Making Digital more tangible.

[DannyBlack]

Just an Idea, probably just a gimick- but for those who have digital labels, why not sell your wares on USB flash drive?
Consumers get top notch music on a flash drive that will in the long run always come in handy.
I found a site that sells in bulk and will even print your name on the shell of it.
Actually, it would be kind of cool promo for the nights that you play/run...


Just an idea anyway. Probably silly innit.

[stjohn]

M_nus did that already, it as far as i know. not too sure if it woudl work tho.. unless somewhere down the line USB drives were a standard, and could be plugged into a soundsystem. it would just up the costs for no real reason other than that.

[DannyBlack]

Good promotion though all the same. Perhaps just to use on launch nights. Im waiting on a quote for some now.

[Kokotorobot]

some bands did this way ago as well, the timing is much better now given that many consumer home audio systems (panasonic etc.) have usb inputs, even new car audio players have a standard one...would be sensible to sell properly tagged mp3s/flac's with nice design, the actual issue is how much do flash drives cost in bulk? can you sell it under the price of a cd with a reasonable return?

[DannyBlack]

Good question, I'm waiting on a reply now from the company. I asked them for a quote on 100 256kb usb flash drives.

[fils_here]

the new cdj 400 supports flash drives/usb sticks
- good idea ;-)

[koma]

yes, Minus did this with their release of "EXPANSION - contraction"
but it was very limited series, just 30 copies

I'm sure the price was nice too, lol

[DannyBlack]

I'm pretty sure if you buy in bulk it wouldn't be so bad money wise. I could see it going down pretty well with the audience. In order to make money you have to spend money.

[RDR]

I had considered this, the issue is getting retaillers to take this and them also knowing how to market and deal with it. On the other hand, i've always liked the idea. I think it would be possible to encode the drives as well, but for some reason the big labels havnt bothered with it, i would like to know why....

[DannyBlack]

I think it would be great promotion, even if you did it for nights to launch new releases or labels. I'm still researching it, mainly because I am bored and would rather do this than work.

[acidsaturation]

How is this any different from a CD/MP3CD?

[RDR]

How is this any different from a CD/MP3CD?

it isnt really. its another gimmick. But then this world in which we love likes gimmicks....

and retaillers would love it, less space needed.

[steve loop]

I got portisheads new album on a pen drive shaped like a big 'P'

gimmicky as ****, but i love it :)

[DannyBlack]

got the quote on 100 of them puppies.

Hi Sid,



Many thanks for your enquiry.

Please find costs below as requested:





Popular Drive 2

100 x 256MB @ £2.75 + VAT per unit





The above price is valid for 5 days only and includes the following:



- Print on the drive in up to 4 spot colours on both sides

- Each unit supplied in a small windowed gift box with either a black neck strap or key chain included

- Free delivery to one UK address

[Kokotorobot]

that's a great quote, i wonder how much more expensive are the 512mb/1gb ones...seems pretty sensible, sell them for £8-£9 or so and you've got a sensible return

[RDR]

I might get me some of that action...

[DVNT]

Nice idea.

[DannyBlack]

Had me thinking cap on din't I?! Your welcome to it lads! Hope it pans out well, gimme some free music for my effort and we'll call it quits. :lol:

[TechMouse]

It's an interesting gimmick, but surely one of the big benefits of digital is freeing yourself from media.

[djshiva]

It's an interesting gimmick, but surely one of the big benefits of digital is freeing yourself from media.

maybe, but in this case you get a nifty flash drive to use in the process. ;)

personally, i think this would prolly go over best as a promotional tactic for large festivals and music conferences.