If you could make a record company's website, what would you want on it?

[God]

Dear All:

If you could redo or make a record company's website, what would you want on it? What would you want from it? Would you want some interaction between company reps and people lurking on the site? What could you think of?

Here are some things that I think would help, tell me what you think:

1. Articles/News how unsigned artists can develop themselves.

2. Industry Interviews, A&R discussing questions fielded from people online.

3. Free MP3 download snippets.

4. Exclusive content?

5. Online store?

6. What else???

Please, post your suggestions!

Sincerely,
God

 

[boneyboys]

Maybe something from the artists saying how they got a contract would be interesting, but I guess with major labels being so controlling or artists image it wouldn't be that revealing. If that could be done truthfully it'd be a good read

 

[God]

Thanks for the reply.

The thing is, don't consider it for a major. Just what would YOU like on ANY record company's website?

Sincerely,
God

 

[1d3nt1tY]

A voting system for their current artists and a place to see the full sales statistics for each artist, more than just catch words like "platinum" or "gold" you know? That would be the shiiiiiiiit.

Also a good idea, downloadable wallpaper for your pc is good, something related to the favorite artists...

 

[God]

Thanks a lot for the reply.

Lookin' for more input!

What would you want on a record company website if it could be made the way YOU like it!?

Sincerely,
God

 

[J-malice]

better contacts. not just receptionists numbers.

more direct forum interaction.

 

[God]

Thanks for the reply. Would you want info on how to "make it in the industry" and stuff like that on the site?

Sincerely,
God

 

[Copenhagen]

1 & 2 from your list could perhaps be an idea.

I'm sure record companies get plenty of material without having a section about "making it", so even though it could be nice for some people, I cannot see the purpose for a record company to indirectly guide people to sending more stuff. Does that make sense?
Anyway, it could be an idea for them to be very specific about what they do want from the people who send in material, so that they and the people sending in don't waste their time.
However, I like the fact that the industry is a jungle and that everybody doesn't know how to approach the labels etc, that way only the ones who are really serious about finding out will have a chance.
Today, everybody and their mama makes beats, so if everybody also knew how to approach labels etc, the industry would be even more flooded with people, which isn't to our advantage.

Personally, from a record labels point of view, I only see one purpose for a site, and that is to sell more. So, they should have details about their artists like bio, discographies, music and video sample clips, newsletters, wallpaper, galleries, tour info, interaction between the artist and their fans, a link to their online shop on every page etc etc.

 

[God]

Thanks for the info.

The site is about selling a product. But if you could keep people on the site longer, so they stay at the website longer, would be an ad asset.

Keep it coming with the suggestions. Thanks Copenhagen.

Sincerely,
God

 

[boneyboys]

For the online shop follow the warp records model - http://www.warprecords.com/bleep/
Cheap downloads, very little licensing limitations, a fair system for all. Tis nice stuff

 

[Freakwncy]

my thoughts...

The main thing that keeps me at an artist website is the exclusive stuff... weather it's a tracks, music videos, video interviews, or photos. I'm going to be there....Many of the websites include that type of stuff already, but the only thing that it lacks is keepin it current....that's why I love illmuzik. Fade does a great job of keeping everything current almost like the news....Who wants to go to a website and the exclusive single is a trk that's been on the radio non-stop for the last 3 months...that's nothing new....or their photos are album cover shots....nothing new iether... I want to see new and current events like MTV News....KEEP IT CURRENT....yes it's a hassle, but hey I think it be worth it....the consumer would always know that the NEW AND LATEST events would be posted on that site...now for videos...these artist make all this money and you're tell me, that they can't nor can the record company afford to do video diaries... to hell ... I'm sure SONY would give FREE cams to all of Def Jam's artists if they would get some plugs and a banner maybe....I'm not talking every living minute of their lives, but maybe inbetween break during recording sessions... or when they're going out to lunch...or chillin inbetween albums...trying to write something new and they're having writers block... TELL US... "yo. this is MC SO&SO and I'm chillin, just trying to wrk on my new ALBUM, THE ALBUM and I'm having some writers block, see people I'm real, just like you....etc. etc..." People would love that....it would be "KEEPING IT REAL" so to say....so now w/ the photos... w/ digitals out now... cheaper than ever..... 2 sec. to snap a pic... and all they have to do is give it to the website designer and they can pic and choose from the snapshots....FREE MP3 snippets are a GREAT idea... I've bought my last 2 new CDs because I could sample the WHOLE album and decide, BEFORE I paid my money(and I'll D/L parts of an album if I dont think the WHOLE album is worth my money)....(Domos. are almost the price of Imports now, DAMN)" I think MP3 downloading will continue until people can feel like they're getting their money's worth when buying a CD... either drop the price to sale more, and tell the artist to suck it up, or give us more like DVDs and better material..."....just my thoughts on that.....for exclusive trks give us the stuff that didnt make the albums or the ones were they decided at the last moment to change the beat...

This are just my thoughts on your question, I hope they help you in your inquiry.

 

[God]

Thanks a lot for the in-depth commentary and the link. That was great.

Keep the suggestions coming! This is interesting.

What would you want on a record company website? This is your chance to say it!

Sincerely,
God