online release...

[//\/\/]

...suppose it makes good ££££ sense, doesn't it? no manufacturing, distribution, or shops taking their cuts...

[King of Snake]

I'd like to see a figure at some point of how many people are actually buying it...
Is it gonna be mostly the hard core fans or will they be able to sway the casual listeners with it as well? time will tel...

[stimpee]

There are of course, hosting costs, bandwidth costs and less exposure as negative aspects. The reliance of your customer having internet access and finding out that there is a new UW release too, but yes lots of costs cut in the process.

[Ally]

For me the important aspect is the elimination of a bunch of bodies who contribute nothing artistically. All we need are the facilities to make a high quality hard copy with the download we've paid for - ie a proprietary image format for the disc and a cheap printer capable of printing to disc surfaces, a device which would surely pay for itself over time.

[Hoevenen Lion]

I can't buy it because I don't have a visa card.

[gambit]

I wouldn't be surprised if 10-15 years down the line more albums/singles are released for purchase for online download. Right now, you definitely have to worry about lack of exposure and your customers having internet connections.

[//\/\/]

Originally Posted by Hoevenen Lion

I can't buy it because I don't have a visa card.

pop music's fergettin' da kidz

(i mean - i doubt my parents would've given me the money if they knew specifically which albums i'd be spending the money on.)

[froopy seal]

Originally Posted by stimpee

[...] and less exposure as negative aspects. The reliance of your customer having internet access and finding out that there is a new UW release too, but yes lots of costs cut in the process.

In my opinion, this is the biggest problem regarding the money-making part of online sales. I myself often come out a store having bought cds I hadn't heard of before and found by luck while listening through the recently released stuff. Guess this happens to quite many people (am I wrong here?).

Especially those who aren't either fans or really into the electronic music scene will have trouble finding out about web-only releases. And, what's more important, they won't be hit by the (often unnerving, yet nonetheless effective) merchandising machinery.

Of course, all this might change in the future when new ways of distribution will have been established by routine. But I feel that might take a while ...

[potatobroth]

Originally Posted by froopy seal

In my opinion, this is the biggest problem regarding the money-making part of online sales. I myself often come out a store having bought cds I hadn't heard of before and found by luck while listening through the recently released stuff. Guess this happens to quite many people (am I wrong here?).

Especially those who aren't either fans or really into the electronic music scene will have trouble finding out about web-only releases. And, what's more important, they won't be hit by the (often unnerving, yet nonetheless effective) merchandising machinery.

Of course, all this might change in the future when new ways of distribution will have been established by routine. But I feel that might take a while ...

along these lines, ive been using my iTunes music store as way to sample different music i never would have heard before. you can listen to 30 second samples of EVERY song they have to offer. so just run wild and listen to all the bands you hear about but never actually hear. in this way, online sales can be HUGE.

regarding how UW is doing it, i cant believe they expect to sell millions this way and i imagine its not in their plan.

[froopy seal]

Originally Posted by potatobroth

along these lines, ive been using my iTunes music store as way to sample different music i never would have heard before. you can listen to 30 second samples of EVERY song they have to offer. so just run wild and listen to all the bands you hear about but never actually hear. in this way, online sales can be HUGE.

Agreed, there are various possibilities to have a free listen to unknown music. But some people - at least the older/"neophobic"/conservative ones - are unlikely to stumble across these new-fashioned, internetty possibilities. Again, this will probably change in the future. So somebody hast to make a start and I'm completely fine with UW being the ones.

Originally Posted by potatobroth

regarding how UW is doing it, i cant believe they expect to sell millions this way and i imagine its not in their plan.

I don't think so either. Should have expressed that more clearly.