Question for Label Owners (Past & Present)

nightsblood · Post by **nightsblood** » Mon Nov 22, 2010 4:09 am

Is there a certain 'time frame' in which it's beneficial for you to sell copies of a new release? For example, if you do a pressing of 1000 copies, does it make a difference in any way if you...

a- sell 950 copies within the first 2 months, then only have about 50 left

b- sell 100 a month for 10 months

c- Sell 400 the first month, 100 the 2nd month, 75 the third month, 50 the next month, etc etc etc

I'm sure instant sell-outs would be ideal

But does it impact you in any way if something sells slow and steady instead of disappearing quickly?

I ask b/c I tend to put off buying new releases. A bill comes up, or a vintage item on ebay appears, and I think, "oh, I'll pick up that new release next month". Next thing I know, I've put it off for 6 months

Just wondering if, in terms of supporting a label, it matters that I order later rather than earlier.

Thanks for any input

doomedplanet · Post by **doomedplanet** » Tue Nov 23, 2010 7:33 pm

the sell rate impacted me greatly. I had a few releases that sold very quickly, so the follow on releases also happened faster as a result. I didn't have to waste my time flogging the last copies, I could focus on the label. And had the money back to do the release, The last releases sold slow, so that in conjunction with other events on my life it was the death knell. The final nail in the coffin was the stupidity of the USPS in eliminating surface mail.
My suggestion is getting that new release you want now. There are 4-5 that have come out recently I have not been able to get since I hesitated.

Sgt. Kuntz · Post by **Sgt. Kuntz** » Tue Nov 23, 2010 7:46 pm

I never run a label myself, but i think it's like in every branch, you have to sell as fast as possible, always. Storing hundrets and thousands of LPs is probably the most frustrating thing for a seller!

Also if you sell out fast, then maybe you'll get a reputation for it, people think, "hey, if i don't buy it in the first week, then i might miss it and have to pay twice as much on eBay". Metal Supremacy had that and also Iron Kodex with their first releases.

Alan, always leave some financial reserve, you never know what kind of opportunites/deals might show up. So i say "don't buy".