How to sell more CDs as an artist
When it comes to selling your CDs; the hard-earned physical reincarnation of your music, you must remember to actively promote, show and talk about your release. Your fans want to hear about your new CD. They want to be in the loop and know what’s happening with their favorite band.
Through our work with artists and by watching their efforts to sell CDs we have put together 8 steps on how to sell your CDs more successfully.
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Announce future release and start taking pre-orders to collect funding for CD manufacturing. Offer incentives for early contributors. |
| 2 | Use social media to showcase the new CD with pictures and updates. |
| 3 | Sell CDs during gigs and inform the audience through short announcements. |
| 4 | Spread the word about the new CD through word of mouth. |
| 5 | Use paid advertising to reach a wider audience and target fans. Set up a Facebook advertising campaign and include a call to action. |
| 6 | Print flyers with band info and CD purchase links. Take them to gigs, festivals, cafes, and give them to people you meet. |
| 7 | Bundle the CD with other merch, such as t-shirts, at a slightly lower price to offer fans a good deal. |
| 8 | Collaborate with other artists to sell each other’s CDs at gigs and show support for each other. |
1. Announce future release and start taking pre-orders
This is a good way to collect a little money to fund CD manufacturing. Many people are willing to pre-order your release, even knowing they’ll have to wait for it for some time.
The feeling of being part of the band by contributing to the project makes many people feel proud.
You can announce your pre-orders on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube etc and also on your own website. Ideally, record a short movie to introduce the pre-orders and let fans know how they can contribute to the funding. You can add something extra (signed copy of the CD, band’s badge etc.) for all the early contributors as another incentive.
2. Use your social media to showcase your CDs and sell them
It’s staggering how many bands actually don’t do this. Your social media channels are where your fans are. And you can post your updates daily for free.
So why not put up a picture of your new CD?
Take as many pictures as possible of you holding your CD, your CD next to your guitar, in the studio, on its own, your fans holding the CDs etc. The possibilities are endless, so make sure you have tons of pictures ready to be posted and post them!
As long the picture isn’t repetitive, your fans will love them, giving them the impulse to buy.
3. Selling CDs during the gigs
Having your CDs available during gigs is obvious, but don’t assume the audience knows about it. Having your merch stand is a must but make sure you tell your fans about it.
Halfway through the show, make a short announcement about your CDs being available to buy at your merch stand.
This will inform them about it and make them think about buying your cd after the gig. This is a brilliant way to sell your CDs to the ideal audience: people who came to the show and enjoyed your music.
We wrote an entire blog post on how to sell more CDs and vinyl during live shows.
For the price of one pint, they can take away your music and believe me; they will!
4. Spread the word about your CDs
Make sure you talk about your CDs. To your friends, your family, and people you just met.
Word of mouth is a strong medium, and you shouldn’t ignore it. You never know who will pass on the message and inspire someone to buy your release.
People love to recommend bands, and if you talk about how excited you are about the CD, people will get that vibe and pass it on to their friends.
5. Paid advertising
These days paid advertising is pretty affordable, and what’s more important, it’s very easy to set up and target your fans. Don’t think about it as an “evil” way to promote.
Your fans want to know about your music so help them know about it! Your Facebook page posts only get to about 10% of your fans via organic reach. That’s why it’s so essential to invest little in paid reach.
The most effective way to advertise is to set up a Facebook advertising campaign and target it to people who liked your page and their friends. This way you can be sure your ad gets to the right audience (people who already declared they like your music) and their friends (people who likely have the same or a similar music taste).
Set up your campaign to spend £1 a day (yes, that’s right, only £1) and run it for 2 weeks. Spending £14 is well worth it, especially when you can make this back (and then some) with the CDs you will sell as a result.
Make sure you include a call to action e.g. “Get your copy now!” followed by the direct purchase link.
6. Print flyers and sell CDs
You can get flyers printed with your band’s bio and info about the CD for a very reasonable price. Ensure the design is eye-catching and includes all the relevant links where people can buy your CDs.
Take the flyers wherever you go, gigs, festivals, cafes etc. and leave them where you can. When you meet new people,, this is a perfect way to give them something they can keep and hopefully connect with your band later.
7. Boundle your CDs with your other merch
Humans love a good deal, and one of the best ways to get a good value for your fans is to bundle your merch. If you sell t-shirts, bundle them with your CD and lower the price slightly. That way, your fans get a good deal, and you still sell your CDs and other merch at a profit.
You can bundle everything. From mugs, lyrics sheets, behind scenes experience to vinyl, private videos and more. Be creative.
7. Collaborate with other artists in selling CDs
You probably know a bunch of other bands who have their CDs. Why don’t you team up together and sell each other CDs at your gigs?
Having someone else’s CDs at your merch table shows your support for that band and gives an excellent recommendation.
Hope that was helpful!
Thanks,
Tom
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Hey, I’m Tom, and I’ve been involved in the music industry for over two decades now! I help bands produce top-notch records by lending my expertise in CD manufacturing, music business and mastering. But that’s not all – I also have a soft spot for writing and sharing knowledge with others. I hope you’ll find the content I create enjoyable to read and that it provides some valuable insights into the world of music.
