Distributing a CD

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JamesBond

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Hi ALL:

I'm hoping to have my first CD completed later this summer and want to put it in stores. First of all I am in Canada and have done some research and found there is a few stores that will carry my CD Canada wide.
Does anyone know other ways to get your CD in the stores besides getting signed? I'm sure many musician/writers out there write very good songs and I just think everyone should be able to be "heard".
 
There are a few online CD stores that will carry it but they will take a nice chunk of the profit.
 
JamesBond said:
Does anyone know other ways to get your CD in the stores besides getting signed? I'm sure many musician/writers out there write very good songs and I just think everyone should be able to be "heard".
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You're dreaming......... local stores will carry a handful of CDs by local artists - so they may buy several from you "at cost" - usually 7-10 dollars... but that's about it.

CD distribution companies pay for shelf space at the CD stores, so you can bet that unless you have several hundred thousand to throw at marketing - or you get signed and the label pays the marketing - "you ain't getting a piece of the shelf!"

You're pretty much stuck with the "local artist" bin at the very back of the store, behind the closet!
 
Don't want to sound negative, but as Blue BEar said, don't expect too much.

If you really want to get out of the open with the Cd, get as much press attention as you get! ppl and espececially stores have to know you, nobody buys a Cd of an artist they have never heared off. Get some publicity, no matter how (dance around naked in your street, I don't care...)!

Further, another way to convince some stores is the priniciple or 'consignation': you ask them to put your record on their shelves without you ask them to buy it. You just offer to come back several months later to see if they are sold. If so, they pay you the Cd price minus their profit, other way you take the Cd back. But even with that system, it ain't gonna be easy...
 
Very useful information, I guess I'll just have to be "creative" and come up with a plan! (is there anythign we musicians can't do????)
 
What about this idea

Tell me if you have tried this but...
Why not make 500 singles with your 2 best tunes. Make a professional looking cover and jewl case complete with bio and web address. Next be social with as many people as possible. If you see someone who you think would like your music slip them a free single. If they like the music they may visit your website and purchase the full length album from you or amazon.com or something. Of course they might just take it home and throw it in the garbage.
 
Excellent idea tjohnston!
That idea takes me by the when you could go to the loca record store and buy a 45 with one song on each side!!

Bands would release their singles and then in a few months their album would follow. I would surmise this same approach might be worth a try!
 
Another thing publicity-wise is to ask people for reviews of your cd. I'm not sure how the newspapers work in Canada, but down here the local paper will review your cd and if it's good enough, they'll publish their review. A few online sites offer reviews of indie cd's also, you've just gotta find them. Some radio stations will also play local music, but most will not. You've just got to see what your area has to offer....
 
You have got to get your music into the ears of potential buyers. Whether it's live gigs, for free at the local park if you have to, or have a local DJ as a friend who might can get you some air time, or whatever you can do to get your music out to as many people as possible. You might even get all your friends to go to the record shops and ask for it either by the band's name or by the CD's title, generate the intrest, chances it wont generate much unless you get out there and hustle it. It never hurts to pass out copies to club owners/managers (this could also land you a few gigs) Another idea is to hook up with a charity orginization, you play some benefit gigs for them and in return they help promote your music. Hell man send me a copy, I'll tie all my friends down and make them listen to it over and over till they buy a copy.
 
Go To www.indiepool.com

THey will list your cd in the HMV database along with a few other stores so if anyone wants the cd they just order it from them. Is this ur 1st cd?? If so do u have enuff funds and promotion to have it stocked Canada wide??? Maybe your tryin to go to big too fast, work your area 1st
 
indiepool

Great thanks for the site!! Went there but the links don't seem to working.
 
You gotta click info on the left hand side of the page not the underlined words on the main page.
 
You know what fuck that. Here is what you should do. Spend a few days burning thousands of cds. Put them in plastic slip cases. Next print up a few thousand leaflets with your info on them. Next rent a hellicopter or hot air balloon and drop the shit all over the city during rush hour. There you have it: publicity, press, distrubution. What more could you ask for?
 
don't forget the cops coming to your house to give you the $5000 fine for littering
 
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