INDIE ARTIST INSIDER #017
Merch

Welcome to a brand new feature here at SongCast, the Indie Artist Insider.  Every week, we will post a new video containing tips, tricks, and sound advice on how to succeed in the music business.  We will start off targeting those who are new to the music scene and progress into topics for the most seasoned and veteran musicians.

FOR MORE AND MORE INDIE ARTISTS, MERCH IS BECOMING A BIGGER AND BIGGER SOURCE OF BAND REVENUE.  WITH SALES OF PHYSICAL MUSIC, SUCH AS CDS, ALMOST NON-EXISTENT AND ONLY VINYL SHOWING AN INCREASE OF POPULARITY AS FAR AS PHYSICAL FORMATS ARE CONCERNED, FANS ARE MORE LIKELY TO BUY A BAND SHIRT, KEY CHAIN, STICKER, OR OTHER ITEMS, TO SHOW SUPPORT.   TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS.

EVERY TIME YOU PLAY A SHOW, YOU SHOULD HAVE A MERCH TABLE STOCKED WITH MERCH, SHIRTS, STICKERS, KEY CHAINS, ANYTHING YOU CAN AFFORD TO PURCHASE AND UPSELL TO MAKE A PROFIT.  MAKE SURE YOUR MERCH IS ATTENDED TO AND SOLD MY A TRUSTED FRIEND.  MAKE SURE INVENTORY IS TAKEN BEFORE AND AFTER EACH SHOW AND THAT SALES ARE TRACKED.  FIND OUT WHICH ITEMS ARE SELLING, WHICH ONES ARE MAKING YOU THE MOST PROFIT AND KEEP GOING IN THAT DIRECTION. 

DISPLAY THE MERCH IN A WAY THAT IS ATTRACTIVE AND EASY TO VIEW.  HAVE PRICES EASILY VISIBLE.  MAKE SURE YOU HAVE CASH HANDY TO MAKE CHANGE AND ALSO HAVE A CREDIT CARD READER FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT CARRYING CASH.   SQUARE READERS ARE CHEAP AND EASILY ACCESSIBLE AND CAN BE USED WITH MOST MOBILE PHONES.  OFFER DEALS, BUY A HOODIE GET A CD FREE.  ADVERTISE A MEET AND GREET BEFORE A SHOW, WHERE FANS CAN MEET YOU AT YOUR MERCH TABLE.  GETTING FANS TO THE TABLE WILL RESULT IN SALES.  

FROM POSTERS, TO CLOTHING, TO MAGNETS, STICKERS, ALWAYS BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THE THINGS THAT WILL RESONATE WITH YOUR FANS AND LOOK FOR THE BEST QUALITY AT THE LOWEST PRICE.  BUYING MERCH IN BULK CAN REALLY REDUICE THE COST PER UNIT AND INCREASE YOUR PROFIT MARGIN.  BUY IN BULK, IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT AND KNOW THE ITEMS WILL SELL TO YOUR FANS.  

IN ADDITION TO HAVING MERCH AT SHOWS, OFFER MERCH FOR SALE ON YOUR WEBSITE.  WEBSITE STOREFRONTS ARE VERY EASY TO SET UP, WITH TEMPLATES AVAILABLE VIA PLACES LIKE WORDPRESS.  

USE MERCH TO MAKE MONEY!  USE MERCH TO PROMOTE YOUR MUSIC!  THIS REVENUE STREAM IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER AND CAN MAKE YOU SOME MONEY, IF YOU APPROACH IT IS A SMART AND REASONABLE WAY AND GIVE YOUR FANS ITEMS THEY ARE INTERESTED IN. 

If you have any topics you would like to see covered on the Indie Artist Insider, please email host Joe Kleon at promotions@songcastmusic.com