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Pricing A Unique Gift

by mwright
10 replies
How much should I charge for a personalized music service?

I've been creating personal music tracks for friends based on music they like.

Though, I've seen something similar for around $30, I would probably charge from $50 to $5000 depending on the amount and quality of work involved.

Ideas?
#gift #music #pricing #unique
  • Profile picture of the author Isaiah Coe
    When it comes to entertainment (music), it really depends on what people are willing to pay. Now a days it's really easy to get any song you want for free. So people usually tend not to pay for music, unless it's for movies/tv show/performance. Unless you have a strong brand and they have been following you for a while.

    But you should price it whatever that you feel is right.
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    • Profile picture of the author mwright
      Originally Posted by Isaiah Coe View Post

      When it comes to entertainment (music), it really depends on what people are willing to pay. Now a days it's really easy to get any song you want for free. So people usually tend not to pay for music, unless it's for movies/tv show/performance. Unless you have a strong brand and they have been following you for a while.

      But you should price it whatever that you feel is right.
      My sense is that I should price it as high as I can stomach, but offer a discount code to see how many people will use it.

      Or maybe I could have a product launch at whatever price, but have a "pre-launch" sale price.

      Just thinkin'.
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  • Profile picture of the author KenJ
    I looked into this exact market about three years ago. I found that most of the cheap song writing services, were just versions of existing songs with the names changed to fit the current person.
    I wanted to offer personally written songs that were unique. But the amount of time and effort this takes made the pricing way too high.
    I also looked into the Wedding market. I thought that most husbands would think it was a great idea to write a song for their bride. But my price of £600 (Underpriced even then) was way too high for the wedding planning companies to even consider recommending me. There is also the issue of people wanting a live performance at the wedding.
    I still have it in mind to write songs for others that are "one offs". In fact I do this already for family and friends. But to make it a business is very difficult.

    KenJ
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    • Profile picture of the author mwright
      Originally Posted by KenJ View Post

      I looked into this exact market about three years ago. I found that most of the cheap song writing services, were just versions of existing songs with the names changed to fit the current person.
      I wanted to offer personally written songs that were unique. But the amount of time and effort this takes made the pricing way too high.
      I also looked into the Wedding market. I thought that most husbands would think it was a great idea to write a song for their bride. But my price of £600 (Underpriced even then) was way too high for the wedding planning companies to even consider recommending me. There is also the issue of people wanting a live performance at the wedding.
      I still have it in mind to write songs for others that are "one offs". In fact I do this already for family and friends. But to make it a business is very difficult.

      KenJ
      Luckily, I came up with a relatively quick way of producing something that most people would enjoy.

      I only do instrumentals, and I have a sort of "algorithm" for writing catchy melodies and filling them out with chords. Plus, I'm a jazz player so coming up with melodies is pretty easy.

      With current technology, I can whip out a completed piece in about 15 - 30 minutes. If I charged $50-$100, I'd be doing pretty well.

      But, as you said, the trick is turning it into a business.
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    • Profile picture of the author mwright
      Originally Posted by KenJ View Post

      I looked into this exact market about three years ago. I found that most of the cheap song writing services, were just versions of existing songs with the names changed to fit the current person.
      I wanted to offer personally written songs that were unique. But the amount of time and effort this takes made the pricing way too high.
      I also looked into the Wedding market. I thought that most husbands would think it was a great idea to write a song for their bride. But my price of £600 (Underpriced even then) was way too high for the wedding planning companies to even consider recommending me. There is also the issue of people wanting a live performance at the wedding.
      I still have it in mind to write songs for others that are "one offs". In fact I do this already for family and friends. But to make it a business is very difficult.

      KenJ
      BTW - What would you normally provide for £600? I mean in terms of arrangement (piano, voice, guitar, etc...).

      And, what were some of the cheap song writing services and prices you came across? I saw one that did "rewrites", like you mentioned.
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  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    I would charge $100... your friends will possibly play your music at a club, get noticed by some scouts, then start banking with their own record deal (it could happen). If you're good at what you do, dont work for free. Friends or no friends.
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    • Profile picture of the author mwright
      Originally Posted by Randall Magwood View Post

      I would charge $100... your friends will possibly play your music at a club, get noticed by some scouts, then start banking with their own record deal (it could happen). If you're good at what you do, dont work for free. Friends or no friends.
      You read my mind! I actually worked out a couple of price levels, $50 or $100, depending on the complexity of the music. And, thanks for coming up with the idea of people getting record deals using my music... that's another selling point!
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    • Profile picture of the author 11811
      Originally Posted by Randall Magwood View Post

      If you're good at what you do, dont work for free. Friends or no friends.
      Great advice
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      Life Is What You Make It.
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  • Profile picture of the author twinkenterprises
    It depends how much work you put into it. Maybe you can do a deal depending on how many songs you do.
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    • Profile picture of the author mwright
      Originally Posted by twinkenterprises View Post

      It depends how much work you put into it. Maybe you can do a deal depending on how many songs you do.
      I actually work pretty fast; 15 - 30 minutes for a piece. And, a bulk discount would be great for some customers.
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