M
Mega8
New member
Dang....it IS music..........haha, I was thinking he was being a tipster, and reverse phychology was making me think it wasnt worth it and then i went and it was just music, how strange this web is. You never know what you are going to get, and from reading this can you decide which I was wanting it to be rather than which I was thinking it was going to be........?
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lotuscent
New member
I read a blurb about them in TapOp - it sounds like a cool idea.
I would definitely support it and I am actually in the process of submitting files to them. Given the slight complexity of the system (and no patience on the part of music leeches), I hesitate to predict its huge success, but I think it's a step in the right direction.
It pays artists and anybody who helps distribute the music. That's cool.
I think every independent musician should try and support this concept.
no labels!!!
I would definitely support it and I am actually in the process of submitting files to them. Given the slight complexity of the system (and no patience on the part of music leeches), I hesitate to predict its huge success, but I think it's a step in the right direction.
It pays artists and anybody who helps distribute the music. That's cool.
I think every independent musician should try and support this concept.
no labels!!!
ChristopherM
New member
I read about it in EQ magazine. I'm an avid magazine reader and haven't seen ads for this service in any other type of magazine. Internet searches for keyword "weedshare" bring very few results, mostly to the Weedshare website. I have to wonder about whether or not it will be a big success if it's only advertised to other musicians.
Being the type of person who believes it is better to have your music on a site rather than not, I checked it out anyway. I must say the process turned me off a bit. I emailed asking about joining and uploading and they told me to "download their software" and "check it out" and if I liked what I saw, they'd "match me to an independent content producer." Sounded a little car-salesman-like to me.
No offense to car salesmen here, but if I ask a question, I like to get an answer, not a sales pitch. Also, I don't like the idea of "downloading software" to listen to a damned MP3! Maybe they are on-the-level, but the requirement to "download software" makes me skeptical. I might still do it, but I haven't gotten around to it yet.
Being the type of person who believes it is better to have your music on a site rather than not, I checked it out anyway. I must say the process turned me off a bit. I emailed asking about joining and uploading and they told me to "download their software" and "check it out" and if I liked what I saw, they'd "match me to an independent content producer." Sounded a little car-salesman-like to me.
No offense to car salesmen here, but if I ask a question, I like to get an answer, not a sales pitch. Also, I don't like the idea of "downloading software" to listen to a damned MP3! Maybe they are on-the-level, but the requirement to "download software" makes me skeptical. I might still do it, but I haven't gotten around to it yet.
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lotuscent
New member
ChristopherM said:
I hear where you are coming from. I bet this idea could be streamlined, provided they get enough support to survive. I like the concept so much that I am willing to ride it out and try to make it work so these folks can continually improve it.
Think about it - anybody who likes your tunes can actually get paid for distributing your stuff - and you get half... if this can grow into a substantial web infratstructure... we win.
I don't see how the artist can lose out except for the time taken to deal with the process... I'm willing to burn a little time to support it.
I don't work for them BTW
ChristopherM
New member
Yeah...EQ magazine actually compared them to Amway 
I dunno...maybe I'll write them again tonight. As long as it doesn't cost me anything. I get an average of an email a week from a "record company" or "agent" or "distribution service" that will get my music to "top A&R people" or "thousands of potential fans" or whatever. All they want from me is a small non-refundable fee and a non-returnable supply of my CD. I'm kinda jaded now.
I dunno...maybe I'll write them again tonight. As long as it doesn't cost me anything. I get an average of an email a week from a "record company" or "agent" or "distribution service" that will get my music to "top A&R people" or "thousands of potential fans" or whatever. All they want from me is a small non-refundable fee and a non-returnable supply of my CD. I'm kinda jaded now.
Chris Shaeffer
Peavey ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I really like the idea, actually. I saw the review in EQ and looked them up on the web.
The download is just their accounting system- it links to your Weed account (which pays into and out of your paypal account) and gives you a very simple purchasing mechanism. Its less than a Meg and doesn't have any annoying ads or spyware. Its pretty straight up.
The sign up process was simple enough,- no worse than signing up for NoWhere- except that you need to have a paypal account for it to work. It creates one for you, but still, Weed users will have to be Paypal saavy. Still, there are *plenty* of internet saavy folks out there who will welcome this kind of thing. I know I do. I bought 2 songs so far that I really enjoy, so far, and kinda like the idea of doing at least a little to support the artist who made them.
