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An Inkling of a Plan
Volume 5, Issue 4 - August 1, 2001
Hey Folks,
I hope everybody is well and enjoying their summer. All is well here in
Peekskill and the Treehouse is looking good, but I have some important
business at hand and I need your input and advice.
I've given this a lot of thought, so here goes:
I'd like to record another album (CD) over the next year (as opposed to
waiting another decade and a half). In order to raise the necessary funds,
I've decided to raise money, in advance, directly from my fans and supporters
(in other words, you!) by pre-selling the next CD.
To accomplish this, upon the album's completion, I plan on pressing '2,500'
'Limited Edition' copies of the 'next CD' (Sorry, it doesn't have a name, yet,
because it hasn't been recorded!). These 'Limited Edition' copies will be
individually numbered and signed by yours truly (me) and shipped, prior to
general release, sometime within the next 24 months.
Everyone that orders a copy will receive a certificate identifying you as 'an
astute judge of quality songwriting and musicianship' and 'an ardent supporter
of independent music'. Obviously, in order for this plan to work, a good
percentage of you will have to actually participate. (That is - cough up your
hard-earned cash! Ouch!)
Which brings me to a crucial question: how much? That is, how much money would
you be happy and willing to pay, in advance, to make it possible for me to
record the next 'Dean Friedman' album?
Determining the ideal price is critical because...
On the one hand, if it's too low, I'll never raise enough to record the album,
especially as there are only 3,000 email addresses and, realistically, I
expect significantly less than half of you to actually order a copy. (Don't be
insulted or anything - that's just the nature of email.)
On the other hand, if the price is too high, many of you that might want to
participate would be precluded from doing so, with similar results to the
above (the project would fail due to lack of funding).
Then again, on the 'third' hand, (never assume there are only 2 hands) I have
seriously considered the option of letting each of you decide for yourselves
what you are able and willing to pay for a signed 'limited edition' copy of
the 'next' Dean Friedman CD. This approach holds some obvious inherent risks.
In fact, it smacks of 'communism' for goodness sakes! Before you know it,
we'll be starting a music cooperative or getting group rates for health
insurance! But, hey, you are the audience after all, so don't you think you
should have some kind of input into the process?!
See my dilemma?
There are 3000 people on my email list and it seems to me that given the power
of the internet it should finally be possible for enough of you to join forces
and coordinate your spending power in order finance the production of this
album project. (If you wanted to, that is)
I believe it's possible to accomplish this, but I know that in order for it to
happen I have to figure out the right price to make the formula work.
So, I'd like to ask your assistance in this matter. Please give some thought
to the questions below and email me back as soon as you can, because, frankly,
I'm itching to get back into the studio.
It might help to keep the following in mind: I'll need to raise at least
$50,000 to do this, which breaks down in a few different ways:
500 people x $100 [£70] = $50,000
667 people x $75 [£52] = $50,000
1000 people x $50 [£35] = $50,000
2000 people x $25 [£18] = $50,000
It almost seems doable, right?
Of course, a few generous contributions from a handful of 'comfortably
well-off' benefactors or 'sponsors' could also make up any (inevitable)
shortfall. (hint) In fact, this type of 'sponsor' made my last two UK tours
possible (thanks guys). Anyway, you see what I'm trying to accomplish here;
your feedback will prove invaluable and your participation, well... it can't
happen without you. (Oh, the pressure!)
O.K. So, here goes:
Question 1: Would you be willing to pay in advance for a signed, numbered
'limited edition' copy of Dean's next CD?
a. Yes, sounds like a cool idea and creative use of the internet and a
discerning audience.
b. No, tell Dean to stop bothering us with his goofy emails, forget all this
songwriting/record nonsense and go get a 'real' job like everybody else!
Question 2: What's the most you'd be happy and willing to pay for Dean's
'next' CD:
a. $25 [£18]
b. $50 [£35]
c. $75 [£52]
d. $100 [£70]
e. Other amount?: $_____ or £______
Question 3: Do you think it's plum crazy to let each of you decide for
yourselves what you're willing to pay for the next CD?
a. Yes
b. No
Question 4: Do you think Dean would be much better off trying to sell
homegrown 'bubblegum' seeds over the internet?
a. Yes
b. No
c. What the hell are 'bubblegum' seeds?
............................................................................................................
Well, that about wraps it up. Here's the way I look at it: If I have to work
for anybody, I'd rather work for you guys than for some stupid record company.
And if this wacky idea works, I'll actually be able to spend the next year
making music (and fixing up the Treehouse, of course) instead of
whatever-the-hell-else-it-is-I-do to make a living. Make sense?
Well, thanks for your input by answering all these questions and for all the
other stuff you do, you know, like listening to the songs and coming to gigs
etc..
Now, if you could just help me figure this all out, I'd really appreciate it!
All the best.
Your singer/songwriting penpal,
Dean
dean@deanfriedman.com
http://deanfriedman.com
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