Comments on: Why You Should Never Give Out Your Music For Free http://www.independentmusicadvice.com/2012/01/why-you-should-never-give-out-your-music-for-free/ Who Needs A Record Label? Tue, 31 Jul 2012 00:17:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Shaun IMA http://www.independentmusicadvice.com/2012/01/why-you-should-never-give-out-your-music-for-free/comment-page-1/#comment-38838 Shaun IMA Sat, 18 Feb 2012 20:23:20 +0000 http://www.independentmusicadvice.com/?p=2464#comment-38838 Hi xuniap. I'm not implying that at all, it's important to make music that you're happy making and you enjoy. Having said that, if you want to make money from your music and gain more exposure, there are ways to go about giving it out for 'free'. As in you should exchange it for contact details, social shares, and the like. If people like your music, why wouldn't they want to help you out when they can? That way you'll get your music out there more, and people will get to hear you more. It's win win. Anyone that doesn't want to make money from their music, that's fine too. :) Hi xuniap. I’m not implying that at all, it’s important to make music that you’re happy making and you enjoy. Having said that, if you want to make money from your music and gain more exposure, there are ways to go about giving it out for ‘free’. As in you should exchange it for contact details, social shares, and the like. If people like your music, why wouldn’t they want to help you out when they can? That way you’ll get your music out there more, and people will get to hear you more. It’s win win. Anyone that doesn’t want to make money from their music, that’s fine too. :)

]]> By: xuniap http://www.independentmusicadvice.com/2012/01/why-you-should-never-give-out-your-music-for-free/comment-page-1/#comment-38774 xuniap Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:53:43 +0000 http://www.independentmusicadvice.com/?p=2464#comment-38774 While this article may apply and be useful to people who want to be successful in gaining money with their music, the "Who do you make your music for"-part greatly bugs me. It seems to me that you're promoting the notion that it's either making money with your music, or sing for yourself under the shower, which is a very superficial view on music in my opinion. I know there are a lot of artists who don't want to gain money with their work, but still want to reach people and convey a message. Just saying! :P While this article may apply and be useful to people who want to be successful in gaining money with their music, the “Who do you make your music for”-part greatly bugs me. It seems to me that you’re promoting the notion that it’s either making money with your music, or sing for yourself under the shower, which is a very superficial view on music in my opinion. I know there are a lot of artists who don’t want to gain money with their work, but still want to reach people and convey a message. Just saying! :P

]]> By: Shaun IMA http://www.independentmusicadvice.com/2012/01/why-you-should-never-give-out-your-music-for-free/comment-page-1/#comment-38722 Shaun IMA Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:12:44 +0000 http://www.independentmusicadvice.com/?p=2464#comment-38722 Hi Evan, great comment! Just for the record, the author's name is Shaun. I'm him.., hi. :) I just wanted to make one thing clear: Nothing in this article is set in stone. As with everything in life, there are always exceptions to the rule. Having said that, the points I make in this article are ones that I have seen to be true the majority of the time. Of course there are going to be people who do well by giving out 100% free music and their fans buying all of their albums later, but the majority of the time it doesn't work like this. The way I see it, if you have people buying your music, there will be people who will be able to get it for free anyway. There are people who buy every new CD out there solely for ripping it and putting it up for download on their site. Because of this, shared with the fact that people can view your videos for free / hear your songs for free if you get them on radio etc, you don't need to give anything out for nothing at all. Buy asking people to re-tweet / sign up to your mailing list to get your 'free' song, you are filtering out the serial downloaders (Read: People that don't ever pay for music). On top of that, you're getting the people who are more genuinely interested in you on your list. By all means give you music out for free if you feel the need to, but from what I've seen making it a mutually beneficial process works best. Hi Evan, great comment! Just for the record, the author’s name is Shaun. I’m him.., hi. :)

I just wanted to make one thing clear: Nothing in this article is set in stone. As with everything in life, there are always exceptions to the rule. Having said that, the points I make in this article are ones that I have seen to be true the majority of the time. Of course there are going to be people who do well by giving out 100% free music and their fans buying all of their albums later, but the majority of the time it doesn’t work like this.

The way I see it, if you have people buying your music, there will be people who will be able to get it for free anyway. There are people who buy every new CD out there solely for ripping it and putting it up for download on their site. Because of this, shared with the fact that people can view your videos for free / hear your songs for free if you get them on radio etc, you don’t need to give anything out for nothing at all.

Buy asking people to re-tweet / sign up to your mailing list to get your ‘free’ song, you are filtering out the serial downloaders (Read: People that don’t ever pay for music). On top of that, you’re getting the people who are more genuinely interested in you on your list.

By all means give you music out for free if you feel the need to, but from what I’ve seen making it a mutually beneficial process works best.

