Which Quarter Is Best?

  • Thread starter Thread starter gullyjewelz
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gullyjewelz

gullyjewelz

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Has anyone done any research to find out if one quarter is better than another quarter - when releasing an indie cd/artist?
Any one know what major label artists are always "slated" for a particular quarter?
 
Yo Jewelz, that's definitely something that you want to be aware of. I know Jay used to be Mr. 4th quarter, but now he's "temporarily retired". I'd say be mindful of the summer, and the holidays. Artist like to drop when they think people have more disposable income. In the summer kids are out of school, and a lot of'em get summer jobs, and around the holidays people are just in a spending mood. I would definitely keep checking the label websites for release dates of thier major artist. Good post home boi.

Check out my "Target Marketing Info" post
 
This would make a cool research project/sticky if we could plot (maybe in an excel file?) the artist, album #, album title, release date, quarter... Thoughts?

The Wikipedia would make the perfect research tool for this!

P.S. I didn't know Reasonable Doubt was released in June (click link).. Cool
 
That link was helpful....and just looking over a few major artist (Snoop, Mary J, Nelly, Jay-Z, Puff, Big, Pac) about 85% of their releases were either summer, or late fourth quarter.
 
And the research you did saves us needing to plot it.... lol... :cool:
 
Murdock Jones said:
Now pay me smart azz :D
Click to expand...

By the way.. I checked out your page... Some hot beats man... I like the way the first verse transitions into the chorus on "Time To See".... Reminds me of some Talib Kweli trax....
 
good research, good answer

(feel like family feud . . . survey says . . . )
 
peritus said:
Lol.. Sorry if I come off that way man...
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It's all good, I was joking too.
Appreciate you checking my music, thanx
 
Good topic fellahs..! From my expercince, summer has been a difficult time to release, promote and do shows. But thats jus for my home state, Im sure bigger populated areas my be more easier. I'd put money on a fall release either way. Especially if you do rap music and plan to use college campuses for your promotion. During the summer college students go back home and there are lot of city/state events you have to compete with as fas as getting ppl to shows to promote your music. Jus my two cents..

PM
 
Go with whatever works best in your city.
For instance, my city is home to "Rhythm and booms", the midwest's largest fireworks show. The poplution of my city, which is around 300,000, doubles on the weekend of the show. and everyone gathers in one little area, its flooded with people. so Summer is the best time here. I plan to go out this July with a packpack full of CDs to sell/give away that weekend.
 
I Just read through this thread again, and thought about it more...
I think we might be going in the wrong direction.
I don't think looking at what quarter major label artists release material would be helpful to people of our level.

For instance, Maybe most of Jay-Z's album sales came through BestBuy,
His label would look at BestBuys highest selling season for rap music, and factor that in to when they drop his album.
Non (well most) of us dont have our albums in BestBuy, so our info would be skewed. I think we should look at this with a more direct appraoch.

For instance...
If most of your album sales come through online distributors, I think Winter would be the best time to promote the album. Because more people stay indoors during the winter and do things like, brows the internet.

If you have a college campus in your city, Fall would be a good time because the students are just returning and arnt dreading being there yet.
etc etc...

I dont think theres any 'magic' time. I think it's best if you factor in all the variables in YOUR situation, and brainstorm times you would be most likely to get people to buy your album.
 
good point!!!!!! its good to weigh in on a topic like this though - it gets people's minds goin about HOW TO MARKET!!!!
 
ethos, ya got some good points..

"Non (well most) of us dont have our albums in BestBuy, so our info would be skewed. I think we should look at this with a more direct appraoch."

Thats good point too! I would assume its hard to promote an album when a major is putting out theres, at the same time it could start a vibe as well, lol, its hard to tell, sucks being independent sometimes. We've also ran into scheduling shows the same date/weekend bigger artists would come threw as well (unless we had crew member opening for em), thats something to think about too..
 
PMJ said:
ran into scheduling shows the same date/weekend bigger artists would come threw ..
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MY BIGGEST DEFEAT IN 2004 WAS THE RELEASE PARTY I PLANNED WAS ALL "GO" FOR LIKE 2 1/2 MONTHS . . . THEN A WEEK AND A HALF BEFORE THE NIGHT OF THE SHOW . . . ROCAFELLA CAME TO TOWN . . . . SHIT!!!!!!!!!!
 
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