Thanks for the responses guys. I can honestly say that this is my favourite guest forum on Gearslutz so far. The fact that Jules has you all here makes me, as an independent musician, instantly give kudos to you all. And that is part of what's behind my post. You guys may know you're the good guys offering genuine services that are equitable for both sides, but as musician it's tough to see the trees for the forest. I am bombarded by offers of various on line music promo/distribution/booking/placement every week. So many of which are plain dodgy.
Even taking an evening out to read the various T&C's and offers of the big players to find which one suits best can leave your head spinning. No one expects it on a silver platter, but simply getting informed can feel like pulling your own teeth.
Derek Sivers: The reason I ask for opinion is because after a long break from music and a cynical attitude towards traditional labels/distribution, the whole concept of online distribution really, really, really appeals to me but it's hard to make an informed decision about which route to take when the options seem to grow by the week. I've got a couple of months to decide and I intend on doing what I choose to go with 110.9%. So I want to get it right. If my post was overly facetious I apologise, but I'm still going to ask questions because I want to learn more.
PeterTuneCore: Great info, thanks. To answer your question, my idea of absolute minimum success is a self sustainment. Basically, enough to live on at an average level, pay the accounancy/admin/tax bills, and be able to finance further recordings and all the promotion and marketing around them. Is that the level I wish to aim for? No bloody way. BUT, it's the base level I'm enquiring about the feasibilty of.
I don't want to be an online version of the band with 5,000 CD's in boxes under their beds. I never was, and I could tell that band how to get their ass into gear and what to do that worked for me. But online? I'm not as confident. It all feels so new. Exciting? Absolutely. But I personally don't want my music to be a casualty during the net's R&D of online distribution. So, perhaps like a lot of other musos, I'm trying to get my head around it all. And I really appreciate a forum like this alot.
Here's a pie in the sky thread I started on this a while back. Maybe it'll one day happen!!