I was out last night at a with some friends, and I started thinking. People can dance for free. People can dance in public for free. People can even dance in a semi-private place (one’s house?) for free. Why do people pay to go out dancing, then?
The difference isn’t in the price, as many of the old-guarders would have you believe.
…It’s in the experience.
When you go out dancing, it’s fun to be surrounded by people — some less familiar than others. It’s something you can’t experience on your own in your living room. And, in my experience, neither cash-strapped students nor wealthy-ish professionals mind dropping at least $10 or $15 in a night… before drinks.
Don’t get me wrong: there are free clubs, and some of them are pretty popular. Yet when it comes to birthdays, special events, or simply going-out-dancing nights, almost everyone I’ve seen chooses to head to the paid venues instead.
Stop thinking about what you can do to make your fans pay, and start thinking about what you can do to make your fans want to pay.
June 3, 2008 at 11:47 am |
I like this post. It hits the nail on the head!
Labels need to stop whining about the fact young people are unwilling to pay for music and actually work out a way that will engage with them and make them willing to pay for music again. perhaps teaming up with music promoters and giving away CDs at concerts whilst getting a larger share of ticket sales may be a way forward? Albeit in my mind that would further devalue recorded music in the eyes of the consumer/music fan.
I will be adding your blog to my blog roll as I like it lots.
Would be great to get your thoughts on my blog: http://themusicvoid.com
Also I have hosted a panel at CMW for the last two years and will hopefully being doing so next year as well.
I think you may like this article on my blog:
http://themusicvoid.wordpress.com/2008/05/27/why-do-record-labels-spend-so-much-on-marketing-to-the-younger-demographic-with-the-lowest-disposable-income-instead-of-adults-with-a-larger-disposable-income/
Cheers,
Jakomi