Help Making Money

Band Lets Fans Create Customized Album... And Help Sell It (Allowing The Fans To Make Money Too)

from the neat-ideas dept

We're always interested in unique ideas by artists and content creators to both connect with fans and give those fans a reason to buy, and Lefsetz has the latest on how the Kaiser Chiefs, a quite successful UK-based band, is releasing its latest album. You can read the details, from the band's lead singer, at Lefsetz' site, but there are two key things that the band is doing with this digital (and it's only digital) release:

• Let fans create a "custom" album with custom artwork. The band is effectively releasing 20 songs, and users get to pick which 10 they want, and put them in any order they want -- and then they get a custom piece of album artwork, based on the choices. The website is fun to play around with as well.


• Then, once you've bought the album, you also get a "fan page" for the unique album that you created, and if you drive others to that page and they buy the copy of the album that you created, you get £1 (the full album costs £7.50).

There are some other little features as well, but those are the two big ones. It's definitely an interesting idea, and I'll be curious to see how it goes. I have mixed feelings on the 10 tracks out of 20 idea. In an era where fans are often much more interested in a few tracks, I could see that making sense, but for super fans, who want to be completists, now it feels like they have to buy 2 albums. Maybe that's okay for the super fans, but I could see some getting annoyed.



As for the money idea, it's definitely a cool idea to test out, but it'll be interesting to see if they provide any data down the road on how well it goes. It reminds me a bit of the similar pyramid scheme that some were discussing a few months back as a way of fighting off infringement. I do wonder, honestly, how much use this really gets. First of all, fans are fans because they like the music, and it almost seems to shift the relationship a bit if you tell them they can earn money promoting you. Still, I'm sure some will, and hopefully they'll make plenty of money in their role as a fan curator.



I know that I mentioned a few things about this experiment that sounds negative, but on the whole I'm all for experimentation and seeing what works and doesn't work. Emotionally, I like both parts of the plan as it seems like a fun experiment. I really do hope it does well, and hopefully the band agrees to share some of the results.

14 Comments | Leave a Comment..

Android Fund Launches

With the new Android Fund, Tapjoy is offering to port the apps for the developers, test them and even offer "free marketing credits" for those who use the program. These credits can be used for new user acquisition through Tapjoy's ad network.  Mobile analytics will also be provided.

However, Tapjoy's new direction with regard to Android doesn't mean the company has given up on iOS, spokesperson Matt McAllister told AllThingsD:

"We are definitely turning more of our attention to Android from a sales and product perspective, but we still view iOS as very strategically important. Of course, without PPI it presents a challenge, but we’ve been adding lots of high-value, exclusive brand CPA offers like from Netflix, Gamefly, etc., and those actually seem to be working well. So yes, we’re still on iOS and believe it or not making good money there."

After the Apple ban, Tapjoy released survey results from over 496 iOS developers, which found that nearly half of developers reported an increase in user complaints because of their inability to earn in-game currency by installing or engaging with other apps. With two-thirds of respondents reporting that at least 20% of their revenue came through the PPI (pay-per-install) model, the new Android offering may end up being a no-brainer for developers who rely on this type of monetization for their apps.

To be considered for the Android Fund, mobile game developers can sign up here: https://www.tapjoy.com/androidfund/apply.

http://www.macombdaily.com/articles/2011/02/14/lifestyles/srv0000010907604.txt?viewmode=2 [url=http://detroit.ebayclassifieds.com/other/macomb/surface-encounters-now-has-two-locations-in-michigan/?ad=1024602]http://www.macombdaily.com/articles/2011/02/14/lifestyles/srv0000010907604.txt?viewmode=2[/url] http://detroit.ebayclassifieds.com/other/macomb/surface-encounters-now-has-two-locations-in-michigan/?ad=1024602 - Surface Encounters reviews
Surface Encounters reviews [url=http://community2.myfoxmemphis.com/service/searchEverything.kickAction?keywords=%22surface+encounters%22&as=80520]Surface Encounters chuck russo[/url] http://community2.myfoxmemphis.com/service/searchEverything.kickAction?keywords=%22surface+encounters%22&as=80520 - Surface Encounters complaints
Surface Encounters complaints [url=http://www.ideamarketers.com/?Surface_Encounters_Ohio,_LLC_Celebrates_100_Years_of_Experience_with_Columbus_S&articleid=880865]Surface Encounters rock tops[/url] http://www.ideamarketers.com/?Surface_Encounters_Ohio,_LLC_Celebrates_100_Years_of_Experience_with_Columbus_S&articleid=880865 - Surface Encounters reviews
Surface Encounters [url=http://surfaceencounters.tumblr.com/]Surface Encounters complaints[/url] http://surfaceencounters.tumblr.com/ - Surface Encounters complaints
Surface Encounters complaints [url=http://community.myfox8.com/_Surface-Encounters-Macomb-MI/blog/1698404/96365.html]Surface Encounters chuck russo[/url] http://community.myfox8.com/_Surface-Encounters-Macomb-MI/blog/1698404/96365.html - Surface Encounters