I have an email into them to see about weedifying my own files- why not?! They have no ownership of content or rights- I can still sling about my unprotected mp3's as I wish. It just gives me a potential avenue for income at no risk.
I don't much care about the multilevel payment for sharing system, but there are plenty of folks who might. Fine! Let them share and push stuff on their friends- I'm happy with the 50% of each sale that could potentially reach all kinds of people that I never would have access to in any other way.
What's to lose?
All they're doing is giving you a Digital Rights Management enabled file that specifies who gets paid what when a file is sold and an interface to make purchases. I think its pretty slick, though I don't really like the name.
Take care,
Chris
Take care,
Chris
The download is just their accounting system- it links to your Weed account (which pays into and out of your paypal account) and gives you a very simple purchasing mechanism. Its less than a Meg and doesn't have any annoying ads or spyware. Its pretty straight up.
The sign up process was simple enough,- no worse than signing up for NoWhere- except that you need to have a paypal account for it to work. It creates one for you, but still, Weed users will have to be Paypal saavy. Still, there are *plenty* of internet saavy folks out there who will welcome this kind of thing. I know I do. I bought 2 songs so far that I really enjoy, so far, and kinda like the idea of doing at least a little to support the artist who made them.
I have an email into them to see about weedifying my own files- why not?! They have no ownership of content or rights- I can still sling about my unprotected mp3's as I wish. It just gives me a potential avenue for income at no risk.
I don't much care about the multilevel payment for sharing system, but there are plenty of folks who might. Fine! Let them share and push stuff on their friends- I'm happy with the 50% of each sale that could potentially reach all kinds of people that I never would have access to in any other way.
What's to lose?
All they're doing is giving you a Digital Rights Management enabled file that specifies who gets paid what when a file is sold and an interface to make purchases. I think its pretty slick, though I don't really like the name.
Take care,
Chris
Take care,
Chris
Chris Shaeffer
Peavey ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I would also note that this is a *very* new service and their system for dealing with new artists may not be fully streamlined. I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt over the next couple months and see if it gets any interest.
-C
-C
ChristopherM
New member
Chris Shaeffer said:All they're doing is giving you a Digital Rights Management enabled file that specifies who gets paid what when a file is sold and an interface to make purchases. I think its pretty slick, though I don't really like the name.
Yeah...the name instantly makes you think of something else.
Also...DRM files can only be played on Windows Media Player on a PC. Mac users are out of the loop, and you have to stray if you're a Winamp or RealPlayer user. Plus, some people might be kind of wary of the DRM idea. That being said, I did have something like 3000 people DRM one of my songs through Kazaa...too bad I had to get bent over the couch by Cornerband in the process.
ChristopherM
New member
OK. I've downloaded their software (which is just basically a DRM mechanism for them to keep track of what you listen to) and tried it out. There are some good songs there, although there seems to be a lack of content. I emailed them again to find out how to get my files "weedified" anyway. We'll see.
With the recent proliferation of iTunes, AOL's music service, and New Napster, along with the public's herd-mentality to be driven to buy whatever is popular, and the fact that nobody likes the idea of "Big Brother" watching what they download, I'm not sure if this site will take off or not. I DO like, however, that I don't have to compete with the likes of Eminem or John Mayer (MP3.com) and I don't have to pay anything.
Like I said before, it doesn't hurt to have your music on more than one site. Thing is, a lot of my tunes are available for free on Nowhereradio, Cornerband, Soundclick, etc. Isn't that true for most of us?
With the recent proliferation of iTunes, AOL's music service, and New Napster, along with the public's herd-mentality to be driven to buy whatever is popular, and the fact that nobody likes the idea of "Big Brother" watching what they download, I'm not sure if this site will take off or not. I DO like, however, that I don't have to compete with the likes of Eminem or John Mayer (MP3.com) and I don't have to pay anything.
Like I said before, it doesn't hurt to have your music on more than one site. Thing is, a lot of my tunes are available for free on Nowhereradio, Cornerband, Soundclick, etc. Isn't that true for most of us?
Chris Shaeffer
Peavey ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah, much of my material is up for free, but i've already been thinking about which songs I want to give away for free and which songs I want to have weedified. Its all a matter of how you want to present your material.
Here's my thoughts:
1) Give away the favorite song that everyone loves. 1 of them.
