Add Value to your product!

Want to increase your sales both on and offline?
Often you can do extra things to "Add Value" to your CD and increase it's overall appeal.
Let me share with you my personal story.
I'm primarily an instrumental recording artist who found a niche in the tourist/new age/relaxation market.
Bearing this in mind I began to think to myself what could I do to add appeal to my CD's that would increase my sales.
I knew that aromatherapy was a popular so I began to investigate ways in which I could incorporate this with my music.
Now one of the stores where I sell my albums is run by a couple that produces natural soaps
and is frequented by lots of tourists so I began to work with this couple who produced an essential oil sampler which is packaged with my CD (to enhance value of the CD).
The results?
A dramatic increase in sales for only a couple of extra dollars per Album.
You can also try adding video footage to your own albums, an ebook etc.
Use your creativity and don't be afraid to try new concepts - they can often work very well if done right.

Taxi Music- giving musos access to companies who sign record deals.

Taxi describes itself as "The world's leading independent Artist and Repetoire Company".
Since 1992 Taxi has specialized in givig artists, bands and songwriters real access to the people in the music business who have the power to sign deals.

Just Plain Folks

Just Plain Folks is a community of over 40,000 songwriters, Recording artists, Music publishers, Record Labels, Recording Studios and Engineers and just about every other type of member of the music industry.
An excellent place to visit for feedback, contacts and advice.

Songwriting resources

The Muse's Muse is a great resource for inspiration and honing your songwriting skills.
Sign up for their free ezine and read the informative articles on their website.

This is a "Must have" manual.

"How To Promote Your Music Successfully On The Internet" is a practical, workable affordable manual that every musician serious about promoting their music online should read.
David Nevue (the author) has a proven track record and demonstrated that it is possible to create a good income online from music, and he shows how to do this in his book.
There is no "fluff" it is all valuable, easy to understand material based on years of experience.
Highly recommended.
Also do check out the other excellent books featured in his bookshop.

Design- can make or break.

It is said you can't judge a book by it's cover.
But let me say one thing- The cover can determine whether a book gets picked up or not.
The same is true for CDs.
How a product is presented (which is what your music is - a saleable item) can determine if a potential customer picks it up and has a listen or passes your album by.
I personally put a lot of effort and money into producing my own covers.
It is well worth the extra investment either hiring a graphic artist, or if you are artistic doing your design homework before getting your label done.
If you intend on producing your own material from scratch using your computer I recommend visiting About.com for some helpful info.
You can find out more about graphic design and it's importance here
Take some time to view what artwork is out there for some inspiration(believe me there is heaps).

CD Baby - A fantastic place to start

For distributing your music online you can't go past CD baby
CD Baby has helped over 100,000 artists sell over $25 million in physical CDs, digital downloads, and live sales since 1998
I have been using these guys for a number of years now and have been delighted with their service.

For a simple $35 setup, CD Baby can get your music selling worldwide on cdbaby.com, Apple iTunes, Tower Records, Yahoo Music, Best Buy, Rhapsody, Napster, MSN Music and more.

Your CD will be available to over 2400 traditional retail CD stores in the USA. You get paid full retail price for these sales.

They keep only a 9% cut, paying 91% of all income directly to the artist. (For physical CDs, they keep $4 per CD sold.)

They also offer a number of other services and postings where you can get information about a range of music related subjects.
Definately a must visit for anyone serious about selling their music.