we did Dogtag USB Drives with our tunes on them... sold them expensive too $30, we keep a Lap top at the merch table for numbers anyway, so we update the drives with any new tunes for free at our shows if you own a Dog Tag Drive. works great. when we do our release parties fans buy a ticket knowing they get the tunes for free once there in the venue.
As an up-and-coming band looking to connect with your fanbase and generate revenue outside of live shows/merchandise sales at shows, it's essential to consider selling merchandise that aligns with your brand and resonates with your audience's preferences and interests beyond just your music. Some merchandise ideas could include branded clothing items like t-shirts, hoodies, hats, and bandanas; accessories like phone cases, guitar picks, stickers, posters, vinyl records, and CDs; and unique items like handmade instruments, custom-designed guitar straps, or limited-edition merchandise for special occasions or events. Ultimately, the merchandise you choose to sell should reflect your band's style, values, and audience's preferences while also providing a profitable return on investment.
Anything exclusive to certain gigs I'd actually a cool idea, even something as simple as selling an album with alternative album artwork specific for certain gigs is cool, maybe including an extra song on it as well will make it stand out too, and these things can help you to justify bumping up the price slightly die to there exclusivity.
Hey Damian! Just wanted to update you since I wrote a comment when I hit 1k subscribers. You were right about the next 1000 being a lot easier. I'm on 2.3k now about a month and a half since then! Still keeping up with all your videos, they're really insightful. Thanks for all the content!
Great ideas! All bands should brain storm about the fan experience and ideas for expressing their message and style on a regular basis as they would rehearse their actual music... I think bands that take the business around the music as seriously as the music itself are the ones that separate themselves and get into position to be not just heard but to be embraced by the public and fans alike...
Hey Damian. I'm 16 year old girl drummer and I'm in a band, playing a couple of gigs in the cornish local music scene. Do you have any tips for bands in the early stages. Also we were wondering if you had any solution for stage presence on really small stages as a lot of the festivals we play have stages where you can barely fit on the stage ? thanks so much and i love your videos :)
I just bought my first physical cd in 3 years. Only because the album wasn't available on streaming platforms. At the same time, the cover art is bad ass.
Recently I bought 200 digipacks for my CDs after doing a 10 day giveaway (thanks to your channel for giving me the giveaway idea!). It was a success but idk how to set up my website agh! Also I fear not selling them because it’s so hard to tour right now! Thinking of making a merch table with only 1 of each thing to start, and since I’ve released so many originals already, doing merch based off my different 18 songs: 3 Weeks Ago: a Calendar Book. Cup of Joe: hot & cold coffee mugs that say “You’re My Cup of Joe”. I actually might do ones I paint myself from this pottery place. I might sell some kind of expensive canvas paintings with positive quotes based off my music, since I’ll have put hours into making them look good & it’s a fun hobby of mine. I’m also not sure if I should include old clothes in some way since I have so many to get rid of and they aren’t all that nice. I suppose I could sign the ones I don’t want idk? Or make them into masks? Other ideas: a T-shirt that says “When life gets you down... Spin Around” with a dog chasing its tail in the corner. Colors of the Twilight: a pride pin with the bisexual flag. Best Friend (It’s Your Birthday): a signed birthday card with lyrics from the song in it, and maybe even a recording of the song when you open it. What Do You Want this Christmas, besides what money can buy?: some kind of Christmas wish-list, maybe like a white board with washable markers. I’ve also been thinking about food/coffee gift cards for chain restaurants but not sure if I can do that. Anyway, just a few ideas. Thanks for helping me brainstorm by posting this video!
How big should the band be before they start selling merchandise? There are many videos encouraging bands to sell merchandise and we sell t-shirts, custom art, and CDs, but it's still requires a large investment of time and energy for very little return. I spend way more time preparing to sell merch than we do actually selling merch.
are you promoting/featuring your merch anywhere online? Not for the sake of online sales....packing/shipping...setting up like that isn't worth it when you haven't made a mark anywhere yet....Instagram is a great place to roll out your merch.... sadly people love to get stuff that is already "approved" by others so they think it will make them cool.... so when things have a lot of comments and likes they are more likely to come to your show with money set aside for your merch booth. Facebook is BEYOND DEAD compared to what it use to be for bands.... instagram is pretty happening. If people are seeing your merch online they will recognize your merch table from a distance and want to see what it looks like up close. Some venues stick merch booths in the worst spots...so this will help....might want to go as far as bringing your own lighting.
What do you think the best way to sell merchant online is? Direct to customer, all in one store like band camp or something like shopify and I ship them myself?
we did Dogtag USB Drives with our tunes on them... sold them expensive too $30, we keep a Lap top at the merch table for numbers anyway, so we update the drives with any new tunes for free at our shows if you own a Dog Tag Drive. works great. when we do our release parties fans buy a ticket knowing they get the tunes for free once there in the venue.
hey that's an interesting idea!
