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Is Original Music still a Viable Online Market?

by edmltw
9 replies
I'm recently more into the composing scene where i create my original music and attempt to sell the MP3 tracks on it online.

But i hit a roadblock.

If i advertise it on Youtube as a music video, people would just use Youtube as a medium to listen to my songs.

If i advertise on similar online audio platforms, the same thing occurs.

I consulted my friends offline, and they all told me the same thing, if you can get it for free, why pay?

Even though one original track is cheaper than any IM-related eBooks here, people don't see the point in purchasing an original soundtrack if they can access it for free.

But i do not advertise it online, my marketing range will be really restricted.

I deal in all sorts of Pop music. Ranging from Acoustic pop ballads, to purely electronic Hip Hop tracks, to acoustic ambiance music.

Do you have any suggestions that I could consider adapting?

Ed
#market #music #online #original #viable
  • Profile picture of the author stoltingmediagroup
    I quickly checked out your main site and had a listen to a few youtube videos. It appears you have enough talent in songwriting, vocal wise and also on guitar, thus this is not going to be an issue. The challenge is how to market yourself, and what to market yourself as. There are as you know thousands of services online both free and paid that can be of help to a person marketing their music online. Many artists do several different things online, and not just focus on building a fan base and selling CD's. The next step for you is to decide on how you can monetize all of your skills, I.E. guitar playing (think fiverr gigs and other sites), and also composing and submitting to independent movies etc in order to get your music out there. I would not necessarily suggest that your main focus should be on being the "touring recording artist" who sells his music "full time", but it should surely be something you should continue to strive for, no matter what your friends tell you.
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    • Profile picture of the author edmltw
      First of all,

      Thanks for taking some time off to check out my content, and I really appreciate your compliments!

      Back to business:

      The marketing point of view has always been a issue for me. I wanted to market myself as a "Musician", but it was too general and I realize that people wanted "Specialized Musicians" with different expertise instead of a "Jack-of-all-trades" guy. I checked around online and I realized there are also tons of people out there attempting the exact model i'm using. I need to break out of the shell, but I do not want to put my shoes into the novel factor. Or is that a necessary step to take?

      Regarding the issue of monetizing, I like your ideas. I might start offering such services. Just a question though, do you think anyone still purchases royalty-free music for online marketing purposes?

      Lastly, thanks again, for taking some time to review my stuffs. I really, really appreciate it!

      Originally Posted by stoltingmediagroup View Post

      I quickly checked out your main site and had a listen to a few youtube videos. It appears you have enough talent in songwriting, vocal wise and also on guitar, thus this is not going to be an issue. The challenge is how to market yourself, and what to market yourself as. There are as you know thousands of services online both free and paid that can be of help to a person marketing their music online. Many artists do several different things online, and not just focus on building a fan base and selling CD's. The next step for you is to decide on how you can monetize all of your skills, I.E. guitar playing (think fiverr gigs and other sites), and also composing and submitting to independent movies etc in order to get your music out there. I would not necessarily suggest that your main focus should be on being the "touring recording artist" who sells his music "full time", but it should surely be something you should continue to strive for, no matter what your friends tell you.
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      • Profile picture of the author stoltingmediagroup
        Originally Posted by edmltw View Post

        do you think anyone still purchases royalty-free music for online marketing purposes?
        We actually sell such product. Background Music and Sound Effects for people to use in their video productions. However, much of our productions are rhythm and beat driven. Whereas yours could be more acoustical for the videos that are more toned down, etc. So yes, there's a market for it. You would simply need to create enough tracks, and set up a sales page to promote and sell your music as background music.
        Signature
        Arnold Stolting - Stolting Media Group
        "I LOVE The Song! The Vibe Is Positive And Firm!" - Kymani Marley. (Son of Bob Marley).
        "Very High Quality!" Jeremy Harding - Manager / Producer. Sean Paul.
        "They Are FANTASTIC!" - Willie Crawford.
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        • Profile picture of the author edmltw
          I see!

          So, a little more emphasis on acoustic background music will be a more viable approach for an online market? I got the gist. Thanks for the tip!!

          Appreciate it!!
          Ed

          Originally Posted by stoltingmediagroup View Post

          We actually sell such product. Background Music and Sound Effects for people to use in their video productions. However, much of our productions are rhythm and beat driven. Whereas yours could be more acoustical for the videos that are more toned down, etc. So yes, there's a market for it. You would simply need to create enough tracks, and set up a sales page to promote and sell your music as background music.
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          • Profile picture of the author stoltingmediagroup
            Originally Posted by edmltw View Post

            I see! So, a little more emphasis on acoustic background music will be a more viable approach for an online market? I got the gist. Thanks for the tip!! Appreciate it!!
            Ed
            Yes do what you do best, and what you are most passionate about. If playing guitar and composing melodies is something that you would do for love and as a hobby anyways, then once people start to pay you for it, then you will have found the holy grail of jobs. Which is something millions of folks aspire to do, but never pursue.
            Signature
            Arnold Stolting - Stolting Media Group
            "I LOVE The Song! The Vibe Is Positive And Firm!" - Kymani Marley. (Son of Bob Marley).
            "Very High Quality!" Jeremy Harding - Manager / Producer. Sean Paul.
            "They Are FANTASTIC!" - Willie Crawford.
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  • Profile picture of the author drewfioravanti
    The only money in music is in selling the experience. Whether that be live performances, or teaching someone else to aquire the skill.

    Of course there are exceptions to the rule, but you would need a top 10 hit selling at $0.99 a pop to actually make money on recorded sales alone.
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    • Profile picture of the author edmltw
      So basically, your idea is that the big, sustainable income for the music industry to focus on offline businesses, and put off the online aspect until i come out with a top 10 hit?

      Regards,
      Ed

      Originally Posted by drewfioravanti View Post

      The only money in music is in selling the experience. Whether that be live performances, or teaching someone else to aquire the skill.

      Of course there are exceptions to the rule, but you would need a top 10 hit selling at $0.99 a pop to actually make money on recorded sales alone.
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  • Profile picture of the author Snowclone
    Have you tried reaching out to Filmmakers? I used to run a filmmaking website and we regularly had composer advertisers who did seemingly well (they kept paying!)
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  • Profile picture of the author Elvis Michael
    Awesome talent, man.

    Regarding YouTube, how about uploading a compilation of continuous samples? The trick is to not give the entire track away, but rather just enough to get people hooked. This could eliminate the whole "listening to the entire track for free" issue.

    Aside from YouTube, you can upload the same sample tracks to different music/audio-selling websites with a spoken message in the end, advertising your website and/or services. More tracks + more websites could equal a steadily growing fan base. This could eventually attract people in need of your services.
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