album, e.p. or single?

  • Thread starter Thread starter dr.colossus
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dr.colossus

dr.colossus

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my band wants to put together a product to sell at gigs and use as promo etc... we have enough original material for an album, but someone made the comment that people are reluctant to buy albums at gigs because it requires too much "commitment" on the listeners behalf, and some how i tend to agree... any how here are my marketing options as i see them (note prices are a rough guide only, to be treated as relative values)

2 e.p.s each with say 6 songs for say $8each or both for $12

1 album 12 songs for $12 and a single with two album songs and an accoustic version of another for $5

i like the idea of having two simultaneous products available but i don't know which way to go... personally i like the dual e.p. idea which if proves popular could later be joined to make an album, i just don't know... any ideas or experiences would be nice
 
I would go with the two eps. I released a single once, and it sold like shit. THe ep's that I have released outsold it by a longshot. However, I really think that if you can swing it, selling an LP for about $8-10 is your best bet.

Pressing two ep's at once is more expensive and doesn't seem worth it. If you do go the ep route, I'd condense the matrerial into one really strong ep with your best stuff. But, if you really want two products available, press two eps. I think I'm talking in circles.
 
An LP with 10 songs would be fine. Save the EP's for promo's. You dont need many of those.
Just my 2 cents...
Myx
 
make it clean & easy. I was once at a gig where they were offereing a 10 song CD and an ep with some of the songs that were also on the CD. I really didn't know which one to take. I liked the band enuf that I would have taken both if there had been no overlap. If a lot of customers feel that way you will slow down the selling process and sell less product in the end. Also, generally I prefer to by an album rather than a CD. (In fact, I have never bough an EP CD - its something I would only buy if I really really liked a group)
 
Doc,

I feel the dual EP option would be the safer choice, however, if you are pricing them at $8.00 Aust each, then I would consider taking the price for both up to $14.00 rather than $12.00.

This is also dependant on how well known the band is, what it's reputation is like and to some degree, on the style of music and variety within the songs you use.

I reckon you just gotta suck it and see.



:cool:
 
the e.p's would defenatly have different tracks to each other, with perhaps an accoustic versionof the more most popular song on each crossing over to the other, kinda as a "bonus track"... the hope is to later combine the two e.p.s into an album...

ausrock we'd probably go $10ausd each and $18 for both, i just put in the lower figures so i wouldn't get any confused americans accidently telling me the price is to high :)
 
Any marketing person will tell you to keep the proposition a simple as possible. Especially when you're selling CD's at a gig - somebody would have to keep repeating explanations of what is what; I'd definitely go for one disc only.

The promo CD would be a different matter - you'd be giving it away free and three tracks is plenty.
 
If you're just looking for something to sell at shows, most people usually want at least ten songs. I'd say put your best ten on there and sell it for $10.

But if you want to shop it, I'd put all of your money into your best three songs. In this case, it's better to leave them wanting more and give them less not to like.
 
Forget multiple cd's the more choices the more confusion. You also have to consider why are you selling cd's at your gigs? Are you trying to make extra money or extra fans? Cd's are cheap, you could tell the club to add an extra $2.00 for cover charge and give everyone at the show a free cd. That would make alot of fans happy. You wouldn't make very much money, if any, but think of the PR possibilities?

I don't think anyone is going to pay "store bought cd money" for a local bands cd at a gig. You better make it as cheap as possible for them to get your cd. What I would do is put 3-4 of your hottest tunes on a cd and sell THIS cd ONLY at gigs. Tell the crowd it's a special cd for live fans only. Sell it for peanuts, $5.00 each or less. Make it a full dollar amount so the transaction is a no brainer and no change required. :)

Save your real CD for stores and online sales. At gigs you're trying to appeal to their impulsive side.
 
My take

Almost anybody who genuinely likes your band will just as easily spend a little more money for a full-length album. If you have to price your product extremely low to get your fans to buy it you've got problems. you might sell a few more eps than you would full-length albums because of a lower price. But your true fans will be happier with spending more money and having more of your music.

Tucci
www.locuststreettaxi.com
Horns, Harmony, & Humor
 
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