How to Get Your Album Ready for Retail
You’ve just spent a great deal of time, effort and money into producing your CD. Whether it’s your first time or you’re a veteran in the music industry, you’ll be well aware of the late nights in the recording studio and those hours spent in front of a blank page trying to write up lyrics. While the process is long, it is rewarding. But unfortunately, it’s not the end of the road. Now, your CD has to be sold. And though you may be a skilful and adept musician or producer, you don’t know much about how to market your album and get it ready to be sold in stores. Take a look at the post for some direction in this aspect.
What do retailers look for with CDs?
Undoubtedly, you won’t be getting your album into retail if you don’t have the full package. By this, I don’t mean dreamy looks as well as a good singing voice. You need to have all of your marketing elements and promotion methods in place and on the run well before you attempt to sell an album in stores. Retailers want to know that they’re not just selling any old record with no traction or fan base. This is not to say that you should be a popular sensation already, but a substantial amount of work should already be done. Get your band or act into local gigs, make your music downloadable on online networks such as Sound Cloud or iTunes. Have a few press releases, radio interviews and actively engaged social media sites under your belt. The main thing to remember is that retailers are looking to make a profit off your album too, and so it’s extremely helpful to present your CD in a way that screams ‘money-maker’.
Artwork and cover
Your artwork cover for your CD should already be in place when taking your album to retail for selling. However, if you are still in the process of design, take note of a few crucial tips. Make sure you’ve chosen an ideal panel and layout for your album, and if need be, hire a designer for the entire process. Although this will take a few bucks out of your budget, it’s definitely going to benefit you in the long run in terms of high professionalism and creativity. Also ensure that you’ve purchased a barcode for CDs - usually a UPC or EAN barcode. Without a barcode for music album - a crucial step that’s often forgotten - retailers won’t be able to accept and sell your product in their stores. Go to companies such as GS1, SA Barcodes or Buy Barcode to make your purchases. Once you’ve implemented all of these aspects into design, you’re ready to take your CD for duplication and choosing a jewel casing for your packaging will be your best bet for making your CD ready for retail.
Marketing elements for the retailer
As discussed earlier in this post, maximising on your marketing to make your album buyable to retailers is essential. To elaborate a bit more on this, besides touring and promoting your music, make sure you’re aiming to build a relationship with your intended retailer. A good relationship could result in prominent locations for your album to be sold in store. It could also mean the store playing your music during operating hours – creating a higher potential for customers finding out about your CD. Retail managers may also allow you to promote upcoming tours and gigs on posters in the store. Having your name, brand, sound and event in multiple aspects and mediums within a store can greatly increase your chances of making sales – leaving both you and your retailer happy.
Remember, a well marketed album is not only beneficial with helping to get your CD into stores, it’s also an essential aspect of encouraging customers to purchase your music after it’s there. Promotion and visibility is crucial in getting your sound out there – it’s half of the job of making music. Your sound could be the most relevant and trend-setting there is, but unless enough people know about it, you’re likely to be among the list of one hit wonders. Musicians need to focus on putting themselves out there by any means possible. And you’ll notice the ripple effect as your popularity increases. One gig leads to the next, one sale leads to another, and so on. Of course, keep bringing your A-game vocally and musically, but make sure you do enough to promote yourself to retailers and listeners, too.
Image via:
http://diymusician.cdbaby.com/2012/03/11-reasons-why-musicians-have-it-good-or-at-least-better-than-some/
Undoubtedly, you won’t be getting your album into retail if you don’t have the full package. By this, I don’t mean dreamy looks as well as a good singing voice. You need to have all of your marketing elements and promotion methods in place and on the run well before you attempt to sell an album in stores. Retailers want to know that they’re not just selling any old record with no traction or fan base. This is not to say that you should be a popular sensation already, but a substantial amount of work should already be done. Get your band or act into local gigs, make your music downloadable on online networks such as Sound Cloud or iTunes. Have a few press releases, radio interviews and actively engaged social media sites under your belt. The main thing to remember is that retailers are looking to make a profit off your album too, and so it’s extremely helpful to present your CD in a way that screams ‘money-maker’.
Artwork and cover
Your artwork cover for your CD should already be in place when taking your album to retail for selling. However, if you are still in the process of design, take note of a few crucial tips. Make sure you’ve chosen an ideal panel and layout for your album, and if need be, hire a designer for the entire process. Although this will take a few bucks out of your budget, it’s definitely going to benefit you in the long run in terms of high professionalism and creativity. Also ensure that you’ve purchased a barcode for CDs - usually a UPC or EAN barcode. Without a barcode for music album - a crucial step that’s often forgotten - retailers won’t be able to accept and sell your product in their stores. Go to companies such as GS1, SA Barcodes or Buy Barcode to make your purchases. Once you’ve implemented all of these aspects into design, you’re ready to take your CD for duplication and choosing a jewel casing for your packaging will be your best bet for making your CD ready for retail.
Marketing elements for the retailer
As discussed earlier in this post, maximising on your marketing to make your album buyable to retailers is essential. To elaborate a bit more on this, besides touring and promoting your music, make sure you’re aiming to build a relationship with your intended retailer. A good relationship could result in prominent locations for your album to be sold in store. It could also mean the store playing your music during operating hours – creating a higher potential for customers finding out about your CD. Retail managers may also allow you to promote upcoming tours and gigs on posters in the store. Having your name, brand, sound and event in multiple aspects and mediums within a store can greatly increase your chances of making sales – leaving both you and your retailer happy.
Remember, a well marketed album is not only beneficial with helping to get your CD into stores, it’s also an essential aspect of encouraging customers to purchase your music after it’s there. Promotion and visibility is crucial in getting your sound out there – it’s half of the job of making music. Your sound could be the most relevant and trend-setting there is, but unless enough people know about it, you’re likely to be among the list of one hit wonders. Musicians need to focus on putting themselves out there by any means possible. And you’ll notice the ripple effect as your popularity increases. One gig leads to the next, one sale leads to another, and so on. Of course, keep bringing your A-game vocally and musically, but make sure you do enough to promote yourself to retailers and listeners, too.
Image via:
http://diymusician.cdbaby.com/2012/03/11-reasons-why-musicians-have-it-good-or-at-least-better-than-some/