Part I - CDs and Tapes - September 1999
By Jim Norris

Online shopping is growing at an explosive pace so if you have released a CD make sure you are not left out. Millions of consumers have found online shopping to be an easy and convenient way of satisfying their music needs.

   As well as information on your act and tour dates, bios etc., you can make your CDs and tapes available at your website. Purchasers can pay by cheque or preferably set up a credit card account with secure transactions. Of course you will have to deal with the hassle of processing and shipping orders.

   Many of the traditional retailers now have commerce websites and some of these will handle indie product. Try HMV (www.hmv.ca), Tower Records (www.towerrecords.com),  CD Plus (www.cdplus.com), Chapters (www.chapters.ca) and A&B Sound (absound.ca). Contact the stores and  sell them on carrying your product both online and offline.

   Strictly online CD retailers have had massive success worldwide and many will consider indie product. Visit Amazon.com (amazon.com), CD Now (cdnow.com), CD Universe (www.cduniverse.com), CD World (www.cdworld.com), Mass Music (www.massmusic.com), Music World CD (www.musicworld.com) , CD Warehouse (www.cdwarehouse.com) and Rock.com (www.rock.com). For even more check Yahoo (www.yahoo.com) under “Business and Economy > Companies > Music > CDs, Records, and Tapes”.

   At many of these CD sites,  you can become an affiliate. When you get your product placed, become any affiliate and you will earn  a percentage of sales referred to their site.. Put a link to your own CD on your website and avoid the problem of order processing and shipping. 

   These tips will only work, of course, if your CD is of good quality and there is some demand for your music from the buying public.
If you have any questions, send me e-mail at

Next issue – marketing downloadable music.

Resources

• The Music Industry Career Center has been established by Sweetwater Sound. The site is for music and audio employers and music industry professionals to search job listings and post resumes. The service is free and is located at www.music-careers.com.
• Vic Firth Inc. have launched their new website at www.vicfirth.com. The new site includes a complete product listing, information on Vic Firth artists, an educational section including articles and back issues of their newsletter and press releases. Vic’s Basement will feature live chats with artists, drumming tips, and an area for feedback, thoughts and stories.
• A great site for educators, Music Expresso allows Band Directors to hear band and orchestral works using Realaudio, view them with Adobe Acrobat and purchase securely online, download and play immediately. Composerrs can contribute to the site and visitors can download free educational software and demos. Visit at www.musicexpresso.com.
• If you operate a website, and are looking for ways to increase your traffic, visit the Internet Marketing Center at www.marketingtips.com/t.cgi/6171.
• Theatre-link.com is a resource site for everything related to theater technology. You can browse the index, search the site, join a discussion forum, leave your comments or add a link to your website. Visit at www.theatre-link.com.
• Johnson Amplification has established a new website at www.johnson-amp.com. Featured are interactive sound bytes for all products, downloadable software updaters featuring new presets and patches and contests to win free products. Product literature, manuals and reviews are downloadable in Acrobat format and information on artists, playing tips and press releases are included.
• Music Books Plus has greatly expanded their catalogue and now features online over 3,000 books, videos and CD-ROMs on music, recording, audio, songwriting, MIDI, multimedia  and the Internet. You can join the electronic newsletter or request a printed catalogue online at www.musicboooksplus.com
• Norris-Whitney Communications operates The Music & Audio Connection, the international on-line resource for music enthusiasts, musicians, music and audio professionals. Included are classified ads, products for sale, company showcases, discussion forums, associations, music education, music & audio resources, career information and file libraries. Updates to the site are available by e-mail or on The Pointcast Network Visit at musicandaudio.com . For more information, e-mail to , Fax (905) 641-1648 or call (905) 641-3471.
•