Bandcamp: viral distribution
There is a new network for bands called Bandcamp that is well worth your time. Artists can sign up for an account and create a page. Here are a few things that Bandcamp is doing that sets it apart:
Bands can sell their digital music (or give it away for free). When fans download your music they decide what format and quality to download the files in… Mp3, AAC, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC, or Apple Lossless. To accomplish this, Bandcamp requires that you upload the songs in AIFF or WAV format, and they handle the conversions.
“We provide fast, dependable streaming and downloads of your entire catalog, and we do it for free. Give away your music, sell it for a set price, or let your fans name their price — it’s up to you.”
You have the option of allowing fans to set the price of the downloads (think Radiohead), or you can set the price yourself. Provide your PayPal information to receive payments for downloads. At this point Bandcamp doesn’t take a percentage (they’re still determining what it’ll be, but promise it’ll be less than 15%).
Your music spreads in a viral fashion (Bandcamp is calling Viral Distribution), as fans embed your songs around the web. The audio players have an option to download the song, taking them to your Bandcamp page.
Check out 20 Minutes Loop for an example of a Bandcamp site.
Sign up for a Bandcamp site: http://bandcamp.mu
Watch the screencast for a demonstration of their features:
Bandcamp Screencast from Ethan Diamond on Vimeo.