Generation DIY: BROKE?! DON'T FRET
posted in: Features
So let’s see, you got together a good group of guys (or girls), wrote some rockin’ tunes, but now you want to record and release the songs to the public? Let’s face it, money doesn’t grow on trees. How are you going to fund your album? There are many ways to do this but the two that I’d like to focus on are Kickstarter and The Hector Fund. Grab a notepad, cup of coffee (or decaf tea for all of you vocalists out there) and let’s get down to the financial side of things.
Since this is the age of the entrepreneur, investors who believe in a given project’s success will fund new creative ideas. Just like an inventor, bands have investors ” fans who support and follow their careers, giving what they can to fuel a project. Companies like Kickstarter give creative people a chance to raise money for their projects on their own unique page without having to beg and plead. I mean, how many times have you clicked on a Paypal “donate now!” button on a band’s MySpace page? It’s all about security and the feel-safe-effect that sites like this offer. You create a profile and project portfolio that showcases exactly what YOU want and what YOU need giving potential investors all the information they need in order to make their decision. I’ve personally seen many artists ask for $5,000 or more to tour and achieve these goals in a very short period of time. Check out all the different features Kickstarter has to offer. You may just get what you wish for.
There are no limits to what you can fund, whether it be to record and album, get a van and tour or buy new equipment. For example, internationally-known band Radiohead released their album In Rainbows and gave fans the option to “name your own price” for a digital copy. Since it doesn’t really cost anything to put the album online (no packaging, printing, shipping etc.) it’s quite easy for artists to offer these kinds of promotions. While it’s much easier for a band of Radiohead’s caliber to pull something like this off, there are many ways to help get your band rolling.
The other great site to check out comes courtesy of Artist-funding Agents The Hector Fund. Sites like this offer bands a chance to submit a proposal of what they need to achieve their personal goals and have an Artist-funding Agent sit down with them to create a plan. From getting enough money to record, tour, create a digital marketing plan or just simply pay your rehearsal space rent, the guys at The Hector Fund are here to help.
These are two great sites that I know have helped bands. If there’s a site that you know about or a success story you want to share, please comment and let us know!
Until next time, Generation DIY. Keep the dream alive: This is YOUR year.