not the content that should be valued but those things that appear around the content pays homage or makes it easier to access, then we will see the true potential of not only art, but business as well.

]]> By: Anna Schmitt http://www.pampelmoose.com/2009/02/ben-taylor-on-tour-says-pay-what-you-want-for-my-cds-sells-more/comment-page-1#comment-135052 Anna Schmitt Sun, 29 Mar 2009 16:19:05 +0000 http://www.pampelmoose.com/mspeaks/?p=2006#comment-135052 hi ben taylor i have not seen you in like 4years im 9 years old now and wanted to know when your playing in CT mystic i want to see you soon hi ben taylor i have not seen you in like 4years
im 9 years old now and wanted to know
when your playing in CT mystic
i want to see you soon

]]> By: Joe Wallace http://www.pampelmoose.com/2009/02/ben-taylor-on-tour-says-pay-what-you-want-for-my-cds-sells-more/comment-page-1#comment-128904 Joe Wallace Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:17:29 +0000 http://www.pampelmoose.com/mspeaks/?p=2006#comment-128904 I have to agree with Dave in a different way--if the CD price issue were as dire as Joe says, vinyl never would have suffered--fact is, the technology is becoming a moot point--if the consumers let it. MP3s are cheaper true--but also EASIER TO CONSUME. Not so five years ago, but today, yes. HOW people consume music is just as important as price point and that's the real issue here, methinks. If the shiny disc is to survive, it needs to offer something to music buyers that MP3s don't--and one of those things would be "Set your own price". Yes, you can also do that digitally, but you can't put an MP3 in somebody's hands at a show--and people LOVE nostalgia items. That's why folks pay the markup for those expensive high-profile band shirts--not cuz they just loved Skinny Puppy or whoever. Now the genius who starts selling jam-packed flash drives full of band videos, unreleased trax and video blog entries at their shows? THAT person is going to really up the ante. I have to agree with Dave in a different way–if the CD price issue were as dire as Joe says, vinyl never would have suffered–fact is, the technology is becoming a moot point–if the consumers let it. MP3s are cheaper true–but also EASIER TO CONSUME. Not so five years ago, but today, yes. HOW people consume music is just as important as price point and that’s the real issue here, methinks.

If the shiny disc is to survive, it needs to offer something to music buyers that MP3s don’t–and one of those things would be “Set your own price”. Yes, you can also do that digitally, but you can’t put an MP3 in somebody’s hands at a show–and people LOVE nostalgia items. That’s why folks pay the markup for those expensive high-profile band shirts–not cuz they just loved Skinny Puppy or whoever.

Now the genius who starts selling jam-packed flash drives full of band videos, unreleased trax and video blog entries at their shows? THAT person is going to really up the ante.

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