7 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
7 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Music, IM and Web 2.0

by magnon
6 replies
Hi Warriors,

I'm new to the IM game, and have only really begun reading about the (vast) amounts of ways to make money online. Really is quite overwhelming!

Anyway, I thought I would ask if any of you experts out there think there is any mileage in making money from high-quality music in an IM capacity? I've noticed that more and more marketers are embracing web 2.0 tools on their sites.

Well, I'm a music producer and compose music for TV docs here in Scotland and I've also had a couple of tracks licensed by Disney. The crux is, I'm looking for new markets to tap into, but as yet, have no real idea how to enter into IM from a music angle. I also know Flash quite well, and can embed and sync music/audio in Flash files, videos etc

The bottom line is that I love making music, and want to find a way to monetize that in between my contracts for TV and other licenses, so that I have a more steady income stream - although I do realise it could never be wholly predictable.

So, do you think there is a market for licensing music in an IM capacity?

Any ideas?

Thanks.
#music #web
  • Profile picture of the author SurviveUnemployment
    Are you looking to license music to IMers for their own sites or sell downloads? If you're looking to license to IM people you should look at sites like iStockPhoto.com -- you can sell videos, and I think music there. I've heard of people doing very well with it.
    Signature

    The best link-building strategy you never heard of...

    Article Spinning Is Not a Crime    !

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1345555].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Irishman
    Not 100% sure I understand exactly what you "do" but thought I would throw out a couple of thoughts in the hopes it sparks a thought.

    If you "create" original music:
    One of the fastest growing trends online is video due to the increasing bandwidth adoption globally... people are able to stream it better. With that said, from an IM perspective, many article marketers and offline marketers create videos for their promotions which can be nicely "upgraded" with the correct background music tracks.

    Due to (c) laws, there is currently a market for selling background music tracks rights. You could potentially enter via that angle if the music is right for it and serve the IM niche for rights to your original music.

    Just a thought.

    Best,

    Will
    Signature
    1) #1 RESOURCE FOR LEARNING FB ADS--> "Brilliant! Invaluable Monthly Report"
    2) WSO--> Offline Special Ops -"A Stroke of Genius" {SOLD OUT!}
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1345572].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author magnon
    Thanks. Yeah, I do write and produce my own music. I will look into the istockphoto idea. That might be the easiest route to selling to IMers.

    Will, I'm a bit unsure of the ramifications of selling the copyright to a.n other. I am also currently searching for a publishing deal, so this may scupper that. It could potentially mean that I only get a one-off payment, whilst someone else could profit indefinitely from my music - if I'm thinking rightly about that.

    I could also provide bespoke music to IMers, but maybe istock is a good place to start...
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1345605].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Jill Carpenter
      Rights to music that can be used for commercial purpose on the web for IM'ers are always in demand.

      I do video work, and have used bits from Ginny Culp (she has wso's and produces music).

      She actually just zipped out an email for a membership site that allows users to take/use samples - and some sound like spoken articles as well.

      If you are looking to create residual income, this may be the way to go.

      You can charge members a monthly fee, and deliver some new materials monthly. You can decide the rights to this music - IE: may not be resold but can be used to create projects for yourself or used in a piece you create for someone else.

      Something like a members site, you can offer 20 new tracks a month for $20 a month (as an example) and then it is a matter of figuring out how many members you will need to make your monthly quota.

      Tracks can be stored in a private members area for download, or links to the files to download can be easily stored on your host where you can set up an autoresponder to go out to members that alerts them when new music samples have been added or are available.

      The whole thing can be time released, so if someone joins a month after the others, they start with the first months materials.
      Signature

      "May I have ten thousand marbles, please?"

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1345647].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author St Croix
    In my opinon mate, you're entering IM with a dying niche in mind.

    The major labels are going broke, music is now essentially free online and trying to make it with original music / publishing deals, synch etc. is going to be a downward spiral. Believe me, I started IM in the same boat while signed to a major with a shelved record.

    You will make more money online in another niche that has 'buyers' instead of 'freeloaders'

    Having said that....

    If you want to sell your original music online, I would suggest creating royalty free backing tracks for instructional video. You know, the funky "b'boom boom chic" type stuff that can sound good with an IM'er talking up his/her product in the foreground. You could crate an array of backing tracks and sell them as a WSO to internet marketers here in Warrior forums.

    If you want to make it as an artist, I have some pretty slick methods for doing this online.

    As a producer, this is honestly my best advice as to how to monetize original music.

    Peace.
    Signature

    Back in the game!

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1345639].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author magnon
    St Croix, I hear what you're saying that's why I'm looking at alternative ways to earn cash. I'm trying to find ways to make money from music which is difficult right now. Are you suggesting ditching the music angle and looking at other niches?

    I'm also finishing a 2nd album and looking for ways to help that along, and what you say sounds interesting re: your online methods for promotion. I'm always open to new partnerships on that front!

    I would keep the background music seperate to that venture.

    Jill, I have thought about the membership site, and it's something I'd really need to investigate to get it all up and running, as I don't have the knowledge for that quite yet. Any good links for solid info on how to do that?

    Thanks again guys.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1345706].message }}

Trending Topics