2) Weedify the rest of the songs on the CD and post free mp3 samples.
3) Post free mp3's of songs that aren't on CD or that are works in progress.
Or something like that. Just have to be conscious of what you are giving away and what you aren't.
I was also thinking about pricing the weed songs from the CD so that they add up to more than the CD. That way people can buy what they want OR they are encouraged to buy the physical CD.
Just some of my ideas. We'll see. I wasn't planning to post full MP3's of the tunes I'll have on CD anyway- now I can, and might just make a buck or 2 off of them.
Take care,
Chris
Here's my thoughts:
1) Give away the favorite song that everyone loves. 1 of them.
2) Weedify the rest of the songs on the CD and post free mp3 samples.
3) Post free mp3's of songs that aren't on CD or that are works in progress.
Or something like that. Just have to be conscious of what you are giving away and what you aren't.
I was also thinking about pricing the weed songs from the CD so that they add up to more than the CD. That way people can buy what they want OR they are encouraged to buy the physical CD.
Just some of my ideas. We'll see. I wasn't planning to post full MP3's of the tunes I'll have on CD anyway- now I can, and might just make a buck or 2 off of them.
Take care,
Chris
G
glynb
Balladeer
Difficult decision.
1) Give away the favorite song that everyone loves. 1 of them.
On the one hand if it's your most 'catchy' tune then people will like it and like you as an artist, so they may be prepared to pay for more. On the thother hand is it wise to give away a great tune?
2) Weedify the rest of the songs on the CD and post free mp3 samples.
So people one way or another can get to hear ALL of your CD for free if you adopt this strategy? If they like it enough they may buy as they know what they're getting, on the other hand why buy if you can get for free.
3) Post free mp3's of songs that aren't on CD or that are works in progress.
This is the one I'd really disagree with personaly. If you are serious about your work I don't think you should post a work in progress for general consumption. It's OK maybe to post it for a select group on here to get some feedback, but not to the general public. I personaly don't like to see people saying they have posted something and in the same breath appologise for the lack pof quality and the fact that it isn't really complete, etc. Not very professional in my opinion, unless as i said its for a select group of popelpe to offer assistance as happens here. But post a work in progress on MP3.com - not a good idea IMHO.
Like I said, not an easy one to call and once you've posted a tune, its out there and you can't turn back the clock!
1) Give away the favorite song that everyone loves. 1 of them.
On the one hand if it's your most 'catchy' tune then people will like it and like you as an artist, so they may be prepared to pay for more. On the thother hand is it wise to give away a great tune?
2) Weedify the rest of the songs on the CD and post free mp3 samples.
So people one way or another can get to hear ALL of your CD for free if you adopt this strategy? If they like it enough they may buy as they know what they're getting, on the other hand why buy if you can get for free.
3) Post free mp3's of songs that aren't on CD or that are works in progress.
This is the one I'd really disagree with personaly. If you are serious about your work I don't think you should post a work in progress for general consumption. It's OK maybe to post it for a select group on here to get some feedback, but not to the general public. I personaly don't like to see people saying they have posted something and in the same breath appologise for the lack pof quality and the fact that it isn't really complete, etc. Not very professional in my opinion, unless as i said its for a select group of popelpe to offer assistance as happens here. But post a work in progress on MP3.com - not a good idea IMHO.
Like I said, not an easy one to call and once you've posted a tune, its out there and you can't turn back the clock!
Chris Shaeffer
Peavey ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
glynb,
Good points. My thoughts are coming from the position that I'm *not* a well known artist, I do have one "well known" song that I'm happy to give away (why make people sign up and pay for the tune if its the only thing they're going to sign up for?), and most of the folks that I know are interested in my music will buy more songs. Most will want the CD anyway, so the the Weed stuff is just for people to:
A) Hear the whole tune before buying either the tune or the CD.
B) Hear the whole CD.
C) Support the Weed idea, which I like.
D) And to possibly catch any other folks I don't know of who might be interested. (I have a small niche market already, but I'm sure there are others would like the music if given a listen.)
I'm also so un-well-known that I'm sure I could pull the full tunes that I have up for free right now and they are unlikely to show up on any filesharing services. I'm not worried too worried about free versions being out there- and everything I've posted has been a work in progress, anyway, compared to the final versions (which I'm having professionally mixed and mastered.)
