Three weeks ago, I launched a kickstarter to fund my band's debut EP. We're a six-piece groove jazz band playing music I write and arrange. Here's our soundcloud page. The band is comprised of trumpet, alto sax, trombone, piano, drums, and myself on bass.
Yesterday, with about 49 hours to go, we hit our target of $2,600. 68 people from all over the US and two other countries came together to support our cause. There are many reasons why we were successful, and I'd like to share.
The first reason we were successful is because we had a reasonable goal. I've recorded on several albums lately. When I asked those bandleaders how much they had spent so far on the album, their numbers were in the $7000-8000 range. I knew that that was a little to far-fetched for us crowdsource, so I started crunching some numbers. What I enjoy about recording jazz music is that all musicians are recorded simultaneously. This differs from most music recordings in that normally, each musician is recorded individually. You can only imagine how much time is saved using the former route - and that's the route we're going. To record 5 (maybe 6) tunes, we're only going to need two days in the studio (May 31 and June 1).
By trimming the fat in this way, and in various other ways, we were able to cut down our goal to $2,600. And, mind you, in that budget is a $200 payout to the other five musicians.
You all likely know the next reason we were successful: hard work. Just about everyday for three days I sent out private messages like a madman. Everyday I would spend about two hours sending anywhere between 10-20 private messages via email or Facebook asking friends to help out with whatever they could. Each of these messages was personalized. Everyone knows when something is copy and pasted, and that doesn't lead to a connection. This time and care does not go unnoticed.
A third reason why we were successful is that we never gave in to doubt. Anyone who tells you they never felt even the slightest bit of doubt when running a crowdfunding campaign is lying. And that's especially true of Kickstarter which runs on an all-or-nothing platform (as compared to GoFundMe or IndiGoGo in which any money raised is kept). Sure there were times when we weren't sure we were going to make our goal. But if we had let that get in the way of progressing, certainly we would never have reached our goal. There are other reasons too, but these are the main ones. Logical goals, hard work, and confidence. I think that in any area of life, this is a recipe for success. The tracks should be ready to share by mid-late July and I'm really looking forward to sharing them with you.
Peace,
BLOB
The main reason you were successful is that people are generous. But they can only be generous towards that which they know about. That's my experience, at least. There's an old adage in sales "you don't ask, you don't get." Nice work asking. I donated. I look forward to recieving the music. Did you factor in the cost of mixing and mastering? Will there be vinyl?
Yeah that's certainly true. I've heard similar adage that I can't remember now but essentially the same thing. I asked a lot haha! Yup, mixing and mastering is factored in. I haven't looked into vinyl, but I'll definitely look into it. I was not looking into CDs.
You're in Oregon, right? Cascade Record Pressing opened up near Portland last year.
Looked into it, thenewgreen was interested in vinyl too. I didn't get all the way down the list of fees and already the price of vinyl was 5 times that of making CDs which well exceeds the budget.
Maybe just do a digital release? I think CD's are a waste these days. They sound great but not a lot of people are buying them. Either way, I look forward to hearing the finished work. Have fun!
The nice thing about CDs is that while yes no one is buying, they can work like business cards.
Hey, just as an aside, some places will print you digital download cards. they can literally be a business card. that's what my old bad did (in conjunction with an amazing sounding but unpopular vinyl release).
Hmm, that's not too shabby of an idea. Although, I'd only want to hand out so many free copies of the album. But I suppose those business cards with the download codes could be limited. I like your ideas coffee, I like your ideas a lot. What was the vinyl release unpopular? Hit me with a link if it's still up
The Vinyl was unpopular mostly because it was expensive - because pressing vinyl was expensive. It was mostly done, IMO, as a legacy project for the singer as well as her dad who was the big money behind the record. this is the album here:
I hear that. Instrumentation sounds dope though. What'd you play on the album?It was mostly done, IMO, as a legacy project for the singer as well as her dad
I played bass! I sang backups a little too. it was a fun project, and they were all a lot of fun to play with. shame that a.) i had to go away for school and b.) the drummer and singer couldn't get their egos out of the way.
That's an expensive business card. Get a thumb drive with your name/link on it... or an actual business card with a free download on it. Even many cars don't have CD players anymore. I sold most of my first albums CD's. I still have boxes of the second one because it was right at the cusp of people going digital.... at least that's what I tell myself :)
Yeah I saw that I a lot of popular bands are selling thumb drives of their discographies and what not. I really like CDs though, haha. I still buy them and it's always nice when small local bands are selling them.
Yeah, vinyl is stupid expensive but considering the limited number of manufacturers and the complexity of the process it makes sense why. CDs are way cheaper and tapes are basically dirt cheap and you can dupe them yourself if you have the right equipment.
Yeah I'm living in Portland. Will definitely look into this.
How are you providing a physical copy if you're not looking in to vinyl or cd? Tape?
Yeah you think so? I'll look into that. We're only looking to record about 5-6 tunes. But I guess they'll each be about 7 minutes each. Papa Hubski, I think you're onto something...
Definitely. There are more shops selling vinyl these days than there are CD's. Not many people are actively buying cd's, while vinyl has had quite the resurgence. Also, big, full cover art. Liner notes etc. pop in a little slip for a free digital download code of the album and you're good to go. Do it! Sign mine ;-) remember, I knew you back when you were dumpster diving and weren't yet a big shot...
Hahaha alright man I'll look into the costs and see if it's comprobable