As an up-and-coming band looking to connect with your fanbase and generate revenue outside of live shows/merchandise sales at shows, it's essential to consider selling merchandise that aligns with your brand and resonates with your audience's preferences and interests beyond just your music. Some merchandise ideas could include branded clothing items like t-shirts, hoodies, hats, and bandanas; accessories like phone cases, guitar picks, stickers, posters, vinyl records, and CDs; and unique items like handmade instruments, custom-designed guitar straps, or limited-edition merchandise for special occasions or events. Ultimately, the merchandise you choose to sell should reflect your band's style, values, and audience's preferences while also providing a profitable return on investment.
Anything exclusive to certain gigs I'd actually a cool idea, even something as simple as selling an album with alternative album artwork specific for certain gigs is cool, maybe including an extra song on it as well will make it stand out too, and these things can help you to justify bumping up the price slightly die to there exclusivity.
Hey Damian! Just wanted to update you since I wrote a comment when I hit 1k subscribers. You were right about the next 1000 being a lot easier. I'm on 2.3k now about a month and a half since then! Still keeping up with all your videos, they're really insightful. Thanks for all the content!
DUDE! Memory sticks!!! Thank you for that idea! You just gave me a HUGE idea I could do for that. :)
Bro, I have been stressing this point like crazy, that’s how we are releasing our next project
Before Damo even started talking I was taken aback by how good the lighting and background colors are.
I wish someone would be excited to hangout with my band before a show x.x
Your videos always make me think outside the box! Thank u 🙏🤘🏽
Great ideas! All bands should brain storm about the fan experience and ideas for expressing their message and style on a regular basis as they would rehearse their actual music... I think bands that take the business around the music as seriously as the music itself are the ones that separate themselves and get into position to be not just heard but to be embraced by the public and fans alike...
Hey Damian. I'm 16 year old girl drummer and I'm in a band, playing a couple of gigs in the cornish local music scene. Do you have any tips for bands in the early stages. Also we were wondering if you had any solution for stage presence on really small stages as a lot of the festivals we play have stages where you can barely fit on the stage ? thanks so much and i love your videos :)
I just bought my first physical cd in 3 years. Only because the album wasn't available on streaming platforms. At the same time, the cover art is bad ass.
Recently I bought 200 digipacks for my CDs after doing a 10 day giveaway (thanks to your channel for giving me the giveaway idea!). It was a success but idk how to set up my website agh! Also I fear not selling them because it’s so hard to tour right now! Thinking of making a merch table with only 1 of each thing to start, and since I’ve released so many originals already, doing merch based off my different 18 songs: 3 Weeks Ago: a Calendar Book. Cup of Joe: hot & cold coffee mugs that say “You’re My Cup of Joe”. I actually might do ones I paint myself from this pottery place. I might sell some kind of expensive canvas paintings with positive quotes based off my music, since I’ll have put hours into making them look good & it’s a fun hobby of mine. I’m also not sure if I should include old clothes in some way since I have so many to get rid of and they aren’t all that nice. I suppose I could sign the ones I don’t want idk? Or make them into masks? Other ideas: a T-shirt that says “When life gets you down... Spin Around” with a dog chasing its tail in the corner. Colors of the Twilight: a pride pin with the bisexual flag. Best Friend (It’s Your Birthday): a signed birthday card with lyrics from the song in it, and maybe even a recording of the song when you open it. What Do You Want this Christmas, besides what money can buy?: some kind of Christmas wish-list, maybe like a white board with washable markers. I’ve also been thinking about food/coffee gift cards for chain restaurants but not sure if I can do that. Anyway, just a few ideas. Thanks for helping me brainstorm by posting this video!
This video is fire.
Spot on
Nice tips
Wow, that was mind blowing!! Greetings from Colombia!
Was it laziness or did bands find that "unique" simply didnt sell? I almost bought a BFMV dream catcher. But the 80 dollar price tag was a no go.
How big should the band be before they start selling merchandise? There are many videos encouraging bands to sell merchandise and we sell t-shirts, custom art, and CDs, but it's still requires a large investment of time and energy for very little return. I spend way more time preparing to sell merch than we do actually selling merch.
are you promoting/featuring your merch anywhere online? Not for the sake of online sales....packing/shipping...setting up like that isn't worth it when you haven't made a mark anywhere yet....Instagram is a great place to roll out your merch.... sadly people love to get stuff that is already "approved" by others so they think it will make them cool.... so when things have a lot of comments and likes they are more likely to come to your show with money set aside for your merch booth. Facebook is BEYOND DEAD compared to what it use to be for bands.... instagram is pretty happening. If people are seeing your merch online they will recognize your merch table from a distance and want to see what it looks like up close. Some venues stick merch booths in the worst spots...so this will help....might want to go as far as bringing your own lighting.
Like an update on this
Thought this was going to be advice for young/small bands and then all of a sudden you started mentioning arenas and talking about signing guitars 😅
What do you think the best way to sell merchant online is? Direct to customer, all in one store like band camp or something like shopify and I ship them myself?
i am researching this to, i think its best to have it built into your website to avoid people clicking off your site
Sextoys...
As long as it's branded! Maybe I will look into Damian Keyes nipple tassles. Thanks for the idea!
@@DamianKeyes have a look into "bdsm paddles" I'm sure there's a manufacturer somewhere who could customise them to leave a band logo ass print