The Cost of Doing Business
When releasing your own CD, every penny counts. While working out your budget, you should take a good look at the various costs side by side so you can decide where it might be worth spending more and where you can cut back. For example, the scope of your release will determine how much you spend on CD pressing and advertising. Or, if you already have a Web site and can update it yourself, you can cut that cost out of your budget. Also bear in mind that the costs listed here are for releasing a CD. Depending on your sales goals and how much of your income is dependent upon your music, you may need to factor in the recurring costs of running a music-related business such as accountant fees, business cards, promotional items, insurance, and so on.
Incurred Cost Low End High End
Fictitious Business Name Statement $25 $50
Business License $20 $200
Reseller's Permit $0 $200
Office Supplies $10 $30
Accounting Software $30 $90
Mastering $0 $600
Copywriting $100 $400
Photography $350 $500
Graphic Design for Disc $0 $400
CD Manufacturing $1,200 $1,500
UPC Code $0 $750
Copyrighting Sound Recording $30 $30
Press Kit Supplies $180 $200
Phone and Postage $175 $200
Web Site $0 $1,000
Advertising $300 $1,200
Total: $2,420 $7,350
