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Let Me Buy Your MP3s, Please

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MP3 is everywhere!

MP3 and digital formats are ubiquitous. Image via archie4oz

I’m old enough to remember when you bought everything on vinyl, or if you were unlucky, tried to find what you wanted on an 8-track. I saw cassettes come and go, CDs become the big thing, and now we’re into the era of the MP3.

The problem is, I often go to shows, both big and small, and find that if I want to buy your music at the show, I have to get a compact disc. This presents two immediate problems for me. The first is that I no longer listen to CDs themselves. I have everything burned to an MP3 at this point. So if I buy a CD from you, I’m buying something that’s going to sit, unused, in my apartment. The second problem is that I live in an apartment, so space is an issue.

By not having a digital download option at the gig, you've now put up a barrier that I may not feel like crossing in order to buy your album. Sure, if I love your sound, I’ll get the CD. But bands that don’t offer the digital option right then and there are losing out on potential impulse purchases. Let’s face it-you know you've gone to a show, thought the band was amazing, and grabbed a CD before your doubts set in. With so many listeners doing digital only, all those impulse purchases are lost.

By not having a digital download option at the gig, you've now put up a barrier that I may not feel like crossing in order to buy your album.

I understand the appeal of having a physical item for sale. There are many who want the CD (or even the vinyl) and will pay accordingly. I also know that some bands allow you to download online once you get home. But let’s face it, once you’re home, that new sound you liked is competing against the music you already own and the funny cat gifs your friend just shared on Tumblr. The show is where the iron is hot, and the best conversion will be at the merch table, not the audience’s computer.

MP3s and Coffee

MP3s and coffee! Image via ladislav

Offering a way for a new fan to buy in to your music via a digital download code makes sense in so many ways. For just a little coding work, you can make more than you’d get from your iTunes or Amazon cut because the fan is buying straight from you. Even if you just offer a discount code to an existing music store online, you’re still increasing your potential sales exponentially.

No matter how retro you are, it’s a digital world. People are coming to this site because they want to listen to your work digitally. Give them a way to buy it digitally at your shows, too, when the riffs are still fresh in their ears and the lyrics are echoing in their mind. It can’t hurt, but I’m sure it will help.

Editor's note: Want the opposite side of the coin? Read Rosie's five reasons to release music on casette.

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The post Let Me Buy Your MP3s, Please appeared first on Weekly Podcast | Weekly Podcast - We love indie music.


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