Wednesday
Jan182012
• My album is done. Now what?
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 7:26PM 
Several days ago, I came home from work to a stack of boxes piled high in front of my door. My 1000 CDs had arrived from OasisCD. I was not elated. I simply sighed, resigning myself to the fact that I would have to carry them all up the stairs. There was no blog post.
It was not supposed to be this way.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m over the moon about having made my first album, it’s just that the whole process has been so fraught with errors of my own making and a slow but steady awakening to the realities of the music business today, that my joy, at this point, is pretty much counterbalanced by my sense of hopelessness.
I do not know what to do next. Obviously, I will release the album and I know my goal: to be heard. I don’t really care about making any money. Yet. I just want to know that this music that holds my heart and soul will hold more than just a few people’s attention. If only for the time it takes them to “needle hop” the album, to give it a chance. But how?
This is pathetic, really. I’ve been in advertising for 20 years, I’ve written campaigns that have run globally, I’ve come up with ideas that have changed the way companies think about what they do, I have debated with the CEOs of billion dollar corporations, but I do not know how to get the word out about my album.
Bob Lefsetz crows about the new musical landscape in which only great catches on. The days of mediocre ruling the roost are over. Not sure this is true, but I do agree that great music spreads. People share it. So if I can get my music into the hands of influential people (tastemakers famous and unknown) AND they like it, I should gain a bit of traction. Again, though, how?
Facebook? Twitter? Maybe. Jango, I guess. But is there a better way? A way I have not heard of? If anyone out there has ideas, please let me know. I’m plotting my release plan now, so I am ALL ears. Thank you in advance for any thinking you do on this!
It was not supposed to be this way.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m over the moon about having made my first album, it’s just that the whole process has been so fraught with errors of my own making and a slow but steady awakening to the realities of the music business today, that my joy, at this point, is pretty much counterbalanced by my sense of hopelessness.
I do not know what to do next. Obviously, I will release the album and I know my goal: to be heard. I don’t really care about making any money. Yet. I just want to know that this music that holds my heart and soul will hold more than just a few people’s attention. If only for the time it takes them to “needle hop” the album, to give it a chance. But how?
This is pathetic, really. I’ve been in advertising for 20 years, I’ve written campaigns that have run globally, I’ve come up with ideas that have changed the way companies think about what they do, I have debated with the CEOs of billion dollar corporations, but I do not know how to get the word out about my album.
Bob Lefsetz crows about the new musical landscape in which only great catches on. The days of mediocre ruling the roost are over. Not sure this is true, but I do agree that great music spreads. People share it. So if I can get my music into the hands of influential people (tastemakers famous and unknown) AND they like it, I should gain a bit of traction. Again, though, how?
Facebook? Twitter? Maybe. Jango, I guess. But is there a better way? A way I have not heard of? If anyone out there has ideas, please let me know. I’m plotting my release plan now, so I am ALL ears. Thank you in advance for any thinking you do on this!
Reader Comments (8)
Congrats, Jeff. A big milestone, actually getting the physical CDs. Take a moment to feel good about yourself. It's been a long road, but a good journey. As for getting something going, this - what you're doing right now, talking to friends - is a good start. If word of mouth is so important (and of course, it is), you start that process with telling your friends. You'll get there. Just take your time, and have faith.
Jeff - we've chatted about this more than a few times. I seem to remember telling you that the day your CDs arrived, this is how you'd feel. We creative souls actually enjoy the process more than the hard work;-) I know from your recent posts you are already deep into recording new songs - I also know only too well the sense that the CD you now have piled in your house feels like a piece of the past. Getting psyched up to sell the past is extremely difficult in ways that only players not listeners understand.
OK, that said, you did it! Be proud.
My suggestion is the same as always: recognize that most people support their CDs by playing live and that most are vocalists. You are a songwriter/producer and have said you will not be performing in support of your disc. So your approach will be - or should be - geared to this reality.
Therefore I think that getting your CD to people who place songs in TV shows and movies should be your top priority - you should be checking out every opportunity at sites like Sonicbids.com or Taxi.com. Taxi has a premium level membership (I forget what they call it) that may we worthwhile for you.
The problem you face on sites like Jango is that with different vocalists on different tracks how do people know it's you? Not to say they won't like all the songs - you just have a bit of a musical identity issue which I'm suggesting you embrace and do things a little differently.
In other words, be cautious of the advice you are asking for - it will often be advice applicable to performers, not songwriters.
We can talk more offline anytime if you want to hear about what has worked for me and what hasn't over the last 6 years of trying to sell music!
I'm looking forward to hearing your album. No matter how you feel right now, I know how much of you is on those discs!
First off - congrats! This is a big deal, to go from "almost done" to really, truly "done". That's awesome!
I will send one to my friend in Nashville on your behalf. You never know what may come of it...
Tom, thank you. I'll give you a copy next time we have lunch!
Cory, it does feel good, just been a long road. Would love to know what The Man in Nashville thinks!
Keep an eye on your mailbox, will be sending you a few copies.
Jeff:
Huge accomplishment. Long time and effort commitment. Hope it's a success, but more importantly, hope it leaves you with fulfillment and a sense of possibilities.
Edward, thank you for the note. The album does feel good and I can't wait to do another!
Wise words, Dave, thanks. I think I'll follow that advice myself, when my own album is done. Which, likely, will occur in the next several years, give or take.
Congratulations. Your response is understandable, but I hope you get a little bit of joy from holding one CD in your hands and looking at it.
If it makes you feel better, I do graphic design (mostly book covers/interiors) for a living, and I've procrastinated making my own business cards for months. It's hard to promote your own stuff.