A band that I enjoy listening to recently decided to put out another album. However, they did not want to go through the record labels and all the shenanigans that come along with that. They decided to do a crowd funding campaign to pay for their studio time and it’s really neat.
This is the second band I follow to do this. They started this movement yesterday and they are already at 75% of their goal. That is the power of fans and a unique marketing angle.
What makes crowd funding an interesting concept?
It’s not the fact that people donate money and get a cd. Anyone can do that, it is about the cool features that you get if you help fund the artist.
A quick example, is you can get a signed guitar from the band or you can get up on stage and play a song with them. If you are so inclined you can buy a package and they will name a song after you!
Those packages just scratch the service, but it hits at a larger point.
They create unique experiences and price them as such. Create a limited supply and post them on their crowd funding website.
Unique experience – check
Limited supply – check
Reward fans for loyalty – check
Maintain artistic freedom when creating a new record – check
Thinking outside the box to drive loyal customers to your product – check
They didn’t take the usual, trampled, crowded and beaten road to “success.” Maybe we shouldn’t either.
Make it the best day!
-K
Eileen and I are fans of Kina Grannis for similar reasons. First of all, she has a beautiful voice. Secondly, the record label that signed her wanted her to change her style and songs to conform to what they wanted. She said no and started the YouTube thing and now tours from the popularity she gained, being herself.
I love that more bands are able to do things like this through different channels to stay true to their dreams.