I like how this is a twist on the old music label agent. Where artists would hound them with demos ande whatnots hoping to get discovered. One interesting take is the fact that artists are being charged money without much explanation as to what they will receive. I'm not implying that this is a scam. No sir. My point is that one should at least have more information available from the website. Maybe a little FAQ page would help convert those people who may have any doubt about this.<p>Now, artists are quite an unique market. They will gladly pay for this type of service. I'd say you should test charging more, because $20 dollars might come off as being too cheap. I think $99 is a good number to test. Enough to only bring in serious prospects and not hinder the aparent quality of your process.<p>The record labels list would be better served with their logos. Record labels are powerful brands. Artists dream with having those logos on their productions.<p>Though I'm curious about the business model here. I can assume you will take <i>n</i> amount from the profits of an artist whom you discover. Do you aim to represent the artist or merely just introduce them to people in the industry?<p>I hope you are ready to sort green M&Ms. ;)
Smart move to charge $20 up front to eliminate the majority of crap - definitely keep charging (and don't forget to A/B test your pricing).<p>My hunch is that you'll have to provide more than just another artist's opinion for the $20.<p>Consider additional value you could bundle up for the $20, and create a 'killer offer' that you believe in, and that provides excellent value for the artist. Play with the parameters you bundle into the offer to make it absolutely irresistible. A/B test the offer of course.<p>Some ideas for bundling additional value into the $20 price:<p>1. Offer to make it a video review, and transcribe it as well.
2. Publish both the video and transcript on one (or all) of your web properties with links to the artist's website and top social media handles. Get the artist who does the reviews to also link to the artist being reviewed.
3. Create a 'discovery' directory with listings of each artist who paid the $20 for their review - I'm curious to find out about these artists myself - even the ones you don't want to promote - the $20 is an effective filter for both you and I!<p>Cool idea, and I LOVE to see people taking some risks and innovating the business model for music.
My sister is an artist (<a href="https://soundcloud.com/hannahwerdmuller" rel="nofollow">https://soundcloud.com/hannahwerdmuller</a>) and I would like to front her $20. The website as it stands looks like a lottery, mostly because of the "if we like it" component. How can I reassure her and get her to agree to submit her music to you?
I don't like the facebook connect where it says Hipset can post on my behalf. Isn't it possible to give basic info but ask for permission later on if/when there's something to share?
At the bottom of the page it says:<p>"Forbes: Hipset Is Next Generation Music Site >>"<p>...which seems like it would be a link to the article. But I can't seem to click it. In fact, I can't even find that text in the DOM, which is confusing me something fierce.
I submitted a track from my band. If you don't like the track or don't think it's promotable for whatever reason, will you give me that specific feedback? I'd like to have that feedback vs. a form letter, especially if I pay $20.
I want to sign my artist up for this, he has a pretty large fan base i'd like to know more. i added you on fb my name is Jada Brown and i'd like to chat. i know Mazy btw. I dnt mind the $20.
Tons of blogs will review your music for free and give you exposure.<p>Charging for <i>maybe</i> access to an old boys network of major labels <i>if</i> some random person likes it, is really taking advantage of peoples hopes and dreams.<p>Please ditch this idea and start a label, zine or venue instead. Something that will actually benefit artists and the art world.