| Now, that you are familiar and likely connected with | | | | todramatically reduce the number of returns that are |
| onlinemusic sales sites, such as CD Baby, or | | | | acommonality with retail consignment and distribution. |
| combinationonline/offline retail sites, such as The | | | | The less returns, the more money you make (and |
| Orchard, you areprobably comfortable in having your | | | | keep). |
| music distributionand sales fairly covered. | | | | Additionally, you will see where I have limited the |
| But, what if you could get even more music sales, | | | | numberof units to five (5) at any given time. This is to |
| andeven more profitable income? | | | | ensure thatthere are just enough copies that should |
| I'm speaking of consigning your product to retail | | | | sell with noproblem within a 30-day period, especially, if |
| stores,but, with one exception...consigning your product | | | | you alreadyhave promotion and publicity occurring in |
| nationally,or even internationally. | | | | the retailer'sarea. This limit also ensures that you have |
| For all concerned, "consignment" means placing | | | | enoughproduct to reasonably service enough retailers. |
| yourmusic in retail stores on a trial basis, then | | | | Also, with this limit, re-orders are more likely to |
| collectingpayments when it sells, with the retailer | | | | occurbefore the end of your 30-day periods. This type |
| keeping a portionof your sale. | | | | of retailactivity looks really great to traditional |
| You see, as consignment goes, most musicians | | | | distributors who,after seeing your product's retail track |
| whoconsign their music to retailers, usually limit | | | | record, may contactyou to inquire about carrying your |
| theirconsignment territory to only local retailers, or on | | | | product. This will giveyou stronger bargaining power |
| aregional level at most. Their reasoning is that any | | | | with them, as well as widerdistribution, than if you did |
| largerarea will be too difficult to manage. | | | | not have retail product availableand moving. |
| But, that is simply not so, and they are losing a | | | | And, even if distributors do not call, this will allow you |
| fantasticamount of money by limiting themselves to | | | | toapproach them with an attractive sales history and |
| their localregions. | | | | trackrecord. |
| So, I am going to show you how you can easily | | | | Also, be sure to provide local retailers with two copies |
| consignyour music to retailers and be able to collect | | | | ofthe consignment form to sign (carbon paper |
| paymentsfor sales every thirty days (or so) via a | | | | between twooriginal copies still works) so that both |
| "step-by-step"process. | | | | you and the retailerhave copies. |
| It is important to note that the consignment process will | | | | 5. As for retailers outside your area, or local retailers |
| bemost successful if you are already receiving some | | | | thatprefer to use the online consignment form, be sure |
| degreeof promotion and publicity results, such as radio | | | | thatthey download, sign and either fax or mail the form |
| airplay,press coverage, video airplay or through your | | | | to you |
| musicbeing played in nightclubs via record pools, of | | | | *BEFORE* you send them product. This creates |
| which Ihave addressed in a previous article. | | | | aninitial record and verification of a purchase request. |
| Otherwise, you may find your ability to move your | | | | Youthen, in turn, sign the form then return a copy to |
| productfrom retailers' shelves almost as difficult as if | | | | the retaileralong with his order. |
| you did nothave product on them. And, if you do not | | | | 6. When sending retailers product, be sure to |
| have somedegree of promotion or publicity, whether | | | | *ALWAYS*send your product via some shipping |
| you have hiredsuch a service, or you choose to | | | | tracking method. Iwould, personally, use the Certified |
| conduct it yourself,practically, the only way that you will | | | | Return receipt servicewith the U. S. postal service, and |
| experience sales ispurely by retail customers' | | | | I believe that the U. S.postal service also now has |
| accidental discoveries of yourmusic. | | | | tracking for 2nd Day |
| So, ready? | | | | Air/Priority mailings as well. |
| 1. Concentrating on retailers (both major chains | | | | These particular services are probably the |
| andindependents) in areas where you are getting | | | | leastexpensive services on the market, but they will |
| radioairplay, video airplay, press coverage or any other | | | | ensurethat your product doesn't get lost or stolen en |
| formof promotion or publicity, contact retailers in these | | | | route to theretailer. They also ensure a record of the |
| areaswho your distributors may not service. One of | | | | retailer havingreceived your product for those few |
| the bestup-to-date online sources to use, particularly, | | | | unscrupulous retailersthat may not wish to pay for |
| for the U. S.is | | | | your product if they receivedit by first class mail, but |
| This is the online version of the Yellow Pages, and | | | | would sell it and keep its profits. |
| youshould look in such categories as "Compact Discs," | | | | 7. At 30-day intervals, contact your retailers, whether |
| "Compact Disc Retailers," "Music Retailers" or | | | | inperson or via telephone, to inquire of any sales that |
| similarcategories. | | | | haveoccurred. While you can pick up payments locally, |
| 2. You may prefer to visit local retailers in | | | | youshould have distant retailers forward you a check |
| person,introduce yourself and make them a | | | | forpayment that corresponds with the number of unit |
| consignment offer,such as the amount that you will | | | | sales. |
| need from each unit sale,etc., and how often you will | | | | You could also have them pay you online via a |
| need to collect payment forany sales (usually every | | | | creditcard through PayPal, or another such online |
| thirty days is the normal timeframe). Retailers will also | | | | service. |
| expect you to make a writtenagreement available to | | | | This would eliminate lost/stolen checks through themail, |
| them that spells out the terms ofthe consignment. | | | | while guaranteeing your payment quicker. |
| 3. As for retailers outside of your local area where | | | | 8. If, for example, within a 30-day period, you have |
| youare already getting promotion or publicity, you can | | | | threesales, with two unsold units with a retailer, you |
| simplycontact them via telephone and relay the same | | | | have thechoice of either waiting for the remaining two |
| informationthat you do with local retailers in person. | | | | units to sellprior to forwarding more product to the |
| In both cases, you should direct them to your | | | | retailer, or you canoffer to forward three more units to |
| website,whereby hopefully, you have your music | | | | the retailer. However,it is probably best to wait until the |
| streaming forthem to listen, as well as have a bio and | | | | two remaining units sell. |
| other importantinformation regarding you and your | | | | 9. In either above case, once all five units have sold |
| project. | | | | atany given retailer, begin the complete process |
| You are also free to utilize the retail consignment | | | | over,starting with the retailer signing or faxing another |
| formthat I have already created, and which you can | | | | copy ofthe consignment form in order to ensure |
| download,customize with your own information, then | | | | accurate salesrecords and sales continuity for your |
| upload to yourown website, that is freely available at | | | | project. |
| 4. Once you have uploaded your customized version | | | | Note: Should your project begin to experience a |
| toyour website, your retail accounts can then | | | | largesales volume, you may wish to hire someone, i.e., |
| simplydownload it from your site, or you can fax a | | | | astudent or intern, to work this aspect of your project, |
| copy to themif they prefer. | | | | andwhom you can pay a commission for each sale. |
| You will also note that I have included discounts | | | | This willeliminate your need to pay hourly wages or |
| forretailers within this 1-page form that are designed | | | | salaries, andwill further save you money. |