CDs as promos | streams & downloads are now more convenient
I’m thinking of handing out printed color CDs as promos with some scan codes on them allowing peeps to link to mixes or www if they prefer. I did printed CDs when I played house and indie electronic music about 5+ years ago but I’m not sure how effective CDs might be now. I’d like to hear from anyone that’s done this recently.
At events/festivals, I’ve seen CD’s handed out. It’s probably good marketing for those kinds of things. Truthfully, I still haven’t listened to the two I picked up when I last attended something and saw CD’s. I follow the cats on soundcloud though based on the info on their promo CD sleeves.
I’m sure I’m somewhat of a standout but I no longer own an optical disc drive. If I ever need one for some reason I can borrow one from work for the day but that hasn’t actually happened.
Thanks for the feed back @ImNotDeadYet. I’m debating whether or not to invest in CDs. I understand CDs are not so commonplace anymore which is why I’m thinking of putting QR codes on the disc. However I recently was handed a CD and excitedly listened to it during my commute. Also something I wasn’t doing 5 years ago since I would get so many of them.
I found out that handing someone a physical copy of a mix (rather than a card with a link to a download) gets people to listen to your music. Personally, having a new soundtrack for the ride home after a fun-filled night is a great thing to have and to remember you by. Making CD’s is not as expensive as they used to be. A good CD printer can be found <$100 and you can but 100 pack of printable CD’s for $20.
I use to own a CD Printer/ Recorder with a robotic. i got great use out of it as I also did CD print jobs for other local DJs. I was thinking of investing in one again or maybe buying large quantity of manufactured/printed recordable CDs. @EliotHan where did you get your stickers and postcards printed?
I found a great deal on stickers through https://stickerguy.com/ … the turn around time is long but for the quality and quantity you get for the price, it is well worth it.
As for the business cards, I use vistaprint (but I upload my own .png file).
Before I start a New Thread
I live in new york and I have tried the CD method of getting my stuff heard but in the end nobody really adds me on soundcloud or listens to my stuff they alway leave the CD’s behind or on floor and Im like WTF! lol
I get alot of the I don’t own a CD player or I don’t got a car but thanks…
So I was thinking of having something like and Itunes style card where they go to your site enter a code and get a download of your mix or song…
I was googling today and stumbled across this!
http://www.dropcards.com/
well this sounds great! and was wondering is there alternatives to this or cheaper was to achieve like downloading streaming service???
and has anyone here used dropcards??
Thanks
Johnny
Everything is moving away from physical media. Everything is either iphone, ipad, android, etc. Looking at the big picture, you want people to check you out online, facebook, twitter, instagram, etc… I think a card the size of a cd insert or a sticker with a QR code would be more affective in thr long run than a CD that has to be burned and printed and put in a case that will ultimately end up on the floor. At least when the card ends up on the floor it doesn’t cost as much.
True I realized that lately with my CD distribution.. The CD distribution has worked for people with cd players… but honestly my car has a cd player and aux I have used that damm auxx hundreds more times than the car cd player 
As mentioned on here already an alt to drop cards would be a QR code. A QR can link to an app, website, facebook and or any other URL. I’m working on some flyer designs in postcard/ flyer layout and then something along the size of a buss card each with diffent QR codes. I want to track what works best. I’ll be hitting up a music festival and plan to hand these out there along with CDs. From experience, it’s always best to handout cds as the event ends and ppl are leaving. I learned to create full color CDs in a clear plastic inserts. If ppl know what they are getting up front chances are it won’t end up on the floor and if they did I was OK with it. The ppl that listen and then visit your site afterwards are the ones you want to reach because they are the ones most likely to share your content.
I only use CDs in my car these days, I listen to most my music on my phone or stream on laptop or tablet at home. So depending on your budget I think CDs are can still be worth it, but I think you’ll reach a wider audience through streaming. As it becomes cheaper to listen to music on your phone when you’re in your car I’m not sure for how much longer it’ll be worth it burning & printing CDs
I’ve just done a CD run of 100 CDs a few weeks ago for a friend who runs a big local car cruise, the feedback I have got back from this has been awesome! A lot of people still have CD players in there cars and use them regularly, obviously this cd has links to my SoundCloud, event page and a little info on an event I help run, £33 for 100 CDs colour inkjet printed then £5 for 100 CD wallets is all it cost.
I could have done with a lot more CDs as I have had a lot of requests for more so I uploaded the mix to a private SC link and made it available to the closed Facebook group of the car cruise, 1500 plays in just over a week from just the targeted audience which is 90% people who have never heard me DJing or heard of the events I help run
Have you thought of using thumb drives. You can buy them in bulk and also have them custom made.
That’s great to hear Jeff.
Nick I tried thumb drives. They were the most expensive option of all and even in bulk. The response back was almost none. I tried it a few ways with a few local mixes and an html page linking to my then twitter, FB and www and then when that didn’t work I tried a very simple flash program that would run and load mixes or redirect to links for FB etc…
The hard part about this is, some people don’t trust plugging anything into their computer.
As anyone tried using an App service??
Also I think the best is lets say I give a card it says a number to txt to…That person txts that number receives a link where they can stream or donwload that mix or song! and also gives you the option to follow all their social links
is there a service like that please let me know asap lol I work in the restaurant business and we have a service like where you txt a number to sign up for points and our customers sign up because they usually get a free meal first time when sign up!!
I still do CDs, although not usually more than a hundred copies. half the people I talk to would rather just have a card with links to soundcloud.
My question is… is this legal? Although you’re mixing the music is it legal to distribute?
No.
