The theme of the readings for today has certainly been one of the “Power of the People.” Give the people what they want and they will reciprocate. This new media era is not one where the record labels can tell us what we like and give us only producer driven bands with mainstream options. This is not France, and the label (NPR) is not Marie-Antoinette, and I did not hear, “Let them eat cake!” This is the era of the people, by the people, for the people! This is America!
Coulton is has simply produced what people want, it happen to be what a large amount of people wanted and still want. The traditional music industry seems a bit nervous and a little intimidated by the producers like Coulton. If the power is no longer held by the traditional gatekeepers, then it must be held by the people who pay. This paradigm shift is the fear and loss of money and ultimately control. Coulton and artists like him do not have to pay a middleman, distributor, producer, post production people, etc. The money goes straight to him. Fans love this and frankly, so do I. I am much more likely to spend my money when I know where it is going. If I am supporting an artist and in turn they provide me with something I love. It is a “winner winner chicken dinner!”
Coulton apparently had good luck getting picked up by Slashdot, but he is by no means a fluke as NPR would have you believe. The truth is, his idea can be replicated. It will not work for everyone, but neither does purchasing a franchise based on a model. There are tons of variables in business that can make provide you with challenges unique to you and your product. Basing other products on this model will work as long as the product has the same properties. There must be a great product, hard work, a good plan, diligence, persistence, marketing and a dash of luck!
We are no longer seduced by cr@p and we can choose for ourselves what that actually means, ask for it and / or create it. So, listen up labels! We don’t need the “cake” you are dishing out, we just want the “bread” $$$ we deserve!
I totally agree to the "tons of variables" you brought up. Maybe those are just what you in general might also call luck: The blessings or fates in life that remain uncontrollable. I think some people tend to see Coulton's business model to applicable to any other person that does creative and good stuff, who is driven and has a ceratin sense of business... If it would just be that easy.
ReplyDeleteI think so too. Coulton surely had good luck by getting picked up by Slashdot. I could imagine, that there a lot of other similar models in the internet. In addition to talent and management, you just need a kind of luck, that gatekeepers take notice of you.
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