]]> By: Evan http://www.independentmusicadvice.com/2012/01/why-you-should-never-give-out-your-music-for-free/comment-page-1/#comment-38705 Evan Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:48:46 +0000 http://www.independentmusicadvice.com/?p=2464#comment-38705 I agree and disagree with much of this article. First of all, the author's definition of "free" is good. I don't believe in giving away music completely freely. As Jhonny said, I think giving an album in exchange for an email address is a great way to go. Besides, great bookings would be a very tangible "return" for free art, I think. The author says, giving out your music for free "Doesn't Make People Want To Listen To You Any More". I agree. It's the quality of your music that makes people want to listen to it, regardless of cost. If your record sucks, then charging more for it won't do you any good. On the other hand, if your record rocks, then people will listen whether free or fee. If your free music won over a fencepost fan who would not have purchased your music otherwise, then that person is 100% more likely to purchase any future music you create. The author says, giving out your music for free will make "People Come to Expect It". Maybe, maybe not. That's complete presumption. Having one free album available for download doesn't automatically make everyone expect you to give all your other albums away for free. Let's say you're releasing your 3rd album for purchase. Why not make your debut (1st) album a free download at the same time? It would likely generate extra buzz and draw fresh attention to your whole body of art. The author says, if you give your music away for free "You Will Have a Lower Perceived Value". Not if your free music is amazing. Just google Josh Garrels. The author says, if you give your music away for free "You Will Lose Money". Agree, IF you give ALL your music away for free. How about making it a freebie once it "breaks even"? Or if you have newer material available for purchase as I said above? The author says, if you give your music away for free "You Will Lose Motivation". That depends on (1) what your motives for making music are, and (2) if your music sucks. So, we all know that giving away everything one creates would be stupid, obviously. But free music is free music. And like millions of others are saying today, so too I say.. why not? I agree and disagree with much of this article.

First of all, the author’s definition of “free” is good. I don’t believe in giving away music completely freely. As Jhonny said, I think giving an album in exchange for an email address is a great way to go. Besides, great bookings would be a very tangible “return” for free art, I think.

The author says, giving out your music for free “Doesn’t Make People Want To Listen To You Any More”. I agree. It’s the quality of your music that makes people want to listen to it, regardless of cost. If your record sucks, then charging more for it won’t do you any good. On the other hand, if your record rocks, then people will listen whether free or fee. If your free music won over a fencepost fan who would not have purchased your music otherwise, then that person is 100% more likely to purchase any future music you create.

The author says, giving out your music for free will make “People Come to Expect It”. Maybe, maybe not. That’s complete presumption. Having one free album available for download doesn’t automatically make everyone expect you to give all your other albums away for free. Let’s say you’re releasing your 3rd album for purchase. Why not make your debut (1st) album a free download at the same time? It would likely generate extra buzz and draw fresh attention to your whole body of art.

The author says, if you give your music away for free “You Will Have a Lower Perceived Value”. Not if your free music is amazing. Just google Josh Garrels.

The author says, if you give your music away for free “You Will Lose Money”. Agree, IF you give ALL your music away for free. How about making it a freebie once it “breaks even”? Or if you have newer material available for purchase as I said above?

The author says, if you give your music away for free “You Will Lose Motivation”. That depends on (1) what your motives for making music are, and (2) if your music sucks.

So, we all know that giving away everything one creates would be stupid, obviously. But free music is free music. And like millions of others are saying today, so too I say.. why not?

]]> By: Shaun IMA http://www.independentmusicadvice.com/2012/01/why-you-should-never-give-out-your-music-for-free/comment-page-1/#comment-38689 Shaun IMA Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:33:05 +0000 http://www.independentmusicadvice.com/?p=2464#comment-38689 Jhonny, I couldn't agree more with the 'barrier' you should be putting between yourself and your fans. I think in some ways you should stay interactive with them (Talking on the FB page and tweets etc, as long as it doesn't take up all your time) but doing too much can ruin the way they see you. Like you said, people often 'worship' musicians. Giving them full access can upset the fan / musician balanace, and hinder your music career. I'd say keep a good relationship with fans, but make sure what people see most of from you is the good music. Just out of curiosity, what were you sending the people on your list? It is a strategy that does work, but sometimes it takes a few edits to you find a style of autoresponder that your fans want to hear about. I've got a case study of a good mailing list coming soon, so sign up and stay subscribed to be informed about when that comes out ;) Jhonny, I couldn’t agree more with the ‘barrier’ you should be putting between yourself and your fans. I think in some ways you should stay interactive with them (Talking on the FB page and tweets etc, as long as it doesn’t take up all your time) but doing too much can ruin the way they see you. Like you said, people often ‘worship’ musicians. Giving them full access can upset the fan / musician balanace, and hinder your music career.

I’d say keep a good relationship with fans, but make sure what people see most of from you is the good music.