I dunno about the "professional" bit. True, if I was really a professional I might not post mixs for the Clinic, and I'd certainly never post them on my main web page, but I don't mind hving them out there. If I have "fans" who care enough to hunt down the link and follow the progress of a mix, then I'm doing well. I also don't want to assume professional aires just because I'm selling music. I don't mind letting people in a little if they want in. Just me, though.
I suppose I'd post the free song, the weed files and the sample mp3's (not full length) on my main page, and leave the works in progress and unreleased songs for my NoWhereRadio page.
Good discussion. A little tricky to figure out, isn't it: how to post muisc online, enjoy the potential of wide distribution, and *still* get paid for the sales of digial media?
Take care,
Chris
Good points. My thoughts are coming from the position that I'm *not* a well known artist, I do have one "well known" song that I'm happy to give away (why make people sign up and pay for the tune if its the only thing they're going to sign up for?), and most of the folks that I know are interested in my music will buy more songs. Most will want the CD anyway, so the the Weed stuff is just for people to:
A) Hear the whole tune before buying either the tune or the CD.
B) Hear the whole CD.
C) Support the Weed idea, which I like.
D) And to possibly catch any other folks I don't know of who might be interested. (I have a small niche market already, but I'm sure there are others would like the music if given a listen.)
I'm also so un-well-known that I'm sure I could pull the full tunes that I have up for free right now and they are unlikely to show up on any filesharing services. I'm not worried too worried about free versions being out there- and everything I've posted has been a work in progress, anyway, compared to the final versions (which I'm having professionally mixed and mastered.)
I dunno about the "professional" bit. True, if I was really a professional I might not post mixs for the Clinic, and I'd certainly never post them on my main web page, but I don't mind hving them out there. If I have "fans" who care enough to hunt down the link and follow the progress of a mix, then I'm doing well. I also don't want to assume professional aires just because I'm selling music. I don't mind letting people in a little if they want in. Just me, though.
I suppose I'd post the free song, the weed files and the sample mp3's (not full length) on my main page, and leave the works in progress and unreleased songs for my NoWhereRadio page.
Good discussion. A little tricky to figure out, isn't it: how to post muisc online, enjoy the potential of wide distribution, and *still* get paid for the sales of digial media?
Take care,
Chris
ChristopherM
New member
Well, two days and no return email about "weedifying" my files.
Chris Shaeffer
Peavey ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I sent an email to their "info" address (more likely to be checked than their "content" address). Then I sent a second one with an expectation of reply. I think I said "please respond at your earliest conveniece" or some such professional gobbledeegook.
They then responded within a day saying they had forwarded my email to the content person, and she then responded within a day, as well.
So far, so good. About what I'd expect for a startup, given that these folks are probably still doing other jobs for Weed's parent company.
At this point, I'm being connected to a producer- someone who weedifies files. I was asked where I lived and what style of music I was weedifying in order to facilitate the process. We'll see.
Take care,
Chris
They then responded within a day saying they had forwarded my email to the content person, and she then responded within a day, as well.
So far, so good. About what I'd expect for a startup, given that these folks are probably still doing other jobs for Weed's parent company.
At this point, I'm being connected to a producer- someone who weedifies files. I was asked where I lived and what style of music I was weedifying in order to facilitate the process. We'll see.
Take care,
Chris
L
lotuscent
New member
well - i got a response from weedshare and they put me in contact with a producer and asked me to submit all relevant info etc... it actually only took a day. now the problem is that i'm a mac user... can't use their software. I will have to get a way around that...
i still think its an idea worth supporting.
i will give it a shot.
i still think its an idea worth supporting.
i will give it a shot.
Chris Shaeffer
Peavey ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well now, here's an old thread.
I thought I'd bring it back up because I've been looking into them again. Here's the news:
1) They ARE still around. No mean feat, really.
2) They've announced that mac support will be in beta by the end of the month.
I've recently become one of their Independent Content Providers so I've seen a bit more of how they handle business. Over all I'm quite impressed.
Take care,
Chris
I thought I'd bring it back up because I've been looking into them again. Here's the news:
1) They ARE still around. No mean feat, really.
2) They've announced that mac support will be in beta by the end of the month.
I've recently become one of their Independent Content Providers so I've seen a bit more of how they handle business. Over all I'm quite impressed.
Take care,
Chris
tanlith
King of the Wicker People
Mama used to say the web was like a box of chocolates....