With MySpace acquiring iLike, this leaves music enthusiast, such as myself, wondering; what does this mean for the future of music? As more and more platforms are created for music artists to upload and distribute their music; how will MySpace compete in the online music market? With artists finding new outlets in droves; what sites and features are attracting them to upload and distribute their music?
A couple of weeks ago, I stumbled upon a site called Bandcamp. Bandcamp is a FREE publishing platform that gives bands an opportunity to host their music in ways that most platforms have yet to offer. Below are some of the highlight features that Bandcamp offers:
Various Formats (FLAC, Apple Lossless, ACC, Ogg Vorbis, etc.)
I’m sure you’ve heard the term “Superior Sound” from some of Patchwerk’s elite. Most sites offer only MP3 downloads. If you know like I know, MP3's are of low quality sound. Giving your fans the option to select from various formats to download gives you a more worldly appeal.
Name-your-price Downloads
If you have read my article, “
Free Is Dead”, you know that there is a debate over the issue of artists giving away their music for free to attract more fans. Trent Reznor, frontman for the NIN (Nine-Inch-Nails) released the band's album, Ghost I-IV, using a tiered model, where fans received more music, content, and memorabilia as they paid more. The “name-your-price” option puts you in the driver seat to determine your music’s worth.
Download Codes
Do you want to stand out from your counterparts in the music industry? I feel that having download codes personalizes the music experience for most fans. Instead of allowing anyone to download your music, giving fans their own download code will possibly open the doors for future purchases. I’ve always stressed that artists should begin building better relationships with their fans. Offering download codes can also help to build your mailing list, which is another important factor for artists.
Search Engine Optimized
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is perhaps the most talked about subject when it comes to marketing online. With most music sites, you will have to hire a pro or DIY (Do-It-Yourself) to optimize your presence online. With Bandcamp, they handle the SEO mumbo jumbo for you.
Sell in (Just About) Any Currency
With international markets emerging and most being exposed to the world wide web, it would be a wise decision to not only attract fans overseas, but to include them in the purchasing process. With Bandcamp, you can price your goods in US Dollars, Pounds, Sterling, Canadian Dollars, Euros, Australian Dollars, Israeli New Sheqels or any of 12 other currencies.
Creative Commons Integration
Are you familiar with
Creative Commons (CC)? We’re all familiar with the © (All Rights Reserved) symbol. Well, with the Creative Commons licenses you’re able to give fans permission to download and share your content. Bandcamp integrates with the CC imprint to give your fans the freedom to do what they want with your work of art.
Those were some of the top features on Bandcamp that I felt stood out. For more info about the other features, click here.
Bandcamp is revolutionary in its attempt to give artists and bands a user-friendly platform to upload and distribute their music, as well as allow them to concentrate on their music while they (Bandcamp) handles the technical aspects of running their site. I encourage artists and bands to begin exploring and experimenting with new concepts, platforms, and models because in this Information/Digital Age you have to be highly innovative and distinct to gain attention, which generates revenue.
Below is an introduction video from the Bandcamp site:
For all of you “Golden Era” Hip Hop fans, I found something on Bandcamp that you may like:
Click Here
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