Just out of curiosity, what were you sending the people on your list? It is a strategy that does work, but sometimes it takes a few edits to you find a style of autoresponder that your fans want to hear about. I’ve got a case study of a good mailing list coming soon, so sign up and stay subscribed to be informed about when that comes out ;)

]]> By: Jhonny Daemon http://www.independentmusicadvice.com/2012/01/why-you-should-never-give-out-your-music-for-free/comment-page-1/#comment-38688 Jhonny Daemon Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:15:52 +0000 http://www.independentmusicadvice.com/?p=2464#comment-38688 Here's my experience: I've given away music for free in exchange for email, that way I can build a list, but what were the reactions from the people I sent it to? Well at first, they were all ears, and actually requested it after hearing it on my youtube channel, but after I sent it, things got quiet. REAL quiet. Never heard from most of them again, and in my opinion it is because the performer/audience dynamic was violated. People worship musicians, and you very well can't worship someone who's another average everyday person like you, so you must maintain a barrier between you and your listeners. You can always stop by and comment on their channels, blogs, etc. but anything beyond professional and OCCASIONAL contact would be like that annoying guy who blogs about everything he does, all day long. Just my opinion, but I hope it helps. Here’s my experience: I’ve given away music for free in exchange for email, that way I can build a list, but what were the reactions from the people I sent it to?

Well at first, they were all ears, and actually requested it after hearing it on my youtube channel, but after I sent it, things got quiet. REAL quiet. Never heard from most of them again, and in my opinion it is because the performer/audience dynamic was violated.

People worship musicians, and you very well can’t worship someone who’s another average everyday person like you, so you must maintain a barrier between you and your listeners. You can always stop by and comment on their channels, blogs, etc. but anything beyond professional and OCCASIONAL contact would be like that annoying guy who blogs about everything he does, all day long. Just my opinion, but I hope it helps.

]]> By: Shaun IMA http://www.independentmusicadvice.com/2012/01/why-you-should-never-give-out-your-music-for-free/comment-page-1/#comment-38665 Shaun IMA Sun, 15 Jan 2012 12:28:51 +0000 http://www.independentmusicadvice.com/?p=2464#comment-38665 You make a good point Shep, and one that I do agree with. The methods that I suggest still aren't charging people for their music, but they are getting something in return. An email address, a share. In a way it puts up a small barrier for people, but a good one. A lot of people that download free music may listen to it once and never again. They just done it because it was there at the time, not because they have an interest in you. People that are willing to share your songs or give up their email address are more likely to become a proper fan, and not take your music for granted. People can still hear your music for free via Youtube videos and limited streams on your site, but if they want the full download they should have to either pay or compensate you in some other way. That's only fair considering you put the time, money and effort into making a song they could enjoy? You make a good point Shep, and one that I do agree with. The methods that I suggest still aren’t charging people for their music, but they are getting something in return. An email address, a share.

In a way it puts up a small barrier for people, but a good one. A lot of people that download free music may listen to it once and never again. They just done it because it was there at the time, not because they have an interest in you. People that are willing to share your songs or give up their email address are more likely to become a proper fan, and not take your music for granted.

People can still hear your music for free via Youtube videos and limited streams on your site, but if they want the full download they should have to either pay or compensate you in some other way. That’s only fair considering you put the time, money and effort into making a song they could enjoy?

]]> By: Shep http://www.independentmusicadvice.com/2012/01/why-you-should-never-give-out-your-music-for-free/comment-page-1/#comment-38643 Shep Sun, 08 Jan 2012 23:35:33 +0000 http://www.independentmusicadvice.com/?p=2464#comment-38643 This is an interesting article but I'm not sure I agree with it all. In today's world artists need to think differently and if that means giving some content away for free to monetise other content and revenue streams then there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Look at the freemium gaming market - 7 of the top 10 social games are all freemium and Zynga is now worth more than Electronic Arts! Artists should think about releasing their content in different 'windows' like a film of TV show - people will pay for exclusive or premium content. Artists must also look beyond recorded music and explore new and more creative revenue streams. I have started to write about this on my blog Disruptive Music - please read and share your thoughts. This is an interesting article but I’m not sure I agree with it all. In today’s world artists need to think differently and if that means giving some content away for free to monetise other content and revenue streams then there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Look at the freemium gaming market – 7 of the top 10 social games are all freemium and Zynga is now worth more than Electronic Arts! Artists should think about releasing their content in different ‘windows’ like a film of TV show – people will pay for exclusive or premium content. Artists must also look beyond recorded music and explore new and more creative revenue streams. I have started to write about this on my blog Disruptive Music – please read and share your thoughts.

]]> By: Shaun IMA http://www.independentmusicadvice.com/2012/01/why-you-should-never-give-out-your-music-for-free/comment-page-1/#comment-38639 Shaun IMA Sun, 08 Jan 2012 13:29:51 +0000 http://www.independentmusicadvice.com/?p=2464#comment-38639 You're not wrong there! ;) You’re not wrong there! ;)

]]> By: Anne http://www.independentmusicadvice.com/2012/01/why-you-should-never-give-out-your-music-for-free/comment-page-1/#comment-38634 Anne Sat, 07 Jan 2012 12:42:27 +0000 http://www.independentmusicadvice.com/?p=2464#comment-38634 Great advice. It's food for fight. ;-) Great advice. It’s food for fight. ;-)

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